The locomotive shed at Bridgnorth on the Severn Valley Railway has reopened this morning after a £475,000 project.

The project was completed on time and included a new roof, LED lighting, and a crane to help save staff time and money.

The money required for the project was raised through the SVR Charitable Trust, which attracted thousands of donations and awards from organisations and grants.

An extra appeal by the SVR Charitable Trust raised another £16,000 in two weeks towards the cost of an epoxy resin floor coating to provide a safer surface for staff using the shed.

Jenny Constant and her husband Graham were amongst the invited donors. She said, “We’ve been in here so many times and seen how dark and wet it is, and we thought this is something that would benefit the work force from day one.

“We can’t offer practical help as volunteers but we can offer financial support, and we’re glad to do it. We feel part of the SVR family and are made to feel so welcome.”

Fellow donor Robin Childs added, “I saw the impossible conditions that people here were working in. They’re preserving the locomotives that I love, so giving some money to the new roof and facilities was obviously going to help.”

“The difference the translucent sheets have made to the light inside the shed is remarkable,” said volunteer project manager, Antony Bartlam. “Paired with the new lighting, this will make a positive difference to the working environment. The fact that we now have the crane in place will make lifting heavy components much simpler and easier, and will avoid the complex shunting operations that used to be necessary.”

“The expertise that Antony has brought as our volunteer project manager has been key to the success of this work,” said Helen Smith, the SVR’s managing director. “He’s delivered this major project on time and on budget. A special thank you also to the many other volunteers who’ve assisted at different stages; without their help we would have faced much higher costs. This is a wonderful example of teamwork at the SVR, and is truly something to celebrate.”

“We are extremely grateful to everyone who has donated to fund this much-needed project,” said the CT’s executive director Shelagh Paterson. “Because of donors’ generosity, the SVR now has a lighter, brighter and safer workplace, helping to safeguard the future maintenance and overhaul of its steam locomotive fleet.”