'The Severn Valley Venturer' Headboard

by Richard Greaves

Since Stanier 2-6-0 2968 returned to traffic in 1991, no less than twelve charter trains have been organised by the Stanier Mogul Fund on the SVR. These have ranged from one-coach observation saloon specials serving a cold buffet for 25 people, to eight coach trains serving a full three-course meal for 250-plus paasengers.

During the five years we have run these charters, the Stanier Mogul Fund has always used volunteer-run the 'SVR Venturer' catering team, under the leadership of Peter Williamson. We cannot speak too highly of service given by the 'Venturer' team, whose dedication, performance, professionalism, and expertise has always delighted SMF customers.

Following our last charter in June 1996, the Committee of the SMF, aware that the advertised 'Severn Valley Venturer' dining car train had never carried a headboard, unlike its counterpart, the 'Severn Valley Limited', decided to offer a suitable headboard in recognition of the hard work put in by the team. In providing such a headboard, it would also give the train and its crew an identity.

The idea was put to Peter, who responded keenly to the proposal, and once agreement had been reached on the style (BR London Midland Region with poppy red background) an order was placed with Newton Replicas Ltd of Nottinghamshire.

An informal handing-over ceremony was arranged for 15th September, 1996, and quite by chance(!), 2968 was the rostered loco for the 11.00hrs ex Bridgnorth, 'The Severn Valley Venturer' working. On the due date, the early shift 'Venturer' crew members were seconded for the obligatory photo call and John Bowater, representing the SMF Committee, officially handed over the headboard to Peter Williamson, who accepted it on behalf of the Venturer catering team, as shown above.

Prior to departure from Bridgnorth, the headboard was fixed to the top smokebox lamp bracket of 2968 , thereby giving the SVR TWO headboarded dining car trains, and after many years, a visible identity to the 'Severn Valley Venturer'.

The SMF looks forward to many more years of running charter trains on the SVR in partnership with the 'Venturer' catering team.

This article first appeared in the Winter 1996/97 edition of the Severn Valley News (Issue No. 121).

Created on by: Dave Rowley, July 29th 1997
Last modified by Dave Rowley on March 29^th 2010