BOSSES at the Severn Valley Railway are really chuffed after setting a new record.

The steam railway carried more than 250,000 passengers in 2005 - the first time in the line's 35-year history that the benchmark has been reach-ed. And revenue from all sources rose to £4.25m, which is another record for the steam railway that runs from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth in Shropshire.

The railway came within touching distance of the quarter of a million mark in both 2003 and 2004. It marked its milestone with an open day and a visit by the actress Jenny Agutter.

SVR general manager Alun Rees, who retires this year after 13 years at the helm of the popular railway, said: "This was my last Christmas and new year as general manager, so it's a really poetic way for me to finish."

John Leach, marketing manager for SVR, added: "We always thought the ultimate achievement would be getting past the 200,000 mark, and at one time even that looked like wishful thinking.

"Now we've touched a quarter of a million, and inevitably, people will be looking to the 300,000 benchmark - but we're not going to get carried away with these kind of numbers.

"What's important is that that we hold to our principles of providing all our visitors with an enjoyable, value-for-money day out, so that they come back again - and tell their friends and relatives about us."

Despite a year of record investment in infrastructure renewals and repairs, revenue topped £4m for a third consecutive year. The 2005 figure of £4.25m is the highest turnover ever recorded.

The railway expects to report a surplus on trading of about £50,000 at its annual shareholders meeting in May.

In 2006 the railway expects plans to spend up to £6m on renewing infrastructure and improving visitor facilities, including construction of the new £4.5m Severn Valley Visitor Centre and Engine House at Highley.

The railway is one of the principal tourist attractions in the Midlands and widely held to be the UK's premier steam line.