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Elliott Brown History & heritage
15 Aug 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

The Shakespeare Express in 2022 and 2023

Vintage Trains and Tyseley Steam Trust continue to run the Shakespeare Express and the Polar Express between Stratford-upon-Avon and Birmingham Snow Hill stations. Here's some photos taken between 2022 and 2023. Steam locos used include 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe and 7029 Clun Castle.

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The Shakespeare Express in 2022 and 2023





Vintage Trains and Tyseley Steam Trust continue to run the Shakespeare Express and the Polar Express between Stratford-upon-Avon and Birmingham Snow Hill stations. Here's some photos taken between 2022 and 2023. Steam locos used include 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe and 7029 Clun Castle.


The 2018 Shakespeare Express post. Shakespeare Express and Polar Express.

The 2019 Polar Express post: Polar Express 2019.

 

7029 Clun Castle

For the 2022 Polar Express season, I first spotted 7029 Clun Castle, with the Polar Express at Birmingham Moor Street Station on the 27th November 2022. This view below taken from the no 35 bus.

dndimg alt="Clun Castle" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Clun%20Castle%20VT%20Polar%20Xpress%2027112022.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

After various attempts to see the Polar Express between November and December 2022, I finally got a photo of 7029 Clun Castle with the Polar Express at Birmingham Moor Street Station, platform 4 on the 11th December 2022.

dndimg alt="Clun Castle" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/PE%207029%20BMSS%2011122022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

I next saw 7029 Clun Castle, this time with The Shakespeare Express passing Solihull Station at speed on the 12th February 2023. Usually I'd expect The Shakespeare Express to run in the summer, not winter! Was a bit unexpected, as was going to Birmingham Moor Street one way that day (I did not see it at Moor Street, as by then it was at Birmingham Snow Hill).

dndimg alt="Clun Castle" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/TSX%207029%20CC%20Solihull%20Station%2012022023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Clun Castle" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/TSX%207029%20CC%20Solihull%20Station%2012022023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Clun Castle" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/TSX%207029%20CC%20Solihull%20Station%2012022023%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Carriages at Birmingham Snow Hill Station

On the 31st July 2022, I spotted these carriages of The Shakespeare Express at Birmingham Snow Hill Station, but did not see the steam locomotive. Initially from the Jewellery Quarter near Lionel Street, then from Great Charles Street Queensway, the car park near Ludgate Hill (the Great Charles Street construction site in 2023) and from the top of Snow Hill Car Park. They stretched to the end of platform 2. Was during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, so the station had wraps all over for the event.

dndimg alt="Shakespeare Express" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Shakespeare%20Express%20BSHS%2031072022%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Shakespeare Express" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Shakespeare%20Express%20BSHS%2031072022%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Shakespeare Express" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Shakespeare%20Express%20BSHS%2031072022%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Shakespeare Express" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Shakespeare%20Express%20BSHS%2031072022%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe

For a few Sunday's I kept thinking of seeing The Shakespeare Express again. There was one Sunday when I spotted a steam locomotive at Birmingham Moor Street, platform 1 before it returned to Birmingham Snow Hill (from the top of a bus). Then another Sunday, I was waiting for a bus in Solihull, when I saw The Shakespeare Express whistle at speed past Solihull Station.

So this time I kept checking Real Time Trains, and it said it would be at Birmingham Snow Hill on the 13th August 2023 around 13:40.

 

The view from platform 3, as 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe leads The Shakespeare Express into platform 2, through the Snow Hill Tunnel.

dndimg alt="Earl of Mount Edgcumbe" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/5043%20EoME%20Shakespeare%20Express%20BSHS%2013082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Earl of Mount Edgcumbe" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/5043%20EoME%20Shakespeare%20Express%20BSHS%2013082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe had decoupled from the carriages, heading to the Jewellery Quarter end from platform 2, then passing platform 3, then through the Snow Hill Tunnel to Birmingham Moor Street. Was a West Midlands Metro tram nearby at St Paul's Tram Stop.

dndimg alt="Earl of Mount Edgcumbe" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/5043%20EoME%20Shakespeare%20Express%20BSHS%2013082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Earl of Mount Edgcumbe" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/5043%20EoME%20Shakespeare%20Express%20BSHS%2013082023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Earl of Mount Edgcumbe" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/5043%20EoME%20Shakespeare%20Express%20BSHS%2013082023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

One of the carriages, Charter Train Coach E, shows the route: Birmingham - Tyseley - Henley-in-Arden - Stratford-upon-Avon - Tyseley - Birmingham. Although it does also go via Dorridge, as well as via Shirley and Whitlocks End.

dndimg alt="Earl of Mount Edgcumbe" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/5043%20EoME%20Shakespeare%20Express%20BSHS%2013082023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

After waiting for a West Midlands Railway Class 172 to come out of the Snow Hill Tunnel to platform 1 at Birmingham Snow Hill, shortly after, 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe emerges from the tunnel to re-couple onto the other end of the carriages waiting at platform 2.

dndimg alt="Earl of Mount Edgcumbe" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/5043%20EoME%20Shakespeare%20Express%20BSHS%2013082023%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Earl of Mount Edgcumbe" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/5043%20EoME%20Shakespeare%20Express%20BSHS%2013082023%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Earl of Mount Edgcumbe" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/5043%20EoME%20Shakespeare%20Express%20BSHS%2013082023%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Earl of Mount Edgcumbe" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/5043%20EoME%20Shakespeare%20Express%20BSHS%2013082023%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Earl of Mount Edgcumbe" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/5043%20EoME%20Shakespeare%20Express%20BSHS%2013082023%20(11).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Earl of Mount Edgcumbe" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/5043%20EoME%20Shakespeare%20Express%20BSHS%2013082023%20(12).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

See 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe with The Shakespeare Express on my YouTube Channel: Shakespeare Express 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe at Birmingham Snow Hill Station

Or on my Facebook page: Shakespeare Express 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe at Birmingham Snow Hill Station

 

Photography by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown Rivers, lakes & canals
15 Aug 2023 - Elliott Brown
News & Updates

Keep Canals Alive! Narrowboats on the Birmingham Canal Navigations

On Sunday 13th August 2023, in response to Government plans to cut funding in future to the Canal & River Trust, there was a lot of narrowboats on the Birmingham Canal Navigations in Central Birmingham. From The Mailbox towards Utilita Arena Birmingham and beyond. I just saw them between the Arena, Brindleyplace and Gas Street Basin when I was there.

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Keep Canals Alive! Narrowboats on the Birmingham Canal Navigations





On Sunday 13th August 2023, in response to Government plans to cut funding in future to the Canal & River Trust, there was a lot of narrowboats on the Birmingham Canal Navigations in Central Birmingham. From The Mailbox towards Utilita Arena Birmingham and beyond. I just saw them between the Arena, Brindleyplace and Gas Street Basin when I was there.


The Birmingham Canals in the City Centre have seen a lot of regeneration over the last 30 plus years, on both sides of the Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline. From Brindleyplace to the National Indoor Arena (now Utilita Arena Birmingham). But in future years, the Government wants to cut the money they give to the Canal & River Trust to keep maintaining the network of canals around the country.

This view from Arena Birmingham South Car Park. National Sealife Birmingham on the left, with Legoland Discovery Centre Birmingham below.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/National%20Sealife%20ABSCP%2013082023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Narrowboats seen between Old Turn Junction and Gas Street Basin on Sunday 13th August 2023.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Keep Canals Alive Canal & River Trust campaign, the banner on a bridge near The Malt House, from Old Turn Junction, to the left is the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Brindley Cruises narrowboat passing Old Turn Junction and National Sealife Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

More narrowboats heading under the Brewmasters Bridge.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Near the Brewmasters Bridge at Three Brindleyplace, a new venue The Park: Virtual Reality Experience.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A look back to Utilita Arena Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

From Brindleyplace, saw a group of kayakers near The ICC. So I crossed over the Brindleyplace Bridge, then went to the Black Sabbath Bridge.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A narrowboat comes out of the Broad Street Tunnel below the Black Sabbath Bridge near Brindleyplace.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(11).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(12).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Entering the Broad Street Tunnel / Black Sabbath Bridge, towards Gas Street Basin. More narrowboats coming through.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(13).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Now at Gas Street Basin, the end of the Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline. Beyond was the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, with more narrowboats waiting.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(14).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(15).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The other side of the Worcester Bar at Gas Street Basin, more narrowboats on the start of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(16).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(17).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Exiting Gas Street Basin near what was Old Wharf. Another narrowboat moored that day for the Keep Canals Alive campaign for the Canal & River Trust.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(18).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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Stephen Giles Construction & regeneration
14 Aug 2023 - Stephen Giles
News & Updates

South Central Tower - August 2023 Update

South Central Tower recently resumed installation of c1800 terracotta panels after momentarily stalling due to supply chain challenges with the façade manufacturer.

With the site back up and running, the panels are now starting to wrap around level nine.

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South Central Tower - August 2023 Update





South Central Tower recently resumed installation of c1800 terracotta panels after momentarily stalling due to supply chain challenges with the façade manufacturer.

With the site back up and running, the panels are now starting to wrap around level nine.


dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/DJI_0391.png" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/DJI_0390.png" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/DJI_0389-2.png" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/DJI_0389.png" />

The first six floors on the Essex Street facade do not have any windows. An agreement was reached with an adjacent landowner to avoid overlooking a future development plot (Trifecta Residences).

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/DJI_0388.png" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/DJI_0387.png" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/DJI_0386.png" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/DJI_0385.png" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/DJI_0394.png" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/DJI_0392.png" />

...and back in late July:

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_0362b_SCEN.jpg" />

The building will soon accommodate 166 apartments, including a mezzanine level and an open-air roof garden/ cinema/ fitness space.

Images from Stephen Giles and Daniel Sturley. View the map of the site, here.

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Elliott Brown Food & drink
14 Aug 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

At The Flapper for the Westside BID Brummie Photography exhibition launch

Some general views around The Flapper on Monday 7th August 2023. Was there for the launch of the Westside BID Brummie photography exhibition. Featuring my photo used in the 2023 calendar, as well as Jack, Damien, Peter and others. Was several music related pictures on the wall inside.

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At The Flapper for the Westside BID Brummie Photography exhibition launch





Some general views around The Flapper on Monday 7th August 2023. Was there for the launch of the Westside BID Brummie photography exhibition. Featuring my photo used in the 2023 calendar, as well as Jack, Damien, Peter and others. Was several music related pictures on the wall inside.


On the evening of Monday 7th August 2023, was the launch of the Westside BID Brummie photography exhibition at The Flapper. These were the 12 photos used in their Westside BID 2023 calendar, and this was the event to see the photos on display for the first time. Images below are just a general look around The Flapper inside and out on the evening.

 

From the balcony of The Flapper, a view of Cambrian Wharf and Farmers Bridge Locks. With the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal on the left, as well as the Lockside Wharf development. And you can also see the BT Tower from here.

dndimg alt="The Flapper" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Cambrian%20Wharf%20Flapper%2007082023.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

There is a lower drinking area to sit at overlooking the canal, with these Beavertown parasols. This was where I met up with Jack.

dndimg alt="The Flapper" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside%20Flapper%2007082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Inside The Flapper. They gave us beer tokens to get a free drink (was added to Westside BID's tab, I think they were going to pay).

dndimg alt="The Flapper" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside%20Flapper%2007082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Some posters of the Sex Pistols, The Clash and David Bowie. Plus a skull of a bull.

dndimg alt="The Flapper" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside%20Flapper%2007082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A pool table with The Flapper bags on it. The exhibition was on the walls in this corner of the pub.

dndimg alt="The Flapper" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside%20Flapper%2007082023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Heading out, saw this mirror with the Flapper & Firkin name on it (established in 1993). Plus more posters.

dndimg alt="The Flapper" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside%20Flapper%2007082023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Outside the entrance to The Flapper.

dndimg alt="The Flapper" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside%20Flapper%2007082023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Seating area inside close to the entrance.

dndimg alt="The Flapper" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside%20Flapper%2007082023%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

One last look inside before I left.

dndimg alt="The Flapper" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside%20Flapper%2007082023%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Saw a Beavertown head-in-the-hole thing below. 'Destination Planet Summer'. 'Wish you were here!' If only it wasn't raining so much in summer 2023!

dndimg alt="The Flapper" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside%20Flapper%2007082023%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Heading out with Damien before we parted ways.

dndimg alt="The Flapper" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside%20Flapper%2007082023%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown Food & drink
14 Aug 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Meal at The Canal House thanks to the Westside BID in July 2022

At the end of 2021, I was one of the winners for the Westside BID photography calendar competition for their 2022 calendar. My prize at the time was a voucher to use at The Canal House. Which I eventually used on the 13th July 2022. A year on, had another photo in the 2023 calendar, and had been to The Flapper for their photography exhibition. Those photos in a separate post.

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Meal at The Canal House thanks to the Westside BID in July 2022





At the end of 2021, I was one of the winners for the Westside BID photography calendar competition for their 2022 calendar. My prize at the time was a voucher to use at The Canal House. Which I eventually used on the 13th July 2022. A year on, had another photo in the 2023 calendar, and had been to The Flapper for their photography exhibition. Those photos in a separate post.


I didn't use my Westside BID prize for the 2022 calendar until the 13th July 2022. I first won it around November 2021, but that was not the right time to use it, coming out of restrictions from the pandemic. It was much better though to use it last summer. My voucher code was for The Canal House on Bridge Street in Birmingham, near Gas Street Basin.

It was also called the James Brindley.

 

We got a table on the balcony overlooking Gas Street Basin, here you can see what was Jurys Inn (now Leonardo Royal Hotels). There was also a outdoor drinking area on the level below outside.

dndimg alt="The Canal House" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Canal%20House%2013072022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

After finishing the meal, on leaving I took these photos on my phone camera on the way out.

dndimg alt="The Canal House" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Canal%20House%2013072022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="The Canal House" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Canal%20House%2013072022%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="The Canal House" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Canal%20House%2013072022%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="The Canal House" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Canal%20House%2013072022%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="The Canal House" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Canal%20House%2013072022%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Some views to The Canal House from Gas Street Basin, close to Regency Wharf. Old Wharf was formerly to the left, where Arena Central is now.

dndimg alt="The Canal House" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Canal%20House%2013072022%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="The Canal House" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Canal%20House%2013072022%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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