Spotlight on Vintage Trains

As we move into 2021, it is perhaps a good time to look at what is happening with Vintage Trains, one of the key players in keeping steam and vintage diesel hauled trains back in the public domain. We are pleased to take this opportunity to look at what is happening with the locomotive fleet and perhaps what we might be able to look forward to once the country is out of the COVID-19 nightmare. We begin, however, with news of the retirement of one of Vintage Trains key members of staff and one whose face will be well-known to travellers on the Vintage Train’s special offerings.

Vintage Trains Driver Ray Churchill, Main Line Steam Locomotive Legend, Retires After 60 Years as a Railwayman

From junior train spotter to Vintage Trains steam locomotive driver and footplate legend, Driver Ray Churchill has decided to hang up his signature red scarf and grease top, curtailing his long and illustrious railway career with retirement from the main line.

Ray was born in October 1941 in Wednesbury, in the Black Country. He recalls a happy childhood travelling to holiday destinations in his father’s motorcycle and sidecar and his first close encounter with steam, waving to passing GWR Dukedogs at Barmouth. His first ride brought him to tears – first of fright, being so close to the engine, then delight as he didn’t want to get off! From then he was hooked.

Joining the Railways

His passion for railways and football continued, funding these led to a Saturday job in a local butcher’s shop which became his fulltime job on leaving school at 15, but not for long. Railways continued to beckon and a visit to Bescot freight depot landed him a job as a cleaner for the princely sum of 72 shillings and 6 pence (£3.65p) a week in 1957. He got on well and firing school followed, eventually passing out as a passed fireman in 1966, having experienced several turns on the west coast mainline. Steam had by then disappeared from Bescot but he was delighted when loco 48195 (8F) was borrowed from Saltley Shed in order that he could pass out on a steamer. Further training took him to driver status in 1972.

Ray continued to work at Bescot through the BR days, driving for various freight companies until he eventually retired from EWS late in 2001. He was a first aider and regularly took part in competitions. He was awarded a certificate of special merit after going to the assistance of a person electrocuted on the 25,000volt overhead line system.

Joining the Heritage Fleet

Apart from a few forays into heritage steam driving while he was at Bescot, it returned to his veins big time in 2002 when he was approached by West Coast Railways to drive steam specials across the UK network. Ray describes these years as the ‘icing on the cake’. With WCR he ‘learned the road’ into Cornwall, his favourite piece of railway, retiring from WCR in 2016.

In 2018 he was approached by the reborn Vintage Trains, now a Train Operating Company, with plans to grow its business in the heritage railtour sector. He was reluctant at first, as he was happy with his hobbies of DIY and living the good life with his new wife within the sound of the Severn Valley Railway at Highley. B

But visiting Tyseley and seeing the newly restored Clun Castle, he twisted his own arm and climbed back on to the footplate. Equipped with his new driving licence, Ray was firmly back at the regulator of Clun and Bahamas for the 2019 season. A major highlight for Ray was The Polar Express season where he recalls the huge pleasure and emotional experience he felt from seeing the faces of hundreds of delighted children (and parents).

The End of the Line

With Covid-19 curtailing all VT steam operations in 2020, now in his late ‘70s Ray realised that by the time he could take the regulator again he would be effectively starting from scratch with route and rule refreshing plus medicals ahead. So, after 60 years on

the railway, the grease top and prominent red scarf retire along with one of the UK’s legends of the heritage steam era.

A Tribute from the Boss

Michael Whitehouse, Chairman of Vintage Trains said: “Only recently did I learn that Ray and I first met on the footplate of the very last Harborne Express in 1963, little did we know then that our paths would cross again in the new millennium. His willingness to step out of retirement in 2018 and drive on VT tours was an enormous help in establishing our own operations as a TOC.

Vintage Trains is a strong, integrated team and the Churchills have been a core part of our operation, Ray delivering some spectacular performances on the main line with his usual finesse and care for his steed, while his wife Nickey is busy onboard selling souvenirs to our passengers.

We wish them both a long and healthy retirement and look forward to seeing them both regularly at Tyseley. I’m sure that Ray will need no persuasion to take the regulator again on our open days!”

Ray Churchill anecdotes

It’s fascinating to listen to Ray’s reminiscences. On one occasion Ray was firing a Britannia from Birmingham to Crewe on a Warwickshire Loco Society Special to Carlisle and it would not steam, Ray carefully coaxing the loco along the West Coast mainline. He was relieved at Crewe and relayed his problems to the new fireman; subsequently the loco was taken off at Carnforth with leaking superheater tubes.

In another incident, he was the driver of a diesel hauled empty fuel tank train which experienced a serious derailment. As a result of the way he dealt with the situation, the rule book was changed, and he was awarded a commendation from Network Rail.

Another time he was running across the Berks & Hants on an A4 when they ran out of water 5 miles before the water stop at Theale. Each time the locomotive leaned into a curve Ray instructed the fireman to open the corresponding injector and when it leaned into the opposite curve, to swap injectors. They just made it as the water was disappearing out of the bottom of the glass!

including unfamiliar territory such as Stirling and Edinburgh in Scotland. 5043 has recorded some remarkable performances in preservation, including several non-stop runs, recreating The Bristolian, The Cheltenham Spa Express and The Inter City. More recently, she ran on the Plymouth to Bristol route and shaved a few minutes off 7029's own record. So now we have two record breakers in the collection. 5043 will be back in action in the second half of 2021 after a 10-year boiler overhaul.

A Quick Look at the VT Fleet

Earl of Mount Edgcumbe

5043 is our second member of the Castle class but built in 1936 and so an authentic GWR locomotive, named after one of the Directors of the GWR. She was also fitted with the same modifications as 7029 and ran some of the Western Region's top expresses including The Bristolian, being shedded at London's Old Oak Common depot. When withdrawn, she was consigned to Barry scrapyard but found too good to destroy. Tyseley Locomotive Works rebuilt 5043 to exacting standards and she has run far and wide for Vintage Trains,

Vintage Trains – Pacers and 4555

Our new Pacer sets have arrived at Tyseley in two trains – 144014 and 019 together, followed by 023.

By coincidence, GWR prairie tank 4555 from the Dartmouth Steam Railway but originally preserved on the Dart Valley Railway was steamed for the first time today following boiler work at Tyseley Locomotive Works. 4555 was the first loco bought directly out of BR service

by the Vintage Trains forefathers. We have also received stock directly out of main line service following that tradition.

Thanks to the generosity of Porterbrook Leasing, three 3-car sets have arrived at Tyseley to join the existing steam fleet in a sponsorship arrangement ensuring that the Pacer continues to run on the main line for the benefit of enthusiasts and the general public alike.

Only ten three car sets were produced out of a fleet total of twenty-three (the rest were two-car sets), all were built at BREL (Derby) using Walter Alexander bodies on a BREL underframe.

The Pacer is an important part not only of railway innovation and heritage but also the social history of the UK. Their last operator was Northern where they saw service across West Yorkshire, the 144s offering a unique insight into the lives of workers across the North East over a period of 30 years. Loathed by some and loved by many (the ‘Marmite’ trains), they are worthy of preservation in their own right. Pacers offer a versatile and easy to maintain platform and will help expand the scope of VT operations.

These three sets come in very good condition, forced out of service with Northern Trains early as a result of Covid-19. They were built in 1987 with two driving cars and one trailer, all three cars in the set being powered. All 144s were refurbished in a programme commencing in 2002.

Michael Whitehouse, Chairman of Vintage Trains, said: ‘Vintage Trains’ core operation is currently a mix of long-distance charters and The Shakespeare Express summer programme, the majority pulled by express steam locomotives and all offering fine dining options, but the market is evolving. Enthusiasts will undoubtedly crave a ride on the mainline in a Pacer, particularly on new routes for the class, but our sets will primarily be used to expand Vintage Trains into the ‘experience’ sector, targeting new audiences and building on the success of The Polar Express’.

He added: ‘Individuals and families, particularly those with young children, are looking for a ‘day out with a difference’ experiences – entertainment on a train. The success of The Polar Express on the mainline over the last two years has shown that a theatrical performance on a train is much in demand with other productions already in the planning stage for the future. The Pacer is ideally suited to such activity at an affordable price’.

There is no doubt that enthusiasts will delight in a mainline Pacer ride on unfamiliar routes for the class including the ever popular ‘branch line’ specials. The West Midlands is unfamiliar territory for Class 144, so initial route clearance is being requested for the Worcester/Birmingham Snow Hill/Stratford upon Avon corridor.

Further details on the future operation of the Pacers and a potential programme of events will be announced in due course.

Castle Class: 7029 Clun Castle

The locomotive which started it all for Vintage Trains, Clun Castle is a relative newcomer having been built in 1950 by British Railways to the famous Great Western Railway Castle class design. Modified towards the end of her career with a four-row superheater and double chimney, this enabled her to compete with new diesels being introduced on fast trains. And compete she did, taking the record for the shortest timed point to point journey from Plymouth to Bristol in 1964 from the previous record holder, City of Truro. This epic run by the last of her class in every day service ensured 7029's preservation and she came to Tyseley to begin a distinguished second

career in preservation. She powered the last express steam train on the GWR's northern route to Birkenhead, the last steam train out of both Birmingham Snow Hill and Moor Street stations, so making a trilogy of lasts as she was also the last steam locomotive to run out of Paddington, hauling the last steam train on the Western Region. Not content with that, 7029 hauled the first 'Return to Steam' celebration, run ending the infamous BR steam ban, and was the first steam locomotive to return to Cornwall, a highlight of the 150th anniversary of the GWR. In 1988 she was driven part way to Tyseley by HRH The Prince of Wales in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the London & Birmingham Railway and also ran the very first Shakespeare Express under the Vintage Trains banner. 2021 is special because Vintage Trains is back on the main line but it's also a special year for steam heritage. 70 years ago, a group of Birmingham business men led the way for the preservation of the Talyllyn Railway, the first to be preserved as a heritage railway by volunteers. They went on to establish the forerunner of Vintage Trains, purchasing from BR and privately operating steam locomotives out of Tyseley on the UK rail network, including 7029 Clun Castle. At the same time, the Stephenson Locomotive Society started its special rail tours to Swindon Works from Birmingham, regularly featuring the last of a famous Great Western Railway locomotive class.

We celebrate both of these milestones in our plans for 2021 with special trains and an anniversary open weekend at Tyseley.

Our 2021 programme offers new routes and old favourites, anniversary celebrations and visiting locomotives. The tour programme will appeal to railway diners, Covid-19 weary travellers yearning for a traditional day out and rail enthusiasts alike.

Vintage Trains Returns to the Main Line with Packed Programme for Spring and Summer 2021

FIRST SLS special train to Swindon for decades…

* FIRST 7029 to Scarborough * FIRST Heart of Wales Line tour * NEW Double headed Class 20s * NEW Online booking on new website - launched on December 23rd. * NEW Free secure parking at Tyseley * NEW High quality Pullman dining with varied menus on most trains * PLUS 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe returns on The Shakespeare Express

2021 TRAIN REGISTER - This list was provided before the latest UK Government Lockdown - watch for further details on Vintage Trains Ltd on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/vintagetrains

Railway Roundabout - Saturday 20th March

Clun Castle Birmingham, Coleshill Parkway, Leicester and return

The Red Dragon - Saturday 20th April

Clun Castle Birmingham-Cardiff and return

Welsh Marches Express - Saturdays 24th April/12th June/July 3rd

Clun Castle/Bahamas/Duchess of Sutherland respectively Birmingham-Hereford-Shrewsbury-Birmingham

North Wales Coast Express - Saturday 1st May

Clun Castle Birmingham-Llandudno and return

SLS 70 - Stephenson Locomotive Society 70th Anniversary Special - Saturday 15th May

Clun Castle - last of her class in BR passenger service Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of SLS special trains to Swindon Works Birmingham-Worcester-Swindon-Birmingham

The White Rose - Saturday 22nd May

47773 The Queen Mother and Bahamas Birmingham-York and return

Scarborough Spa Express - Saturday 5th June

Clun Castle Birmingham-Scarborough and return

The Midland Bristolian - Saturday 19th June

Duchess of Sutherland Derby-Bristol and return via the Lickey Incline

The Jolly Fisherman - Saturday 10th July

2 x Class 20s Birmingham-Skegness and return

The Buxton Jubilee - Saturday 24th July

Bahamas Birmingham-Buxton and return

The Welshman - Saturday 7th August

Bahamas Birmingham-Holyhead and return

Heart of Wales Explorer - Saturday 14th August

2 x Class 20s Birmingham-Swansea-Llandrindod Wells-Shrewsbury-Birmingham

The Shakespeare Express - Sundays 18th July to 12th September

Steam from a pool of: Clun Castle, Earl of Mount Edgcumbe and Bahamas Birmingham-Stratford upon Avon-Birmingham Birmingham trains start from Tyseley Locomotive Works where free parking is available and must be booked with tickets. Many trains are steam-hauled only with no diesel assistance - details are shown in the tour programme on the website.

PLUS: Tyseley Locomotive Works annual open weekend and volunteer 70th anniversary party - 26th and 27th July

Celebrating the 70th anniversary of railway volunteering Watch the website for further information. Travel in Pullman with full restaurant car service; Club; Tourist or take a Private Compartment for up to 6. Full details of pricing, and catering choices will be available on the website from December 23rd.