Tyseley to stage its next open day entirely online

HAVING cancelled its 2020 railtour programme, as reported in Main Line News, page 50, Vintage Trains is going ahead with its popular Tyseley Open Day. However, the June 27 all- day event will be held only in virtual reality.

The day will include a celebration of 35 years of the 'Shakespeare Express' ( including footage ofthe first on June 8/ 9, 1985 when fares were just £ 7.50 return), an early morning photographic charter, an event opening ceremony, visiting locomotives including main line specials, locomotive namings, the miniature railway, shuttle trains and even a royal visit.

' Attendees' will be able to look around Tyseley's GWR roundhouse and inside today's locomotive works. See the' Shakespeare Express' arrive in Stratford, take a trip on an afternoon shuttle train to Dorridge and watch the cavalcade at the end of the day.

Everyone is encouraged to post photographs, video and stories/ anecdotes as the day's events unfold. Videos of previous open days or personal photographs and memories of a favourite locomotive are welcome.

Footage of Prince Charles visiting the site on September 14, 1988 will also be screened.

Vintage Trains is now planning to develop the' Shakespeare Express' with a more intensive timetable from 2021 as the North Warwickshire Line via Shirley to Stratford- upon- Avon, which still has much of its GWR infrastructure in place, develops with a strong community involvement. Tyseley station, for example has been adopted by Vintage Trains and Henley- in Arden- station has recently been similarly taken under the wing of a local community group.

➔ To attend the open day, log on to www. facebook. com/ vintagetrainosr/ Twitter:@ VintageT_ rains