West Midlands heritage line the Severn Valley Railway (SVR) will open for nine days in a row during the coming half-term holiday, from Saturday 26 October to Sunday 3 November.

Shropshire-based SVR promises that “families can be sure of a warm welcome and an exciting day out”.

Visitors will be able to board heritage diesel- and steam-hauled trains, which will journey along sixteen miles of attractive views and through preserved stations.

SVR, which recently added a second Diesel Multiple Unit to its home fleet, will provide families with a complimentary EyeSpy booklet, as a guide to things to look out for during the ride.

The half-term holiday week includes Halloween, so as it did last year, the SVR will be running Ghost and Scream Trains, this year during the evenings of 26, 30 and 31 October.

During the first weekend of half-term, SVR will host its Christmas Fayre at The Engine House at Highley station. On Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October, visitors will have the opportunity to buy festive presents from dozens of local craftspeople and producers. SVR announced its Christmas programme last month.

Further information and tickets are available from the Severn Valley Railway website.

“If you want to let of some steam, there’s plenty of opportunity at The Engine House, Highley, where we have a large outdoor play area. Youngsters can get hands-on with sorting the mail in the travelling post office carriage, and get up close and personal with an array of full-size steam locomotives on display.

“Plus, between Monday 28 October and Friday 1 November, we’ve something really special – a huge train set at The Engine House, courtesy of Train Time ‘stay ‘n’ play’, from 11am to 4pm.”

SVR Visitor engagement manager Lewis Maddox