Only six months after obtaining its Office of Road and Rail licence to operate, the heritage Vale of Berkeley Railway has run its first trains at Oldminster Sidings, near Sharpness Docks.
This landmark event on Saturday August 30th coincided with the 150th anniversary of the first freight trains on the former Severn and Wye Railway Sharpness branch, and the Railway 200 celebrations – marking 200 years since the birth of the modern railway.
Appropriately, the first train movements on the Vale of Berkeley Railway (VoBR) involved shunting locomotives and wagons on the restored freight exchange sidings which once linked the Sharpness branch to the Sharpness Docks railway.
After familiarisation runs for the loco drivers, the ‘Big Shunt’ began a series of complex moves to position each item of rolling stock in its correct location. Locomotives are now stored in a temporary shelter, to protect them until the VoBR’s new workshop and maintenance building is constructed. The Veronica Awdry Charitable Trust gave a grant to help rebuild two points essential for operating the railway.
VoBR Chairman Howard Parker said: “Buoyed up by running trains on our own tracks, we’re now pushing hard to raise funds for our new workshop and maintenance facilities. Please help us achieve this by donating via the VoBR’s website at www.vobr.org.uk.”
Whilst the Vale of Berkeley Railway won’t be running public trains until 2026, visitors can enjoy an accompanied tour of Oldminster Sidings by booking via valeofberkeleyrailway@gmail.com.
