Princess Royal dons a boiler suit for trip on Severn Valley Railway

Princess Anne was given the chance to take the controls of a vintage locomotive as part of a day of celebrations.

She unveiled a commemorative plaque on Kidderminster Station and met staff and volunteers yesterday.

The royal guest had accepted an invitation to travel on the footplate, donning a smock coat and industrial gloves before taking charge on the two-and-a-half mile journey from Bewdley Station to Kidderminster.

During yesterday's visit the princess praised the hard work of everyone involved in saving and maintaining the railway after it fell victim to Beeching's axe in the early 1960s and said the organisation had "quite rightly" won the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service for its efforts. Unveiling the plaque and signing the visitors' book, she added her thanks for the ride on the footplate.

"It was a real treat," she said.

SVR chairman Nick Paul presented her with a billy can and a whistle as a memento of her visit.

Picking up the whistle, she asked: "Does it work on dogs?"

Mr Paul said: "The visit was a huge success."

Princess Anne visit was billed as the highlight of a six-month special programme of events which runs until October.

About 300,000 passengers a year are carried on the 16-mile route, placing it among the Midlands' leading tourist attractions. It also draws visitors from around the world.

The royal visitor met some of the early pioneers who rescued the 100-year-old line, including former factory worker Keith Beddoes whose appeal in a local newspaper for fellow rail enthusiasts to rally round started the ball rolling.

About 50 rail fans met at the Coopers Arms, Kidderminster, in July 1965 to draw up a rescue plan. SVR chairman Nick Paul told the princess: "This is a very special year for the Severn Valley Railway. Fifty years ago I don't think any of the founder members could have imagined they would be standing here on this magnificent station on this momentous occasion. It's beyond our wildest dreams.

Volunteers

"We need to thank them and all the tens of thousands of volunteers through the years who have helped to create arguably the best supported and most well loved heritage railway in the UK.

"We have to thank them all for their enthusiasm, determination and resilience."

Over the years the line's six stations have been restored or rebuilt, bridges renewed, track improved and signalling installed. The rolling stock has also been repaired and returned to active service.

Along the way a new boiler shop was built at Bridgnorth, followed by the biggest carriage shed in British railway preservation at Kidderminster and a new visitor centre, The Engine House, at Arley.

Founder member Columb Howell, a 72-year-old retired engineer who was the group's first treasurer, was among those introduced to the royal visitor.

"She recognised that it took a lot of hard work to get to this point, but said it had been worth it. She said what an achievement it was," said Mr Howell. "It's been a super day. We were so lucky to get her. It's been a day to remember."

Kidderminster station master Geoff Smith, 74, met Princess Anne from the train. She also chatted to founder members Christopher George, Roger Hobson and Keith Beddoes. The princess asked 70-year-old Ian Latimer about his uniform. The veteran volunteer, of Bewdley, said it used to be worn by the station master at Arley – the job he currently performs.

"The uniform comes out on high days and holidays and was obviously very fitting for this occasion," he said. "The princess was genuinely very interested in what everyone did on the railway."

Volunteer John Davies, 69, of Kidderminster, made the royal visitor laugh when he told her how he used to play truant from school to train-spot on the line.

"She laughed and said 'They've spoilt it now, haven't they, because they don't put the numbers on the front anymore.'

"She certainly knew her stuff. You felt she had a genuine affection for heritage railways."

The Princess Royal was shown the carriage works which, at a fifth of a mile long, is believed to be the longest storage shed in railway preservation.

Carriage works manager Hugh McQuade introduced her to six of eight apprentices in the SVR's training academy.

"I spoke to the driver, Paul Fathers, who travelled with her on the footplate and he said she handled the train well. We showed her some of the work we do here and she was very relaxed and engaging," he said.

Fitter machinist Chris Lawley, 27, of Kidderminster, showed her some repairs he was making to brake rigging.

The wind even played a part in the event, blowing off the cover to the plaque before the unveiling.