‘CLUN’S’ COTSWOLDS TOUR: SCHEDULE CONFIRMED
Tyseley hopes long-awaited return to the main line will appeal to enthusiasts old and new.
March 9. That’s the confirmed date of the debut public trip for Clun Castle through the Cotswolds, which is to open Tyseley’s first full programme using its new in-house operator (SR489).
It follows trial runs for the 1950-built 4-6-0 on February 19, as well as planned trains for shareholders in Tyseley’s Vintage Trains Community Benefit Society to Worcester on February 28 and March 7.
VT Managing Director Cath Bellamy said the programme “combines some of our old favourites – quite literally back by popular demand – with some new ideas. We see a big opportunity to attract lots of passengers who would be new to steam.”
However, it’s the return of the doublechimney No. 7029 to the main line for the first time since 1988 (and its first official 75mph running since the ’60s) that’s likely to prove the biggest draw for gricers. Always seen as Tyseley’s flagship engine, the Swindon machine is to spearhead this year’s programme, with Rood Ashton Hall to be the understudy, in addition to a plan for as yet unnamed guest motive power. To supplement its own stock, Tyseley is to use chocolate and cream Mk 1s from Riviera Trains (SR489).
As well as March 9, Tyseley plans to run its ‘Cotswold Explorer’ on April 6, June 1, July 6 and October 12. Other ‘regulars’ include the ‘Welsh Marches’ (Hereford) on May 25, July 13 and September 14, while the ‘Chester Venturer’ to the
city named in the title is on April 28, June 8, July 20 and October 19. This year’s repeat-itinerary Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon ‘Shakespeare Express’ series runs on Sundays between July 21 and September 8. All these trips are expected to start from either Birmingham Snow Hill or Moor Street.
Individual excursions include one to the Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza on May Day Bank Holiday, with other one-offs to be confirmed later. A series of dining trips is also planned (SR489).
At Tyseley itself, open weekends are planned for June 22/23 and September 29/30.
Tyres have now been ordered for the overhaul of Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, out of traffic for ‘heavy general’ since last year, while work on classmate
No. 5080 Defiant has started with the construction of a new Collett-design riveted tender tank.
Tyseley’s Vintage Trains CBS share scheme remains open until April 30. The £500 minimum shareholding can now be paid in monthly instalments, provided the first is received by the closing date.
WE SEE A BIG OPPORTUNITY TO ATTRACT LOTS OF PASSENGERS WHO WOULD BE NEW TO STEAM
CATH BELLAMY, MANAGING DIRECTOR, VT