The cost of rebuilding the Severn Valley Railway after last summer’s devastating floods is expected to soar to £3.55 million, more than three times the original estimate, it was revealed today.
The first train carrying VIP passengers today travelled the full 16-mile route from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth.
TV gardener Charlie Dimmock smashed a bottle of champagne to mark the occasion just before 10am.
The train with about 150 people on board, including Bridgnorth district council leader Liz Yeomans and district councillor Les Winwood, was expected to arrive at Bridgnorth at 11.30am.
Advantage West Midlands and the European Regional Development Fund contributed £1.25 million between them, with the Heritage Lottery Fund giving the heritage railway £250,000.
The flood appeal has raised £560,000.
Mick York, chairman of Severn Valley Railway Holdings, today paid tribute to everyone who had helped get the railway back up and running across the last nine months.
He said: “This was a bigger job than anyone ever expected. Our first estimate was about £1 million but it is now expected to cost £3.55 million, more than three times the original estimate.”
Nick Ralls, general manager, said: “There was no way Severn Valley Railway could ever have resourced such major reconstruction work from its own reserves.”
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