Tyseley: Feeling Festive On The Polar Express...

The festive season on heritage railways is filled with "Santa Special"s of varying descriptions, promoting Christmas cheer through the medium of a specially decorated steam train. This year, Tyseley have branched into the musical world of the 'Polar Express', which plays out a pretty much theatrical version of the popular Christmas film of the same name. Operated by the new Vintage Trains TOC, the 'Polar Express' is operating out of Birmingham Moor Street every Thursday through Sunday until December 23rd. Many tickets have sold and most trains are sold out but there is still some limited availability if you want to try something different. Today I had planned to go to the former 84E and help with preparations of this afternoons 'Polar' trains, but was then asked to nip over to Shackerstone on my way to collect some parts. After a dreary drive through the filthy, mud swept Fen Lanes, I arrived at Shackerstone for around 08:30. Visiting for the Santa season this year is South Devon-based 64xx No6412, which is seen simmering outside the shed...

She's a nice old thing 6412: we saw her at Buckfastleigh the other year. Parts collected, it was back into the car with the heater on full blast as I navigated the M42 and A45 on route to Tyseley. Wandering down through the engine shed I found 4965 simmering quietly on the prep road. The rain was still falling in an annoyingly persistent drizzle as the engine awaited her many expectant passengers...

The lads had just finished oiling the boxes and the Stephenson's motion. With most prep tasks complete we decided to wipe down the wheels and frames as they were still protected from the falling rain. A nice touch was the replacement nameplate for 4965, who for the festive season is wearing the name "Polar Star"...

As 13:00 neared, 4965 hissed into life and expelled reams of condensate from her steam circuit as she summoned her strength to move off shed...

The pleasure of seeing Tyseley operating steam on the main line again is quite something in itself, let alone the pleasure of seeing 4965 "Polar Star" (usually "RAH") out and about again after a couple of years spent out of gauge. After exiting her shed road and being summoned back via the ground discs, 4965 is seen waiting at the head of the train as our ECS departure time of 14:09 approached...

Operationally, the 'Polar' is made up of the SRPS BR Mk1 coaches with the 84E-based Class 47 working in top and tail mode with 4965. All departures are from the bustling bay platforms of Moor Street station, right over the road from Selfridges in Birmingham's city centre. The ECS run involved a trundle along the Goods Line to reach Moor Street via Small Heath. As we left the yard behind, the sound of 4965 getting stuck into the climb as the weight of the train hung on the drawbar was fantastic. I wish we could just nip to Worcester and back or something to stretch her legs! Once we'd arrived at Moor Street it was time to set back into the sidings...

Once the passengers were gathered on the platform, "Polar Star" duly appeared in a cloud of steam hauling her festively decorated coaches. My words and pictures of today do by no means attempt to convey the level of service and entertainment on offer on the 'Polar Express'. As staff we didn't get to see the majority of the performance but the bits we did see were very enjoyable and well executed. The amount of effort that has gone into putting on this fantastic program of on-train shows really does shine through and it's a massive credit to everyone involved, from the Tyseley team to the production and cast. Please do support them and enjoy your ride with "Polar Star"! Once back at Tyseley, those of us not needed to continue the performance left the train and returned to the shed whilst 4965 prepared to steam back to Moor Street...

An extra treat for passengers on todays workings was the addition of the wonderful Jubilee "Bahamas" barking up and down on the Tyseley demo line. The Jub is being run in gently after her thorough overhaul to main line standards and she looks amazing; a credit to the group who look after her. Here, the Jub creeps up on 4965 as both steam towards Birmingham in the fading Winter light...

I left Tyseley at around 16:30 after a very enjoyable day viewing the workings of the 'Polar Express'. As I say, please just give it a try. The team have worked so hard to make this happen and you'll also be supporting steam on the main line. What better way to start your Christmas festivities? Until next time, Sam...
Please note that any descriptions or opinions given on this blog are entirely my own and do not in any way reflect the descriptions or opinions of the company in any way, shape or form. I speak only as a willing and enthusiastic volunteer of the group