Vintage Trains were pleased to anounce a late change to this trip having secured permission to run over the Kingsbury Branch Sidings and along the branch to Birch Coppice freight terminal. We believe that this was the first time that a steam train has run on this branch since steam disappeared from Saltley shed in early 1967 and certainly since it was reopened several years ago. This was achieved with the considerable assistance of EWS Railways and the owners of Birch Coppice, IM Properties.

Vintage Trains also received much support for the trip to Ironbridge from E-ON at Ironbridge Power Station together with EWS railways.

Vintage Trains would also like to thank Network Rail & West Coast Railway Company for assistance in organising this trip. And the final 'Thank you' to our customers who supported this trip which allowed it to happen.

PS. We were also able to organise a short stop at Coleshill Parkway for photographs. This was the first steam train ever to call at this new station.

Approaching Small Heath The day starts as 9466 gets underway Graham Gifford		At Lea Marston heading for Kingsbury Gary Wood		Kingsbury before joining the branch Ian Stafford
Kingsbury Branch heading for Birch Coppice Ian Stafford		Wood End on Kingsbury Branch Kingsbury to Birch Coppice freight line near Wood End Graham Gifford		Birch Coppice Freight Terminal 9466 running forward for water and to run round Brian Wilson
Birch Coppice Running Round 9466 running back along exchange sidings Brian Wilson		Coleshill Parkway 9466 pauses at the new station for a short photo stop Brian Wilson		Ready to leave Coleshill Parkway for Water Orton and then Sutton Park Brian Wilson
Sutton Park Autumn tints Barry Fitzpatrick		Chester Road, Streetly heading towards Walsall Graham Gifford		Wolverhampton HL A pathing stop Ian Allison
Madeley Junction leaving the main line Ian Allison		Coalbrookdale Viaduct heading towards Coalbrookdale & Ironbridge Adie Taylor		Coalbrookdale Brian Wilson
Arriving at Ironbridge PS The train looks diminutive Brian Wilson		Ironbridge PS run round After watering 9466 runs round the train Brian Wilson		Ironbridge PS 9466 preparing to back on Brian Wilson
Albert Edward Bridge The Severn Valley looking south Brian Wilson		Approaching the Albert Edward Bridge The train is about to cross cross the River Severn and start the steep climb up to Lightmoor Junction Brian Wilson		Albert Edward Bridge The Severn Valley looking north Brian Wilson
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Photographs: We welcome photographs of our trains and engines.  If you want to send photographs to us to use, then these can be digital images, prints, transparencies or negatives. By sending them you are agreeing to them being published on the Shakespeare Express web site, the Vintage Trains web site or in 'Steam In Trust' (the magazine of Vintage Trains Society), or occasionally for our publicity. See notes to photographers>>