Last weekend, Saturday, 27th and Sunday, 28th July, the Severn Valley Railway celebrated the 40th anniversary of the opening of Kidderminster Town station.

The occasion was honoured with hundreds of people gathering to hear senior railway figures pay tribute to the volunteers, who in 1984, saw the potential and importance of creating a southern terminus for the Severn Valley line.

On both days, the railway’s flagship locomotive 4930 Hagley Hall departed from Kidderminster Town station at 12.30 pm to recreate the ‘Kidderminster Venturer’ special it hauled on the station’s opening day 40 years ago.

A Light Railway Order was granted in 1970 for the original preserved Severn Valley Railway line to run between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade, and four years later it was extended to Bewdley. When Kidderminster Town station opened in 1984 it brought together a long-held ambition for the railway and provided a 16-miles. Journey for the line.

We’re celebrating the vision of those involved with the railway all those years ago who understood how transformational bringing the SVR to Kidderminster would be. They knew the positive impact it would have, with access to the national rail network and close proximity to major roads and motorway networks. It is therefore unsurprising that nowadays just over 80% of visitors to the railway begin their SVR experience at Kidderminster.

‘Also, we’re celebrating the vision of those whose ambition and desire to create something really special resulted in this magnificent station being constructed. In my view, it’s the most impressive entrance to any heritage railway, and a space that has a unique and wonderful atmosphere at any time of the year.

Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster, the SVR’s managing director

It was an absolute privilege to be asked to be the first stationmaster for our new station,’ he said. ‘But also rather a challenge, as there was literally nothing there!

It was an adventure and I jumped at the chance. Contractors built the platform, but we formed a volunteer gang of around a dozen people, and trawled West Midlands railway sites and beyond, for bits and pieces so we could put together our station.

The edging slabs along the platform, the beautiful old table now in our booking office, the lamp posts that stand on the platform. All of these came from other railway locations, and all of them were destined for the scrap heap or bonfire until we turned up in the SVR mini bus to give them a new life.

When we opened Kidderminster Town station in 1984, even in its rather temporary state, it felt like the SVR had truly arrived!

Malcolm Broadhurst, who attended the celebrations and played a key role 40 years ago

Believe it or not, Kidderminster Town station isn’t quite finished yet. We are hoping that in the coming years we’ll be able to complete the original vision by extending the length of the platforms and installing a canopy all the way to the end.

Next year, we’ll be celebrating 60 years in preservation with special events and commemorations, and taking a leading role in showcasing Railway 200, Network Rail’s initiative to mark 200 years of UK rail and its continuing importance. We’ve got a lot to look forward to.

Chris Walton, Chair of Severn Valley Railway who was involved in the often difficult logistical and financial planning that had been going on for several years before the station opened. Forty years on, he’s looking to the future, and says there’s more to come