Hi, member 9028, Archie Lewis (age 13), here! As part of our Nov AGM weekend, I attended the meeting on the Sunday with my dad and my older (she's getting on a bit now) sister, Ruby. I enjoy all aspects of railways but do have a particular passion for miniatures, probably because you can get up so close and feel the wind riding on them.

During the drive down to Kidderminster, the sun shone in our eyes travelling along the motorway and on the final stretch into the town we passed a large number of people enjoying a walk in the late autumn sun with leaves blowing in the breeze - very picturesque. However, it wasn't until we alighted from our lovely warm Volvo that we experienced the chilly wind! This was my first visit to the Severn Valley Railway and I was immediately taken with the site and all the railway memorabilia on show at the station and Kidderminster Railway Museum. I managed to extract 10p from Ruby for a Platform Ticket and unsuccessfully tried to obtain a very faded and old looking Cadbury's Whole Nut bar from an original station vending machine. [Perhaps just as well, Archie, they have been there many years!]

After a refreshing drink and biscuit in the AGM meeting room, Ruby and I assisted with the counting of votes for the AGM ballot and ate a few more biscuits, as you do! We were due to ride on the Coalyard Miniature Railway (MR p26) between the end of the formal meeting and Ian Mortimer's Industrial Railway presentation. The 7¼" gauge, 430yd, railway is part of the Kidderminster Station Staff Group and all proceeds from it, including our fixture, help to support the wider Severn Valley Railway.

Our convivial well attended AGM (which gave Ruby a chance to do her homework) finished early and allowed us, and others, to grab a quick bite to eat from Kidderminster Railway Museum's excellent café. The staff were kind enough to bring our cheese toasties and soup out to the adjacent Coalyard (Kidderminster High Level) platforms. This hot food was very welcome in the cool crisp afternoon.

We were quickly straight on with proceedings, there were 27 participants. Rob and Richard, our very friendly hosts, split us into smaller groups and ran two shuttles, one for the High Level platforms (as in higher than the standard gauge platforms) and turnback siding at the Museum end. Another train ran the full length of the line to the appropriately named Tutherend Halt and the four sheds at the end of the line. The High Level shuttle was made up of a Class 20 (D8059) sandwiched in the middle with a replica War Department wagon and a Freightliner HIA wagon for passengers respectively each end (to reach both ends of lines). Thankfully the railway didn't have bottom unloading facilities for the HIA Hoppers! We all covered the two High Level platforms and the turnback with as many runs as needed, Rob ensured that we reached all the buffer stops in typical BLS style (without a loco in the way even). Richard was in charge of t'other (I am from Derbyshire) run to the Tutherend with a gorgeous looking Warship replica numbered D821, carrying the name 'Greyhound' of course. The Class 42 was coupled up to two crimson and cream MK1s and another HIA wagon and took us from the High Level station to the sheds. I was informed that this was the third visit to the line by the Society, the first was on 26 Nov 2005 and the second 1 Nov 2014, both also with AGMs. However, there have been various changes to the track since the last one. At Tutherend the east side platform had been lengthened at the Bewdley end during Lockdown (to aid social distancing), partly achieved by changing the crossover beyond the platform from facing to trailing and there have been changes to some shed roads. We mainly focused on the new alignments and roads, both in and outside the buildings (with no loco in the way) I enjoyed several trips taking advantage of maximising all the shuttle runs where possible.

I particularly liked the trips in and out of the sheds, lots to see and smell, very typical but fascinating railway sheds with bits of kit, tools and oil! Your Editor even 'treated' us to a: If we pass those battery chargers again, we'll be charged extra this time joke - honk honk!!
One more run back to the Museum and AGM, this time taking in the other (west) Tutherend platform. All in all, a fantastic little railway; we were looked after very well and all participants had a great time.

Although I enjoy miniatures when I'm out and about with my dad and family on normal public running, I especially enjoy our organised trips on railways like this as you experience so much more than the standard run and passenger service track. [A future miniature man here - PAS.] Thank you to Kev Adlam for arranging it and special thanks to both Rob and Richard who spoilt us on the day, oh and not forgetting my dad for paying for it and taking us there (sorry - he made me put this bit in)!

Our 22 Nov 2021 AGM Coalyard Railway fixture at Kidderminster High Level station left to right: Paul & Alex Stewart, Mark Haggas, then our driver, with Neil Lewis, Kev Adlam and, at the very keen end, Archie Lewis.
[© Duncan Finch 2021]

Another group prepares to depart.
[© Neil Lewis 2021]

It's time to turn back in the turnback siding.
[© Neil Lewis 2021]

The first trip arrives back from exploring Tutherend for the groups to then change over.
[© Neil Lewis 2021]

End of line at Kidderminster High Level (Kidderminster Railway Museum left and SVR right).
[© Neil Lewis 2021]

It's turnback time again.
[© Neil Lewis 2021]

Approaching the end of the line at Tutherend.
[© Neil Lewis 2021]

End of line at Tutherend from the turntable (set for our train to charge towards the battery charger road ahead). The footpath behind the fence, right to left, leads to the long footbridge over the SVR/NR; it was removed overnight 13-14 Feb 2022 to be replaced.
[© Alan Sheppard 2021]

Two new tracks since our 2014 visit (far left shed at Tutherend looking at the end of line).
[© Neil Lewis 2021]