About Birmingham Railway Museum Trust
The Trust is the custodian of the Tyseley Collection of railway engines & railway artefacts was established to preserve and demonstrate the steam locomotives. The Collection belongs to 7029 Clun Castle Ltd which is a registered educational charity.
The Trust was established to preserve and demonstrate the steam locomotives. In 1999 it achieved its long held objective of running a regular steam train service on the national mainline railway network between Birmingham and Stratford-upon-Avon.
With this step change in Trust activities, it was felt that the term 'museum' no longer fully embodied the Trusts latest activities and so a progressive re-branding commenced for the new millennium. Whilst the museum activities continue, the now familiar name is now making way for those of the Trust's the two operating subsidiaries - Tyseley Locomotive Works & Vintage Trains.
Vintage Trains Steam Train Excursions
Vintage Trains is the main line operating subsidiary. Vintage Trains uses engines from the Tyseley collection plus guest locomotives to haul steam excursions on the national mainline railway network. The Excursion Programme offers a an attractive and varied choice of destinations. These tours make an excellent day out for both families and railway enthusiasts.
Shakespeare Express
The Shakespeare Express is a regular summer steam service between Birmingham & Stratford-upon-Avon. This is a somewhat different experience to travelling on a preserved railway line capturing the feelings of the 1950s holiday trains on the journey to Stratford, and then the romance of the steam express train on the trip to Birmingham. It has great appeal to families and is an affordable way of enjoying mainline steam. It is increasingly being used by coach and tour operators as an exciting new feature within their programme.
Tyseley Locomotive Works & Visitor Centre
Tyseley Locomotive Works is the engineering subsidiary of the Trust. Locomotives and other rolling stock are restored, maintained and serviced on the site of the former Great Western locomotive depot & works at Tyseley.
The Museum & Depot site is now known as Tyseley Locomotive Works Visitor Centre and it is the home base for Vintage Trains and the Shakespeare Express. From 2009, there are new arrangements for public admission to the Works site and Visitor Centre. See details>>
Vintage Trains Society
We have an active supporters group called the Vintage Trains Society. Members provide volunteer support assisting with events, restoration, stewarding on trains and fund raising. Indeed it would be impossible to operate the trains without the dedicated band of volunteers. Why not consider becoming a member for a small annual subscription so that you may play a part in a growing heritage railway organisation providing leisure activities and nostalgic days out to the public using the main line rail network. You will also enjoy a number of membership benefits too.
Stratford Railway Tourist Centre & Steam Locomotive Centre Project
In October 2004, the Trust was pleased to announce the acquisition of a site adjacent to Stratford-on-Avon Station for use as Stratford Railway Tourist Centre and Steam Locomotive Centre. This is another important step towards boosting the regular steam service by improving operational flexibility by the the creation of a steam train servicing centre at the southern end of the Shakespeare Line. A small museum is also being considered.
