HRH the Princess Royal paid a visit to the Severn Valley Railway in April.
During her visit she met staff, volunteers, founding members and apprentices as well riding on the footplate of a heritage steam engine.
The SVR is celebrating 50 years since a small group of young rail enthusiasts first agreed to reopen the line which was closed as part of the Beeching cuts. Four of the founding members were on hand to greet the princess, who unveiled a plaque and signed the anniversary visitors’ book.
The railway had cause for further celebration when it was crowned Heritage Site of the Year in the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2014-15. Thousands of people voted for the railway.
