THE tender of a Severn Valley Railway (SVR) locomotive derailed as it approached Hampton Loade station, with 31 passengers on board.

No-one was injured in the incident which happened at about 4pm yesterday, as the train was slowing down for the station stop.

A short section of track within station limits was damaged which prevented the train from pulling into the platform.

All vehicles remained upright and only the tender of the locomotive became derailed.

Alan Daze, of Kidderminster, a passenger on the locomotive, said: “There was a huge jolt and everyone was pulled forward. The train came to a sudden halt.”

The railway arranged a relief bus to take the train’s passengers the final four miles to Bridgnorth.

Severn Valley Railway has launched an internal inquiry to determine the cause of the derailment and track engineers have started assessing and replacing the damaged track panel.

The independent Accident Investigation Branch has also been notified in accordance with statutory requirements.

SVR’s E timetable service will operate normally between Kidderminster and Highley only. The disruption of trains is expected to be for a short period.