Polar Express Trains Question

[csinc]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone knew where the Polar Express trains being run out of Birmingham Moor Street run to before returning on each roundtrip?

They seem to have quite a few runs each day they are operating so I thought it would be an easy way to see multiple steam trains in a day.

Thank you for your help!

 

[Steddenm]

As far as I'm aware they go to Dorridge and back according to RTT.

 

[LowLevel]

It is indeed Dorridge.

 

[tnxrail]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone knew where the Polar Express trains being run out of Birmingham Moor Street run to before returning on each roundtrip?

They seem to have quite a few runs each day they are operating so I thought it would be an easy way to see multiple steam trains in a day.

Thank you for your help!

Steam and diesel top and tail, so one will lead half the trip. Route change seemingly from last time to Dorridge instead of to Tyseley Steam Trust.

 

[zwk500]

Steam and diesel top and tail, so one will lead half the trip. Route change seemingly from last time to Dorridge instead of to Tyseley Steam Trust.

That'll please the MOM! No need to be clipping and unclipping points all afternoon.

 

[LowLevel]

Unless it has changed there is I think one weekday peak time journey that only goes to Tyseley. Trips should be 20 or 47 leading from Birmingham with Castle on the block end at Moor Street.

 

[csinc]

Thank you all for the answers!

 

[05 003]

So far I only knew the US version with the Berkshire type locomotive ..
.. vastly super-enlarged to 20 ft height ..
but nice, in a way I like it!
Sara

 

[steamybrian]

There are other heritage railways operating Polar Express trains..

 

[tnxrail]

7029 & 20142 out today ran straight from Tyseley to Dorridge then on to Birmingham Moor Street just had a few staff on so a training Run? as the start date is 26th:

(if video is not okay remove the link)

 

[05 003]

steamybrian:

Oh, I see ------- !
Well - at present Putin sort of takes Russia out of the civilized community, but for the cold temperatures the engine most suited for a Polar Express would arguably be this one here:

the large but light (18 t metric axleload) P36, the last of new steam built in Russia up to 1960, there is still an element of the then new Sputnik in its styling!
Steam fans are the same species all over everywhere: they only want to see their engine running, and here with a set of new express coaches
SARA - 05003

 

[Deepgreen]

As with seemingly all other main line steam, I imagine the 13th, 16th and 17th December runs will be cancelled owing to the RMT strikes.

 

[Trainlog]

From what i am currently seeing from the footage on Youtube it does look rather like a good set of railtours! Definitely think Clun castle is a good loco to haul the tours too!

Though tbh its a short route i think its clever that they are making it run in the Centre of Birmingham so at least there is something to see with the city lights once it gets dark! I think Steam dreams has done something similar with their Santa steam express railtours as they used to do stuff like Kent coast ones and Surrey and Sussex but when it gets dark there is pretty much nothing to see. However, in the past 2 years as they have done SW London circulars, there is still plenty to see with the Christmas lights and the night life of London which does make it better value for money.

 

[12LDA28C]

From what i am currently seeing from the footage on Youtube it does look rather like a good set of railtours! Definitely think Clun castle is a good loco to haul the tours too!

Though tbh its a short route i think its clever that they are making it run in the Centre of Birmingham so at least there is something to see with the city lights once it gets dark! I think Steam dreams has done something similar with their Santa steam express railtours as they used to do stuff like Kent coast ones and Surrey and Sussex but when it gets dark there is pretty much nothing to see. However, in the past 2 years as they have done SW London circulars, there is still plenty to see with the Christmas lights and the night life of London which does make it better value for money.

This has been running for a few years (although stopped during Covid) and the distance to Dorridge is considerably more than to the Tyseley Up&Down Goods line which was the destination last time the train ran in 2019.

I believe the booked diesel traction this year is the Class 20 due to space constraints at Moor Street, possibly also due to VT's Class 47 using more fuel than the 20, in these lean times.

 

[Trainlog]

This has been running for a few years (although stopped during Covid) and the distance to Dorridge is considerably more than to the Tyseley Up&Down Goods line which was the destination last time the train ran in 2019.

I believe the booked diesel traction this year is the Class 20 due to space constraints at Moor Street, possibly also due to VT's Class 47 using more fuel than the 20, in these lean times.

Not often you see a class 20 these days performing rail tour duties so i don't think the 47 replacement can be much of a complaint. Though as a steam enthusiast i think the Castle will still be my main draw to go up and see it!

 

[The Lad]

If 20, no heat?

 

[LowLevel]

If 20, no heat?

Stock is dual heat. The Castle puts the heat through and the pressure ventilated mk2s run their fans off the batteries.