Wolverhampton Branch Severn Valley Railway Supporting the SVR since 1967

After our pick-ups in Kidderminster, Stourbridge and Wolverhampton we shall be making an additional call at Stafford and then heading north along the M6. There will be a convenience break at Knutsford Services before we proceed to our first calling point which is at Inskip, near Preston.

The purpose of visiting this site, which was formerly a Navy Stores Depot, is that it is the home of the S.V.R.A. (Wolverhampton Branch)'s own preserved coach. Our vehicle was operated by Harper Brothers, and is similar to the vehicle in which we are traveling. One of the main purposes of this trip is to bring the two vehicles together.

The site is also home to a number of other historic buses and coaches. The collection includes vehicles in a variety of states from dereliction through to fully restored condition. We are arranging for part of the collection to be available for viewing during our visit, and hope that you will find these of interest during our brief stay here.

We aim to leave Inskip at 12.30 p.m. for the second leg of our journey, onward to Rawtenstall, the northern terminus of the East Lancashire Railway. A timetable leaflet giving information about the railway and its locality is enclosed. We are due to catch the 2.00 p.m. departure from Rawtenstall to Bury. Seats are allocated for us on this train and the Journey is scheduled to take approximately 45 minutes. When we arrive at Rawtenstall will you please remain on the coach for a few minutes while I collect our tickets from the booking office.

We shall have a little over two hours at Bury. The East Lancashire Railway's station is in Bolton Street. It is conveniently close to the town centre - turn right as you leave the station and you will come to the Market Place; the tourist information office is on the opposite side. There is a display of historic road vehicles as well as some items of railway interest in the ELR's North Yard off Castlecroft Road cross the road on exit from the station and tunnel to your left.

Those of you wishing to visit the locomotive depot at Buckley Wells should remain with me and await instructions. We may be allowed to walk down the line to the depot under the supervision of an ELR member of staff. This will take about ten minutes in each direction. On no account should anyone attempt to walk along the railway unless they are in the supervised party.

Your return train departure time from Bury (Bolton Street) Station is 5.00 p.m. Please ensure that you do not miss this train - the walk home will spoil your day out.

Our train is due back at Rawtenstall at 5.50 p.m. The coach will leave here at 6.15 p.m. The draw for the Free Prize Raffle will be held during the return journey. We shall have another convenience break en-route.

We hope you enjoy your day traveling with us.

Neil Evans (Courier) - S.V.R. Wolverhampton Branch

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Created by: Dave Rowley, June 23^rd 2003