Severn Valley Railway’s smallest station is set for its biggest ever moment in the spotlight when trains call at Eardington in unprecedented numbers during the Branch Line Weekend on Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1 March.

For most of the year, passenger trains pass through Eardington without stopping, except at Galas. But during the Branch Line Weekend, the award-winning Shropshire station will be transformed into a busy country halt, with a total of 23 trains scheduled to call over the two days, more than at any other time in its history.

Station master Steve Downs has been delving into the archives to put the milestone into context.

“I’ve been looking back at old timetables from Bradshaw’s Railway Guide, the Great Western Railway and British Railways,” he said. “There were certainly plenty of trains stopping here on Saturdays in years gone by, but that was when Saturday was still a working day for many people. On Sundays, there would only be one train in each direction. Over the Branch Line Weekend, we’ll see 23 trains stopping at Eardington, which is certainly more than ever before.”

The Branch Line Weekend marks 35 years since the arrival of the railway’s first diesel multiple unit (DMU) and will recreate the everyday bustle of a traditional country branch line. Across the weekend, visitors will experience short local trains, autotrain workings and independently operated DMUs running both shuttle services and full-line journeys.

Two diesel multiple units will be in action throughout the event, alongside a strong line-up of steam power. The stars of the weekend will include Class 101 and Class 108 DMUs, GWR 1450, GWR 7714 and GWR 7802 Bradley Manor (Saturday only), bringing the sights and sounds of classic branch line operation back to life.

As Steve continued, the event is especially significant for Eardington: “When our little station reopened after decades of closure, we could never have predicted how important it would become,” he said. “It’s a real credit to the whole station team, who’ve worked tirelessly to bring Eardington back to life. Being named Station of the Year last year by the Heritage Railway Association was a tremendous honour, and this weekend shows we’re living up to that accolade.”

An enhanced timetable will allow visitors to travel easily up and down the line, hopping on and off to explore favourite stations, enjoy the scenery or sample different types of historic rolling stock. Eardington station will be open on both days, offering a rare opportunity to experience trains calling at this beautifully restored rural halt.

Guests can also break their journey at The Engine House visitor centre at Highley (open 10.45am to 4.30pm, last entry 4pm) or relax with a pint in one of the railway’s welcoming real ale pubs at either Bridgnorth or Kidderminster.

Despite the scale of the event, tickets are available at standard prices, with savings of up to 20 per cent for advance bookings. Freedom-of-the-Line tickets offer unlimited travel all day, while shorter return options are available from each end of the line to Highley or Arley. Great value family tickets make the weekend an affordable choice for visitors with children.

The Branch Line Weekend promises a warm welcome, rich history and the simple pleasure of travelling through the Severn Valley as it used to be, with Eardington station enjoying its busiest and most exciting weekend yet.

For more information, including timetables and tickets, visit svr.co.uk.