This autumn, the beloved steam locomotive Clun Castle is scheduled to undertake a notable journey from Birmingham to the Severn Valley Railway, celebrating a significant milestone in the heritage rail community.
Clun Castle, also known as GWR 4-6-0 No. 7029, is recognised as the pioneering locomotive that initiated mainline steam preservation in Britain. Based at Tyseley Locomotive Works in Birmingham, it will power a specially chartered train called ‘The Volunteer’ from Birmingham Snow Hill to the Severn Valley Railway. This voyage marks the 75th anniversary of the heritage rail movement.
The timing of the journey coincides with the Heritage Railway Association (HRA) Autumn Conference held in Birmingham. The event is intended to reflect the early era of railway preservation, when steam charters on the mainline introduced enthusiasts to the nascent heritage railways.
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Nick Ralls, managing director of Vintage Trains, emphasised the significance of Clun Castle’s role: “Given Clun Castle’s crucial part in the beginnings of mainline steam preservation, there is no better locomotive to commemorate 75 years of the movement she helped inspire. This is a day to honour the volunteers and supporters who have sustained heritage railways across decades.”
The journey is planned for Monday, 2 November, with Clun Castle departing Birmingham Snow Hill at approximately 11:30am. The route will pass through Stratford-upon-Avon before reaching the Severn Valley Railway, where the train will proceed to Highley.
At Highley, passengers will have the opportunity to visit the Engine House museum, a centre dedicated to railway heritage. The return to Birmingham Snow Hill is expected around 7pm, subject to Network Rail confirmation of exact timings.
The special trip is made possible through a collaboration between the Heritage Railway Association, Vintage Trains, and the Severn Valley Railway. Operating on a not-for-profit basis, both the HRA and SVR have waived their fees, while Vintage Trains aims only to cover direct operational costs. This approach ensures ticket prices remain affordable, allowing as many heritage rail volunteers, past and present, to participate.
Vintage Trains is unique as the UK’s only charitably controlled train operating company. Based at Tyseley Locomotive Works, it runs steam and diesel-hauled excursions on the national mainline, with all ticket proceeds reinvested into the restoration and engineering of historic locomotives.