The Severn Valley Railway has announced changes to its timetable from the end of May, which will see earlier trains in the morning as well as an extra steam service on selected days.

The announcement follows on from a review into the services and a ‘careful’ start to the season, which saw a reduced timetable in operation in order to reduce costs.

Starting from the 27th May, an extra steam hauled service will operate on Timetable B on 56 days and will predominantly be operated by GWR Pannier No. 7714 with up to seven coaches.

Timetable B will be in operation over the half term holiday as well as other selected dates up to early November. The additional service will make one round trip each day, departing Kidderminster at 12:45pm.

Whilst the SVR will advertise this as a steam service, the railway says it may use a heritage diesel for occasional operational reasons.

The new Timetable B will also feature an earlier departure from Kidderminster at 10:00 (and a subsequent departure from Bridgnorth at 11:55).

On the remaining days, apart from special events, a revised Timetable A will operate, which is set to start on the 8th June. This will see an earlier first departure from Kidderminster at 10:00.

“We’re adding an extra steam-hauled service to Timetable B on 56 selected days, starting on 27^th May,” said managing director Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster. “We took the decision after a great deal of careful consideration, and the constant monitoring of services so far this season. The additional round trip has been added for sound business reasons, in order to enhance our passengers’ experience. It will comprise up to seven coaches in order to be suitable for haulage predominantly by 7714, our smaller pannier tank engine.

“The careful start we’ve made means we can now add these additional services, working within the budget we have set for the year. However, we will continue to focus very closely on our operating costs at all times. The use of the revised Timetable B will remain under continual review, and if necessary, further changes may be made should costs rise again, or should visitor numbers not meet those forecast. It remains crucial that we only operate fully profitable services. In our current financial situation we simply cannot afford to expose ourselves to any more risk than absolutely necessary.

“The addition of an extra service on the revised Timetable B will give passengers more choice about how they spend their day with us, as well as helping to smooth out loadings throughout the day. These features are the driving forces in its introduction.

“We’ll be making announcements about footplate experiences in due course.”

“Whilst we are delighted to be able to introduce these enhancements to our scheduled services, it is important to remember that the SVR is still fighting for financial survival,” said SVR chairman Chris Walton. “Our £1.5 million Survival Fund appeal is going well – at the time of announcing these timetable changes we’ve already raised £230,000, and donations are coming in every day. However, there is a very long way to go until we are on the other side of our difficulties. We are managing the situation on many different fronts, and timetabling is one of the key components.”