The Severn Valley Railway‘s ‘Steam into Stories’ event on Saturday 13 April has proved so popular that the heritage railway has recruited two extra storytellers.

The first session of the day, featuring award-winning writer MG Leonard, has already sold out. Leonard, whose real name is Maya Gabrielle, has written books including Beetle Boy, Beetle Queen and Battle of the Beetles.

With the first session fully-booked, SVR has now arranged more book-reading, arranging for two writers – Uncle Brow Brows and Claire Ambler – to travel on the 10.45am from Kidderminster, the second departure of the day, which returns from Bridgnorth at 2.15pm.

Uncle Brow Brows is a children’s author based in Dudley, and Claire Ambler’s book ‘My Extraordinary Adventures’ tells tales of ‘fun and frolics’ on the Severn Valley Railway.

The writers will travel in the open carriages, reading from their books to children as the train steams along SVR’s sixteen-mile route from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth and back

Passengers will pay only the usual price to travel, with no extra charge for the extra onboard storytelling. Tickets are available on the Severn Valley Railway website.

the BewdleyThe event is SVR’s contribution to Bewdley Festival’s new one-day children’s event, ‘Step into Stories’, during which authors, poets and storytellers will come together in an effort to inspire young people.

The Railway, which celebrates its sixtieth anniversary next year, welcomes up to a quarter of a million visitors each year, and runs regular steam- and diesel-hauled passenger train services. It won three gongs at this year’s Heritage Railway Association awards..  

“I can’t wait to share some of my stories on board the train. I regularly visit the line with my family, and we love it so much that my latest book, ‘Yak on the Track’ is based at a railway line. I think this is going to be a really special day.”

Uncle Brow Brows