THE Severn Valley Railway - SVR - is scheduled to re-open throughout its entire 16 mile length tomorrow.

Only the Kidderminster-Bewdley and Bridgnorth-Hampton Loade sections have been open since extensive damage was caused to the line by torrential rain and flooding last June and July.

John Leach, SVR marketing manager, said: "It's going to be wonderful. Not only have our staff and volunteers have been frustrated over the last nine months but pubs and businesses down the valley have had a tough time too."

He added: "It feels tremendous at the moment. When the first train comes in tomorrow we will all be chuffed to bits. It will just be brilliant to see steam engines charging down the valley again."

Five steam engines will be making 10 return trips during Easter in the busiest time of the year for the railway. Mr Leach said: "This is the most intensive service we can physically operate."

The restoration work has cost £3.55 million, with Advantage West Midlands and the European Regional Development Fund making major contributions.

A public appeal also raised £575,000 which Mr Leach said was "awesome".

He added: "We have had so much public support for the appeal and this is an indication of how people feel about us. It's been nine months of hard work and a brilliant effort was made by volunteers and contractors to get everything up and running again."

Mr Leach said one of the biggest obstacles was restoration work to an embankment in Northwood Lane. He explained that 480 "pins" were needed to hold it in place while the work took five months to complete.

He said: "Everyone involved has terrific pride in what has been achieved in this time.

"There has been some fantastic engineering work while there were times when many people believed the work would have to take much longer."

A new facility which cost nearly £5 million will open for the first time in Highley. The Engine House boasts eight locomotives and tells the story of the SVR.

Heritage railway services will operate every weekend, then daily from May 3 to September 28 plus the Easter and October school holidays. The first train will set off at 9.55am from Kidderminster.

Click here to read about SVR's grand VIP relaunch party on Thursday.