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updated 04/02/08
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4965 Rood Ashton Hall passing Penmaenmawr
4965 Rood Ashton Hall at Penmaenmawr
Neville Wellings

 Vintage Trains is one of the U.K.'s leading operators of main line steam train excursions. Based in the Midlands, we offer an attractive and varied choice of destinations.

As a subsidiary of the Birmingham Railway Museum Trust, ticket sales income is reinvested in running, maintaining and rebuilding historic engines, rolling stock and equipment kept at Tyseley Locomotive Works.


Fare paying passengers not only enjoy the sights, sounds and experiences of travel of a bygone era, but are also effectively joining with trustees, our small staff complement and our very able and professional volunteers to keep the heritage of mainline steam alive… join us by buying tickets… today! See Our Excursion Programme>>

The Shakespeare Express is a regular summer steam train service which we operate between Birmingham & Stratford-upon-Avon. It is an affordable way of enjoying mainline steam and it is popular for families. Summer 2008 will be the 10th season of of this popular steam train.

We use our own train of coaches for use on the Shakespeare Express and for other main line excursions, which feature large picture windows and traditional ventilation, so that passengers can fully savour the steam train experience.

In 2007 we introduced our new 'Explorer' train set , which can be operated at up to 90 mph using classic diesel locomotives. This train offers a high level of passenger comfort being comprised of ex-BR mark 2 air-conditioned carriages together with Tyseley's well known BR Mk 1 Pullman Cars (as used on the East Coast Pullman services). This enabled Vintage Trains to offer a new passenger experience, a greater choice of scenic routes, interesting destinations together with a variety of possible 'off train' options.

Enjoy a relaxing day out in comfort and style on board our new mk 2 air-conditioned carriages or our classic Pullman carriages.

For 2008 we also plan to use a classic AC electric locomotive with this train, which opens up further possibilities for interesting excursions from the Midlands.

47 773 & 86 259 at Tyseley

4965 Rood Ashton Hall heading the Shakespeare Express
4965 Rood Ashton Hall heading the Shakespeare Express
Clive Hanley

We hope you will join us on the Shakespeare Express and some (or all!) of our day excursions from our varied programme of days out using classic steam, diesel or electric locomotives to haul the trains.

Additionally, we operate complete trains (engine & coaches) for private charter and corporate bookings.  We provide engines for use on other operators' trains, and we provide rakes of coaches (optionally fully stewarded) for use by other operators who may wish to make their own locomotive arrangements.

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.

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