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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

Miniature Railway Wythall operated by Elmdon Model Engineering Society at The Transport Museum, Wythall

It wasn't just heritage buses at The Transport Museum, Wythall. On the August Bank Holiday Mondat 29th August 2022, visitors could pay to go on the Miniature Railway Wythall operated by Elmdon Model Engineering Society. The locomotive in use was called Blanche from the Penrhyn Railway. Kids seemed to have enjoyed it.

Miniature Railway Wythall operated by Elmdon Model Engineering Society

Shortly after getting off the car park shuttle bus at The Transport Museum, Wythall, I saw the station Elmdon Halt from the Miniature Railway Wythall.

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The first time I saw the miniature railway in action, was while looking at various heritage buses parked up. Was a grassy bank, and saw the miniature steam train Blanche come around.

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I was in The Power Hall, and briefly popped out when I saw this footbridge, shortly afterwards saw the miniature train heading around on the tracks. It went past the heritage buses, as well as a picnic bench area with bouncy castle and slides for kids.

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I was later in another bus garage on site, near the milk float collection, popped out and saw this tunnel. I did not wait around to see if the miniature steam train would come out of it. So back to the milk floats and buses it was.

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Before leaving, and after coming back to Wythall from a free bus ride, and ice cream. Saw the miniature steam train at Elmdon Holt, before we got back on the car park shuttle bus, to return to the Phoenix Group car park.

dndimg alt="Transport Museum Wythall" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MRW%20Elmdon%20TMW%2029082022%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos by Elliott Brown

Miniature Railway at Trentham Gardens (August 2013)

Looking back through my archives, and there was a Miniature Railway at Trentham Gardens that I saw back in the August 2013 day trip to the Trentham Estate. It is near Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire. Didn't have a ride of it at the time, but a return journey would have been about £2 each. There was a station here called Boathouse Station. The train they use is called Fern.

During a day out to Trentham Gardens near Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire, during August 2013, I noticed on my map that there was a Miniature Railway in the gardens to see. So while there I popped over to have a look at it. I didn't pay to go on it myself, but there was a charge of £2 per person (not sure if kids were free or not).

People get to ride up and down on the Miniature Train to and from Boathouse Station.

The Trentham Estate was originally home to Trentham Hall. There had been a house here since the 16th or 17th centuries. But the last house to be built here was by Charles Barry in the 1830s. It would have been fully demolished in the early 20th century, but part of it was demolished, but most of the shell remains. The gardens were designed by Capability Brown in the 1750s. The house and gardens were derelict when St. Modwen Properties purchased the site in 1996. But they restored the gardens and opened them by 2008. There is also a shopping village here.

Now back to the miniature railway.

It would have been open at Easter 2020 holidays (04/04/2020 - 19/04/2020), but assume that the gardens were completely closed during the lockdown / pandemic. Trentham Fern Train Trips this Easter. Tickets would have been: for a Return trip: £2 per person. Return trip with Annual Ticket Holder discount: £1.50 per person. Single trip: £1 person.

The photos below were taken during the 11th August 2013.

The tracks are of a narrow gauge. This way to the station.

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Welcome to Boathouse Station. The Railway is open. The fare is £2. Way in to the right.

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Passengers sit on the open carriages as the miniature train goes around the rails.

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The train arriving at Boathouse Station.

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The engine the driver sits on was called Fern. This is also called the Trentham Railway.

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Everybody had got off including the train driver, while it waits at Boathouse Station.

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Near the station the train can only got at a very slow 2 MPH.

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A look further down the line to Boathouse Station.

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Waiting for the next passengers.

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There was also some wooden sheds to the left, maybe they store the train in there?

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Later saw another passenger load having a ride on the Trentham Railway.

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The train just goes around the track in circles. I think there was only one station.

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The last I saw of it, the train was going around and on to complete the loop with a handful of passengers.

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For another post about another light railway in a park. Have a look at Evesham Vale Light Railway in the Evesham Country Park (August 2014).

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks to all my followers.

Return of the Polar Express at Birmingham Moor Street Station (22nd November to 22nd December 2019)

It's back! The Polar Express from Vintage Trains. On at weekends from the 22nd November to 22nd December 2019. I saw it at Birmingham Moor Street Station on Sunday 24th November 2019. This was the 14:40 service. I went to get the Chiltern Railways 14:55 service (as far as Solihull).

Last year's Post here Shakespeare and Polar Express.

Chiltern Railways 168002 (the train I would ride one stop to Solihull) and 45305 Alderman A. E. Draper seen at platform 3 and 4 at Birmingham Moor Street Station respectfully. The Polar Express is back for the festive season for the 2nd year. I saw families and kids arrive through an open gate (I used the ticket barrier).

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This steam locomotive is from the Great Central Railway. 45305 Alderman A. E. Draper. Built in 1936. Originally numbered 5305 for the London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMSR). After nationalisation in 1948, British Railways renumbered it as 45305. Withdrawn in 1968. Saved by Albert Drapers and Sons Ltd. Named Alderman A E Draper in 1984. From 1996 was with the Great Central Railway.

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Carriages further down platform 4.

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20 189 was at the end.

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Close up of 20 189, I last saw her at the Tyseley Locomotive Works at the open day 2 months earlier.

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Lined up the shot with the Birmingham Moor Street sign.

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Looking towards Primark. My train 168002 on the right at platform 3 (looks so small).

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Selfridges to the left.

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I got on my train sometime after 14:30 and got these close up shots of the steam locomotive. This showing the number 45305.

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First saw the nameplate Alderman A. E. Draper here.

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With all the steam, the windows on my train were steaming up. Was another 10 minutes before the Polar Express left, and I had to wait 25 minutes before my train departed.

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Red lights above the buffer in front of 45305. Way Out and Refreshment signs in the background.

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Nameplate about the dedication to the memory of Albert E. Draper. Who was the former Alderman and Mayor of the Borough of Hedon, East Yorkshire.

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Just after 14:40 as scheduled, the Polar Express slowly reversed out of Platform 3. While I waited another 15 minutes, another Chiltern Railways Class 168 train arrived from London Marylebone.

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My train later passed the Polar Express while it was a red light at Small Heath Station. Didn't take photos from the train as wasn't expected it there. Instead watch this video on Youtube Vintage Trains The Polar Express 24/11/2019. Video by TNXRail.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

The Usual Suspects at the Tyseley Locomotive Works open day (September 2019)

I went to my 3rd open day at the Tyseley Locomotive Works on Saturday 28th September 2019. Mostly the same steam and diesel locomotives plus some special guests. The turntable was closed, so they opened up a different path from the car park to the engine repair shed at the back. Bought my ticket online and had a QR code in the E-ticket. Plus got a handstamp (not that I came back).

Seen at Tyseley Warwick Road. This steam locomotive was stationary with the buffet cars behind. GWR 4073 Class 5080 Defiant. Built in May 1939 at the Swindon Works. GWR Castle Class. Standard Gauge Steam Trust (now the Tyseley Locomotive Works) bought it in 1974. Restored in 1988.

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LMS Jubilee Class 5593 Kolhapur outside of the engine repair shed. Built in 1934 at the Glasgow Works. Bought in 1968 by the Standard Gauge Steam Trust. Restored in the 1980s.

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GWR 4073 Class 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe in the engine shed next to 7760. Built in 1936 at the GWR Swindon Works. Sold to the then Birmingham Railway Museum in 1973. Restored between 1998 and 2008.

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7760 in the engine repair shed next to 5043. GWR 0-6-0 PT 57xx Class. Built in 1931. Awaiting an overhaul.

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GWR 4900 Class 4965 Rood Ashton Hall outside of the engine shed to the back. Regularly used as the Shakespeare Express. Previously named 4983 Albert Hall. Rebuilt in 1962 using parts from both original engines Albert Hall and Rood Ashton Hall. Had an overhaul in 2008 to 2009.

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GWR 4073 Class 7029 Clun Castle was in front of 4965 Rood Ashton Hall. Built in 1950 at the ex Great Western Railway Swindon Works for the Western Region of British Railways after Nationalisation. Withdrawn in 1965. Bought in 1966 by Patrick Whitehouse, the ownership then passed to 7029 Clun Castle Ltd. Now based at the Tyseley Locomotive Works. First restoration in the mid 1980s. Mostly recently fully restored by 2017 before returning to service.

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9600. GWR 0-6-0 PT 57xx Class. Built in 1945. Seen outside just behind guest locomotive 34053 Sir Keith Park. The turntable was fenced off behind.

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Special guest locomotive. SR Battle of Britain class 21C153 Sir Keith Park. 34053 Sir Keith Park steaming away. Built at the Brighton Works in 1947. Withdrawn from service in 1965. In 1979 purchased by Charles Timms but didn't leave Barry Island until 1984. Later sold to Dr John F Kennedy in 1992 and moved to Crewe. Currently owned by Southern Locomotives Limited. Last restored in 2012. Original intended home was Swanage Railway but is now usually at the Severn Valley Railway. I last saw her on the back of a lorry in December 2018 heading to the Tyseley Locomtive Works on the Warwick Road in Tyseley. See that post here Not something you see every day: a steam locomotive on the back of a lorry!

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Another special guest. A diesel locomotive 20189. Class 20 built sometime between 1957 and 1968, it's an diesel-electric locomotive. Also called L189. Currently owned by Class 20189 Ltd. Behind was London Transport 20142 Sir John Betjeman (I didn't get full views of that one). Also owned by Class 20189 Ltd. It used to be used on the London Underground on the Metropolitan line.

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When I was briefly there on the Saturday the 28th September 2019, they had a pair of diesel locomotives taking passengers in the carriages up and down the line from the platforms at Tyseley Warwick Road.

At the back was D1755 / 47773. Class 47 built in 1964. Used to be used with the Royal Train. Named The Queen Mother. Now owned by Vintage Trains. It was previously used with The Polar Express around December 2018.

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At the front was 13029. Original number was 08021. Class 08. Built in 1953. Has a British Railways badge on the side.

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D1755 and 13029 seen heading up and down the line with the passengers in the carriages. Behind 13029 was a Pullman carriage. As usual, I found lots of photographers waiting for their shots as far as you could walk on site. This is usually as far as I can go before heading back into the engine shed and up and down the stairs to the exit.

dndimg alt="D1755 and 13029" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Tyseley Loco Works open day (Sept 2019) diesel (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

Severn Valley Railway over the years: from Kidderminster Town to Bridgnorth

Ahead of my trip on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway a look back at the Severn Valley Railway between Kidderminster Town (Worcestershire) and Bridgnorth (Shropshire). I've only been on it during a day out back in August 2006. My last time to Kidderminster by train was September 2016 (but not on the SWR). More recently saw the line from Arley Arboretum.

The Severn Valley Railway runs between Kidderminster in Worcestershire to Bridgnorth in Shropshire. It is a 16 mile heritage line. Part of the Beeching cut's of the late 1960s, the line closed in 1963. The Severn Valley Railway Preservation Society was formed in 1965, and they bought the line reopening it in stages between 1970 and 1984.

Kidderminster Town Station

I got a train from my local station in Birmingham to Kidderminster Station, mainly to have a look around the town centre in early September 2016, so wasn't there for the Severn Valley Railway. But got some photos of Kidderminster Town Station of the SVR while I was there. This billboard also advertising the Kidderminster Railway Museum.

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Seen from Kidderminster Station while still under London Midland. A look at the carriages at Kidderminster Town Station. Was also old freight waggons in the background as well.

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Can just about see a steam locomotive buffing away on ther right. Bit hard to see from the modern station on the Birmingham to Worcester via Kidderminster line.

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The Kidderminster Railway Museum. I didn't go in there on my last visit to Kidderminster. This was after my walk around the town, and was now back at Kidderminster Station to get my train home. I do hope to go on the Severn Valley Railway again in the future, just not got around to it (not checked out how much a ticket costs).

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Bewdley Station

My first and so far only journey on the Severn Valley Railway was on a day out back in August 2006 (13 years ago!). Didn't have my own camera back then, used my brothers compact camera (wasn't into photography back then). This diesel locomotive with 2D12 on it to "Banbury" (well not here).

No. 51941/50933/52064/56208/59250. Ex-British Railways. Class: 108 DMU. Owner: DMU Group (West Midlands)
Notes: based at Bewdley - undergoing repairs before further use. Details from Meet our locos.

dndimg alt="SVR Bewdley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Severn Valley Railway Bewdley (August 2006) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Also saw this steam locotive with carriages behind it.

dndimg alt="SVR Bewdley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Severn Valley Railway Bewdley (August 2006) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Not sure of the number as didn't get it in my old photos back in 2006 but think it was ex British Railways.

dndimg alt="SVR Bewdley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Severn Valley Railway Bewdley (August 2006) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Carriage on the left numbered 52255. Not clear from here what number the steam locomotive was though.

dndimg alt="SVR Bewdley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Severn Valley Railway Bewdley (August 2006) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Some more of the carriages. Must be ex LNER. Middle carriage numbered 24105.

dndimg alt="SVR Bewdley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Severn Valley Railway Bewdley (August 2006) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Arley Station

On a visit to Arley Arboretum at the beginning of September 2019, could hear the whistles of nearby steam trains. Must be the Severn Valley Railway! The Severn View Point was on the walk past the trees towards the Grove Coppice at the arboretum in Arley. This diesel locomotive heading towards Arley Station is D9551, known as 'Angus'. Ex-British Railways. Built in 1965. Owned by the Severn Valley Railway Class 14 Company Ltd. Normally based at Bridgnorth. Details from Meet the locos.

dndimg alt="SVR Arley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Severn Valley Railway Arley Arboretum (Sept 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Waited a few minutes for the next train, before I saw 7714 heading towards Bridgnorth having just left Arley. Ex-Great Western Railway, built in 1930, owned by the SVR Pannier Tank Fund. Details from Meet the Locos.

dndimg alt="SVR Arley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Severn Valley Railway Arley Arboretum (Sept 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Later on after a walk around the arboretum, headed to the Severn View after passing The Well, just before going up the Laburnum Arch. First train I saw heading into Arley Station was 2857. Ex-Great Western Railway, built in 1918, Class 2800, owned by the 2857 Society. Details from Meet the Locos.

dndimg alt="SVR Arley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Severn Valley Railway Arley Arboretum (Sept 2019) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

After that train had left Arley, then saw this train head out of Arley towards Bridgnorth. 4144, Ex-British Railways. Direction facing Kidderminster. It is on hire from Didcot Railway Centre until November 2019. Details from Meet the Locos.

dndimg alt="SVR Arley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Severn Valley Railway Arley Arboretum (Sept 2019) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Bridgnorth Station

Heading back to Bridgnorth Station during August 2006. We had gone to look at the ruins of Bridgnorth Castle in the Bridgnorth Town Park. Don't really remember much about this visit, other than we must have walked over this footbrige and around the road. Then gone into the park and then walked back to the station.

dndimg alt="SVR Bridgnorth" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Severn Valley Railway Bridgnorth Station (August 2006) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

My only decent photos of the trains at Bridgnorth was from this viewpoint. Don't think I took any photos of the trains from the platforms at this station. Well not until we got to Bewdley.

dndimg alt="SVR Bridgnorth" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Severn Valley Railway Bridgnorth Station (August 2006) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

In this view was too many trees in the way of the trains to see them. Didn't really take much photos of trains back then. Didn't really start taking trains photos again until 2009, after I lost my brother in late 2008 (on my own camera).

dndimg alt="SVR Bridgnorth" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Severn Valley Railway Bridgnorth Station (August 2006) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

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Not something you see every day: a steam locomotive on the back of a lorry!

I only popped to Tyseley to check out some trains heading past Tyseley Station. When I walked back down to the Warwick Road on the 13th December 2018, saw a steam locomotive on the back of a lorry. Sir Keith Park 34053 was probably getting near to the Tyseley Locomotive Works. The walk to Acocks Green, but Amey had barriers out for new lampposts!

Sir Keith Park 34053

Not something you expect to see on the road in Birmingham! A lorry with a steam locomotive on the back of it. Although I have in the past seen a Cross Country train on the back of a lorry once. It was the 13th December 2018, and this small convoy was approaching the Tyseley Locomotive Works on the Warwick Road in Tyseley. Seen here passing the Cousins furniture store (mostly selling sofas etc).

The locomotive is currently operated by the Swanage Railway. So it was probably coming to Tyseley for repairs or maintenance?

dndimg alt="Sir Keith Park 34053" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sir Keith Park 34053 Warwick Road Tyseley (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A little bit of history of the locomotive. It was built in 1947 at the Brighton Works. It's original number ID was 21C153. It was a SR Battle of Britain class (Southern Railway Battle of Britain class 4-6-2 Pacific steam locomotive). It gained the number 34053 in 1948 when British Railways was formed. In 1960 it was transfered to the Bournemouth Depot where it was on the Pines Express on the Somerset & Dorset Line. She remained in Bournemouth until being withdrawn from service in 1965.

dndimg alt="Sir Keith Park 34053" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sir Keith Park 34053 Warwick Road Tyseley (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

After being withdrawn from service in 1965, she was towed to the Barry scrapyard in South Wales. But the locomotive wasn't scrapped. She was eventually towed to Barry Island where she remained for 18 years. A new owner bought her for preservation in 1979, but she didn't depart Barry Island until 1984. She was moved to Hull, but little was done to her. In 1992 she was sold to another owner and moved to Crewe. Again litte was done to her. By 1997 she was moved to the West Somerset Railway and was later purchased by Southern Locomotives Ltd in 2000. Restoration finally began in 2008. Returned to steam by 2012 not at the Swanage Railway as intended, but at the Severn Valley Railway. Naming ceremony took place in 2013 as Sir Keith Park at Bridgnorth. She can only run on heritage railways, but is not certified to run on National Rail railway lines. Probably why it was transferred by lorry!

dndimg alt="Sir Keith Park 34053" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sir Keith Park 34053 Warwick Road Tyseley (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos by Elliott Brown

The Shakespeare Express and The Polar Express

Most summers along the Shakespeare line, Vintage Trains used to run steam trains between Birmingham Snow Hill and Stratford-upon-Avon. They now also have a licence to run trains on the mainline from the Tyseley Locomotive Works to Birmingham Moor Street during the Christmas season. It is quite the sight to see a steam train going over the Bordesley Viaduct! Look out for it in Digbeth.

In September 2015, the Shakespeare Express was at Birmingham Snow Hill Station at platform 1. When I got to platform 3, saw the steam locomotive 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe decouple and head towards the Jewellery Quarter tunnels, before it returned and recoupled at the other end. Didn't have the best views from platform 3 to be honest!

dndimg alt="Shakespeare Express at Birmingham Snow Hill" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Shakespeare Express BSH 0915 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The steam locomotive is seen puffing away towards the tunnels that leads to Jewellery Quarter Station.

dndimg alt="Shakespeare Express at Birmingham Snow Hill" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Shakespeare Express BSH 0915 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Shakespeare Express at Birmingham Snow Hill" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Shakespeare Express BSH 0915 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The carriages at platform 1. They filled the length of the platform.

dndimg alt="Shakespeare Express at Birmingham Snow Hill" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Shakespeare Express BSH 0915 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I didn't have the best view from platform 3. One of the carriages as passengers walk past!

dndimg alt="Shakespeare Express at Birmingham Snow Hill" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Shakespeare Express BSH 0915 (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Earlier that day I saw The Shakespeare Express passing through Hall Green Station. The front of the engine was attached to the carriages. So the back end was heading towards Stratford-upon-Avon. They would probably have to decouple it again at Stratford-upon-Avon, so the engine would be facing the front towards Birmingham Snow Hill!

dndimg alt="Shakespeare Express passing Hall Green Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Shakespeare Express at Hall Green Station 0915 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The name plate of the special service is seen at the front.

dndimg alt="Shakespeare Express passing Hall Green Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Shakespeare Express at Hall Green Station 0915 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Most of the stations on the Shakespeare line opened in 1908 and are of the Edwardian period.

dndimg alt="Shakespeare Express passing Hall Green Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Shakespeare Express at Hall Green Station 0915 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Polar Express run by Vintage Trains started in the last week of November 2018 and will run throughout the Christmas season until late December 2018. Should be every Thursday to Sunday.

Steam puffing away into platform 4 at Birmingham Moor Street Station.

dndimg alt="Polar Express" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Polar Express at BMS 1118 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

There was photographers on both platforms. And probably on all the days that it is due in at Moor Street Station. As well as from the Moor Street Car Park view. The Poppy Appeal train from Chiltern Railways was at platform 3.

dndimg alt="Polar Express" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Polar Express at BMS 1118 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Rood Ashton Hall or as it is known during this Christmas season as the Polar Star slowly comes into the platform.

dndimg alt="Polar Express" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Polar Express at BMS 1118 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

There is a view from the ramps down from the Bullring to Moor Street Queensway.

dndimg alt="Polar Express" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Polar Express at BMS 1118 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Into the concourse then down the steps to Moor Street. Before that a few views as the Polar Star comes to a stop.

dndimg alt="Polar Express" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Polar Express at BMS 1118 (5A).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Seen with Chiltern Railways 68012 at platform 3. Platform 5 is the only platform yet to be restored at the station.

dndimg alt="Polar Express" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Polar Express at BMS 1118 (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I have also seen the Polar Express from a train I was on the next day passing through Bordesley Station. Was a bit awkward getting photos from the train as it passed. Later saw some views of the Polar Express returning to Tyseley over the Bordesley Viaduct through Digbeth. Quite a sight to see!

At the back was as diesel locomotive D1755 47 773.

dndimg alt="Bordesley Station D1755" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bordesley Station D1755 Polar Express.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I also noticed from my train that they have done up the Tyseley Locomotive Works around the Tyseley Warwick Road platform area for Christmas.

The Polar Express seen from the Bordesley Viaduct in Digbeth. The train was stationary on the viaduct, probably waiting for it's slot to go into Birmingham Moor Street Station. These views of 4965 Rood Ashton Hall / Polar Star from Oxford Street in Digbeth.

dndimg alt="Polar Express on the Bordesley Viaduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Polar Express Bordesley Viaduct (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Was a bit difficult to see it from this side, heading from Bordesley Street. So walked under the viaduct for a look on the other side of Oxford Street.

dndimg alt="Polar Express on the Bordesley Viaduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Polar Express Bordesley Viaduct (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

On this side of Oxford Street, Rood Ashton Hall seen with a pub that the Peaky Blinder Pub was due to take over (used to be an Irish pub called O'Rourkes).

dndimg alt="Polar Express on the Bordesley Viaduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Polar Express Bordesley Viaduct (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Had to walk further down Oxford Street and close to the Digbeth High Street.

dndimg alt="Polar Express on the Bordesley Viaduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Polar Express Bordesley Viaduct (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

These views of the back of the train. D1755 / 47 773 seen from Milk Street in Digbeth.

dndimg alt="Polar Express on the Bordesley Viaduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Polar Express Bordesley Viaduct (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

When you are up there, you don't realise how far down from the viaduct it is! The area is close to the Custard Factory, and various pieces of graffiti / street art.

dndimg alt="Polar Express on the Bordesley Viaduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Polar Express Bordesley Viaduct (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos by Elliott Brown

Cadbury No 14 - the diesel locomotive at Cadbury World

Before you start your visit to Cadbury World, you can't help but notice the diesel locomotive near the car park. It's Cadbury No 14. And has been located where it is now since 2007. Built in 1957 it was at the Cadbury factory at Moreton. Moved to the Llangollen Railway Society in 1978. Was donated to Cadbury by Burton Foods who now operate from Moreton.

It's a 20 ton diesel locomotive, but can be easily mistaken for a steam locomotive based on it's design!

dndimg alt="Cadbury No 14" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Cadbury No 14 (1)(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The front of the locomotive says Hudswell. It was made by Hudswell Clarke and has the number D1012. It was built in 1956.

dndimg alt="Cadbury No 14" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Cadbury No 14 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Moreton is in Merseyside. It had been at the Cadbury Schweppes, Moreton site, before it moved to Premier Brands UK Ltd in Moreton. After that it was moved to the car park of Cadbury World in 2007.

dndimg alt="Cadbury No 14" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Cadbury No 14 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

There was another Cadbury No 14 that used to run on the Cadbury factory's private railway, but I don't think this one was ever used at Bournville, only at Moreton.

dndimg alt="Cadbury No 14" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Cadbury No 14 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

After it left the Cadbury site at Moreton, Hudswell Clarke 0-4-0DM (D1012/1956) for a period was used at the heritage railway at Llangollen from 1978 until 2007.

dndimg alt="Cadbury No 14" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Cadbury No 14 (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

While the Cadbury private railway no longer exists, it is nice to see a locomotive from Cadbury's past, even if it wasn't originally based at factory at Bournville.

dndimg alt="Cadbury No 14" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Cadbury No 14 (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown in November 2015 on a visit to Cadbury World.

City of Birmingham 46235 at Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum

A steam locomotive named the City of Birmingham has been preserved and is now in Thinktank (where it can't move). Previously it was housed in the old Birmingham Museum of Science & Industry on Newhall Street until it closed in 1997. The public could see it again at Thinktank from 2001 onwards. In British Rail green. A bit hard to photograph all in one go due to where they put it.

City of Birmingham 46235

Built for the London Midland and Scottish Railway it was a Coronation Class steam locomotive originally with the number of 6235 and was built in 1939 at Crewe. It passed to British Railways in 1948 and was renamed to 46235. It's original colour was crimson lake, but during the Second World War it was given a black livery. The naming ceremony took place for the City of Birmingham at Birmingham New Street Station in March 1945, despite it having the name for years.

dndimg alt="City of Birmingham 46235 Thinktank" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/City of Birmingham locomotive Thinktank (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

After British Railways took it over in 1948, it was given a new short lived blue livery in 1950. It was repainted in Brunswick Green in April 1953. It was withdrawn from service in 1964 and kept the green livery through it's preservation.

dndimg alt="City of Birmingham 46235 Thinktank" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/City of Birmingham locomotive Thinktank (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Birmingham Museum of Science & Industry opened in 1951 at the former Elkington Works on Newhall Street. After a period at Nuneaton during preservation, the City of Birmingham locomotive was moved to the museum in 1966 which they built around it. It remained there until 1997 when the museum closed. This museum was free to enter.

dndimg alt="City of Birmingham 46235 Thinktank" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/City of Birmingham locomotive Thinktank (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum opened to the public in 2001 at Millennium Point, where they again built the new building / museum around where they placed the locomotive. In a fixed position so it can't move, but they built a pathway to the side so visitors can get up and close to it. The museum has an entrance fee (but you can get a discount if you get a bus or train voucher online).

dndimg alt="City of Birmingham 46235 Thinktank" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/City of Birmingham locomotive Thinktank (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

There is information panels on this side, close to where you can see the City of Birmingham name plate, plus the cities coat of arms.

dndimg alt="City of Birmingham 46235 Thinktank" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/City of Birmingham locomotive Thinktank (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Light from the Millennium Point windows at the time made it a bit hard to get photos in decent light, but that may have changed since my visit. Although even with the bright light and the new Science Garden outside in Eastside City Park, may still make it a bit hard to see, unless it's a cloudy day.

dndimg alt="City of Birmingham 46235 Thinktank" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/City of Birmingham locomotive Thinktank (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

If you want to get a photo of the side of the locomotive all in one, then it's simply not possible. I had to take a series of photos and later stitch them together to make a panoramic, then alter the photo. My visit with these photos was in 2013.

dndimg alt="City of Birmingham 46235 Thinktank" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/City of Birmingham locomotive Thinktank (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This is as close as you can get from the front. The locomotive has not steamed since it was preserved back in the 1960s, and anyone wishes to see it on the mainline or on heritage railways in the future, then they would have to remove the wall and windows in front of the locomotive. Having the Thinktank Science Garden in front from 2012 onwards also makes it difficult to remove. I remember seeing it in the old Science Museum on Newhall Street in the 1990s. Back then it may have been able to go back and forward on the rails, but it can't do that now at Thinktank, it's in a fixed position.

dndimg alt="City of Birmingham 46235 Thinktank" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/City of Birmingham locomotive Thinktank (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Diesel locomotives at the Tyseley Locomotive Works

It's not just steam locomotives to be found at a Tyseley Locomotive Works open day. They also have diesel engines in their collection, plus other diesel engines come to visit, or are there for maintenance / restoration as well.

In this post, we will show you what diesel locomotives are in Tyseley's collection, or which ones have visited on open days. Most of them were in service between the 1950s and 1980s before they were retired. Many were scrapped, some were preserved.

Their only operational Class 47 is 47773. Built 1964. BR Co-Co Class 47. Also known as D1755 The Queen Mother. Seen below in the engine shed at Tyseley. You can also see it from the walkway above. Although the best views of it was from both ends of the train.

dndimg alt="D1755 47 773 at Tyseley Locomotive Works" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/D1755 47 773 The Queen Mother at Tyseley LW.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Seen below in September 2016 was 47760 owned by West Coast Railways. It is now located at Carnforth.

dndimg alt="47760 close to the turntable at Tyseley LW in 2016" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/47760 at Tyseley LW Sept 2016.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

37263 seen at the September 2016 open day. BR Co-Co Class 37. Built in 1965. It is currently located at the Telford Steam Railway.

dndimg alt="37263 at Tyseley Locomotive Works" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/37 263 at Tyseley LW.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

40 118 seen at the September 2018 open day. BR 1Co-Co1 Class 40. Built 1961. Undergoing a major restoration.

dndimg alt="40 118 at Tyseley Locomotive Works" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/40 118 at Tyseley LW.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

50 033 seen at the September 2016 open day. It is named "Glorious". BR Co-Co Class 50. Built 1968. Glorious 'Hoover' is now undergoing a restoration at Kidderminster. It arrived at the Severn Valley Railway in late May 2018. They are hoping to get it ready for the gala marking 50 years of Class 50s.

dndimg alt="50 033 at Tyseley Locomotive Works in Sept 2016" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/50 033 at Tyseley LW.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A visitor to the Tyseley Locomotive Works in April 2018 was 56301. Class 56. Now owned by the Class 56 Group. Built sometime between 1976 and 1984. It was delivered to Tyseley by lorry propably for an open day that spring.

dndimg alt="56301 seen at Tyseley Locomotive Works" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/56301 at Tyseley LW.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

13029 (08021) from the area where you can watch steam trains going up the line nearby. BR 0-6-0 Class 08. Built 1953.

dndimg alt="13029 (08021) at Tyseley Locomotive Works" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/13029 (08021) at Tyseley LW.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

On open days they have one train at Tyseley Warwick Road with a Buffet Car. In September 2016 that was behind The Flying Scotsman. This time in September 2018 the Buffet Car was close to the buffer. There was about four Class 50 trains behind.

dndimg alt="Buffet Car at Tyseley Warwick Road" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Buffet car at Tyseley LW.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Now a look at the four visiting Class 50 diesel locomotives that were at Tyseley Warwick Road behind the buffet car.

50 006 Neptune. D406. Built 1968. Named in 1978. The first Class 50 to be refurbished. The original Neptune was scrapped in 1988. It is actually 50 007 Hercules (that number / name pair could be seen on from the other platform).

dndimg alt="50 006 Neptune at Tyseley Warwick Road" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/50 006 Neptune at Tyseley LW.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

50 007 Hercules. D407. Built 1968. Named 1978. Renamed to Sir Edward Elgar in 1984. Renamed back to Hercules in 2014. Now owned by the Class 50 Alliance. 50 006 Neptune is on the other side of the train.

dndimg alt="50 007 Hercules at Tyseley Warwick Road" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/50 007 Hercules at Tyseley LW.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

50 011 Centurion.  D411. Built 1968. Named 1978. First Class 50 to be withdrawn. The original Centurion was scrapped in 1992. It is actually 50 049 Defiance (that number / name pair could be seen from the other platform).

dndimg alt="50 011 Centurion at Tyseley Warwick Road" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/50 011 Centurion at Tyseley LW.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

50 049 Defiance.  D449. Built 1968. Named 1978. Now owned by the Class 50 Alliance. 50 011 Centurion is on the other side of the train.

dndimg alt="50 049 Defiance at Tyseley Warwick Road" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/50 049 Defiance at Tyseley LW.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown at the September 2016 and September 2018 open days at the Tyseley Locomotive Works.

Tyseley Locomotive Works 50th Anniversary

The 50th Anniversary of the Tyseley Locomotive Works was in late September 2018. There are regular open days held at Tyseley ever year. The site is run by Vintage Trains who restores old steam locomotives, and sometimes has them on the national network such as the Shakespeare Express.

Originally built in 1908 as the Great Western Railway's Tyseley depot, Vintage Trains has been operating here since the mid to late 1960s restoring old steam locomotives. At one point the Tyseley Locomotive Works was known as the Birmingham Railway Museum, but the site is now only open to the public on certain open days during each year. They also attract vintage cars, traction engines and model railway clubs to the site. In September 2016, the famous Flying Scotsman paid a visit to Tyseley and Birmingham.

dndimg alt="GWR Tyseley Locomotive Works" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/GWR Tyseley Locomotive Works 1908.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Part of the site is now the West Midlands Railway Diesel Multiple-Unit Depot (formerly London Midland / Central Trains / British Rail), but here we are focussing on the vintage trains part of the site.

You will find that a lot of the trains are giving off steam (especially the steam locomotives on site). Most of the main loco's are positioned around the turntable in the middle.

dndimg alt="Tyseley Locomotive Works open day Sept 2016" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Tyseley Locomotive Works open day 0916.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The turntable seen in 2016.

dndimg alt="Tyseley Locomotive Works Turntable" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/TLW Turntable front.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Tyseley Locomotive Works Turntable" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/TLW Turntable middle.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

No 1. Called Percy. Peckett and Sons 0-4-0ST. Lined Maroon. Built 1942.

dndimg alt="Tyseley Locomotive Works Turntable No 1" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/TLW Turntable No 1.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe. GWR 4-6-0 4073 Castle Class. BR Green, Early Emblem. Built 1936.

dndimg alt="5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe on the TLW turntable" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/TLW Turntable 5043.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Seen on the turntable in September 2018 the recently restored 7029 Clun Castle. GWR 4-6-0 4073 Castle Class. BR Green, Late Crest. Built 1950.

dndimg alt="7029 Clun Castle at Tyseley Locomotive Works" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/7029 Clun Castle - Tyseley Locomotive Works.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Seen in September 2016. 4965 Rood Ashton Hall. GWR 4-6-0 49xx Hall Class. GWR Green. Built 1931.

dndimg alt="4965 Rood Ashton Hall Tyseley LW" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/4965 Rood Ashton Hall Tyseley LW.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Seen during September 2016 around the turntable. 5593 Kolhapur. 5XP Jubilee. Built in 1934. Now on display waiting a restoration.

dndimg alt="5593 Kolhapur at Tyseley Locomotive Works" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/5593 Kolhapur at Tyseley LW.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Seen on the open day of September 2018. 45596 Bahamas. LMS 4-6-0 5XP Jubilee. Built 1935. Used to be at the National Railway Museum in York. Moved to the Tyseley Locomotive Works in 2013 for restoration. Bahamas Locomotive Society have owned it since 1967.

dndimg alt="45596 Bahamas at Tyseley Locomotive Works" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/45596 Bahamas at Tyseley LW.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

9600 is used on open days to pull the carriages so visitors can enjoy a train ride. It was not used in September 2018 (but was in September 2016). GWR 0-6-0PT 57xx Class. Built 1945.

dndimg alt="9600 at Tyseley Locomotive Works" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/9600 at Tyseley Locomotive Works.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

L94 London Transport seen pulling carriages with visitors enjoying a train ride up and down the line. You get on at Tyseley Warwick Road if you have tickets. Seen September 2018. GWR 0-6-0PT 57xx Class.Built 1930. Used on the London Underground from 1959 to 1971.

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Something you don't normally see much at Tyseley is 60103 The Flying Scotsman. It visited Birmingham and the Midlands in September 2016, and was at Tyseley Warwick Road for the open day. It also went on the Severn Valley Railway at the time, and you could also see it on the Snow Hill lines. It had come down from the National Railway Museum in York, and was making a nationwide tour after a decade long restoration of the famous engine!

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During the open day visits, you get a chance to see what locomotives that are undergoing restoration, or what they are building here.

In September 2016, 7029 Clun Castle was undergoing a full restoration. It was completed by October 2017. See the photo above of it on the turntable during the September 2018 open day.

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Another engine was seen in the same spot in September 2018 undergoing a restoration / rebuild. 4936 Kinlet Hall can be seen having an overhaul to the left. It was bought in 1981 by the Kinlet Hall Locomotive Company. It had operated on various heritage railways, first restoration completed at Tyseley in 1996. It needed a second restoration from summer 2016, and is now undergoing a complete overhaul. While 71000 The Impossible Dream was still to the right. More on that engine below.

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No 670 seen in September 2016. This was a completely new steam locomotive. They started to build it in 1986! But as of 2018 it has never been finished! It is a LNWR Bloomer Class 2-2-2 replica. Was 90% completed by 1990.

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A close up look at The Impossible Dream 71000 The Duke of Gloucester. Built in 1954. BR Standard Class 8 4-6-2. Seen at the September 2018 open day, it is still under going restoration. They need donations to help restore it. A long way to go.

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