ABSOLUTELY wonderful was the verdict of members of the Club who thoroughly enjoyed a day out on the Severn Valley Railway and workshop.

Following an early start from Evesham, some members managed a full breakfast on arrival at Bridgnorth. Meanwhile George Bourne and co-pilot Derek Bunker suffered Satnav malfunction and arrived late but although they caught up with the party they missed out on the bacon sarnies.

A full tour of the works, views of the rolling stock, the locomotive works, and the Engine House followed, together with a ride to Kidderminster along the marvellously scenic route. The ticket inspector detected several members in the very plush first class compartments despite having only second class tickets. Tactfully, he said he would return “later” to collect the surcharge!

Our Workshop escort was John Fadelle, a retired chartered engineer, who is among the volunteers who support the 30 employees and 10 apprentices, which keep the workshops going.

Bob Young was in his element re-living his early engineering career and the mysteries of the purpose, installation and manufacture of boiler stays was revealed, solving a lifetime obsession of Bill Underwood.

We learned that engine boilers suffer from metal fatigue, from the continual warming and cooling and the "rough" ride they get on the railway. Hence they normally have a 10 year certification, after which they have to be removed and totally overhauled, repaired and renewed as necessary. A bit like aircraft fuselages really.

Those who couldn’t last the course found refuge in the very snug Railwayman’s Arms conveniently on Bridgnorth station.

At the end of a long and for some a very tiring day, members thanked all those who had made this such a memorable occasion.

Next week we shall hear about the long road to decimalisation to be followed on 2 June with a talk about the English Archer and his Longbow.

BILL UNDERWOOD