Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions about travelling with Vintage Trains. If you cannot find what you are looking for here, contact the team directly at bookings@vintagetrains.co.uk or call 0121 708 4960 (10am to 2pm, Monday to Friday).

Booking Tickets

How do I book a ticket?

Tickets for all Vintage Trains journeys can be booked online through the Vintage Trains website. For group bookings and private charter enquiries, contact the team directly at bookings@vintagetrains.co.uk or call 0121 708 4960 (10am to 2pm, Monday to Friday).

Yes. Transfers and cancellations are subject to our standard booking terms and conditions. Please note that cancellations or transfers made within 31 days of travel may be subject to charges. Full details are in our booking terms and conditions.

Guaranteed tables for two are available at a supplement on selected services in Pullman Dining and First Class, subject to availability. Passengers who book a table for two may on occasion be seated at a table of four, but will always be seated as a pair with no other passengers at their table.

Yes. A 6% booking fee is applied at checkout on all tickets.

On the day

What time should I arrive at the station?

Please allow plenty of time to reach the platform before your booked departure time. Our train will not wait beyond the scheduled departure time under any circumstances.

Free car parking should be available at Tyseley Locomotive Works for trains starting from Tyseley mainline station. For other departure stations, parking may usually be obtained at the respective Network Rail station, but this may be subject to local arrangements, restrictions, and additional charges. Please ensure you allow enough time to park your car, as our train will not wait beyond the booked departure time under any circumstances.

Timings for the Shakespeare Express are published on the Vintage Trains website. Occasionally these may vary slightly due to engineering works, in which case passengers will be notified a day or so before travel. For all other journeys, timings are approximate until confirmed by Network Rail. We aim to advise all passengers of confirmed times by email within two days of travel.

ON BOARD

Is there food and drink available on board?

All Vintage Trains journeys include buffet car access for Standard passengers, with hot drinks, soft drinks, light refreshments, and alcoholic drinks available for purchase. On selected journeys, bacon rolls and afternoon tea in a box can be pre-ordered. Pullman Dining and First Class tickets include meals served at your seat. Full details of what is available on each journey are listed on the individual journey pages.

Pets are not permitted on Vintage Trains services. Assistance dogs are welcome, but must be noted in the comments section at the time of booking.

Yes. All Vintage Trains journeys include a buffet car for Standard passengers.

Accessibility

Are your trains accessible for wheelchair users and passengers with restricted mobility?

All our trains carry limited wheelchair facilities but do not have disabled toilet facilities. Passengers travelling in a wheelchair or with restricted mobility are asked to contact the booking office before purchasing tickets, so the team can ensure ease of accessibility and that sufficient seating space is arranged prior to arrival. Please be aware that some Network Rail stations on our routes are unsuitable for passengers with restricted mobility. Tyseley mainline station in particular has no lifts to the platforms, only steep stairs.

Generally speaking, mobility scooters are not permitted on our trains due to limited storage space. Please contact the team before booking if you have any questions about this.

The Trains

What locomotives haul Vintage Trains services?

Vintage Trains operates a fleet of restored steam and diesel locomotives, all maintained at Tyseley Locomotive Works in Birmingham. Details of each locomotive in the fleet are on the About Our Locomotives page.

Vintage Trains is based at Tyseley Locomotive Works, 670 Warwick Road, Tyseley, Birmingham, B11 2HL. Passenger departures take place from a range of stations depending on the journey. Full departure details are listed on each individual journey page.

Yes. Vintage Trains is a registered charity (no. 1040904). Revenue from journeys supports the preservation and operation of the locomotive fleet.

Private and Group Bookings

Can I hire a private train for an event or group?

Yes. Vintage Trains offers fully private charters for corporate events, away days, client entertainment, celebrations, and group travel. Full details are on the Private and Group Bookings page.

A minimum of three months’ notice is required for a fully bespoke private charter. For group reservations on scheduled excursions, contact the team as early as possible as availability is limited.

Still have a question?

If your question is not answered here, get in touch with the team directly.

Featured Rides

17 hours 29 minutes
SOLD OUT The Cathedrals Express to Edinburgh

Saturday 14th November Destination: EdinburghDeparting from: Coleshill Parkway, Tamworth, Burton-on-Trent, Derby, Chesterfield, York, DarlingtonClasses of Travel: Pullman, First Class & Standard (Non-Dining) The Cathedrals Express heads north to Edinburgh this November, Vintage Trains’ first journey to Scotland in 14 years. The train runs diesel-hauled from the Midlands to Darlington, where steam locomotive 60163 Tornado joins to take over for the run across the border and into Edinburgh. What’s included in every ticket: A journey from the Midlands to Edinburgh and back in a single day, diesel-hauled to Darlington and steam-hauled onward behind Tornado Around two hours in Edinburgh, with the Castle, the Old Town, and the Christmas Market, which opens on the day you travel, all within easy reach Comfortable seating with picture windows and a buffet car on board, with bacon rolls and afternoon tea available to pre-order First Class starts includes a light breakfast and afternoon tea served at your seat in our authentic 1960s coaches, while Pullman Dining starts with a full English breakfast on the way out, and wraps up with a four-course evening dinner, served in one of our original Pullman Cars. Confirmed JOURNEY TIMINGS Station Outward Return Coleshill Parkway 6:31 23:32 Tamworth 6:50 23:16 Burton-on-Trent 7:03 23:05 Derby 7:18 22:54 Chesterfield 7:45 22:32 York 8:53 21:12 Darlington 9:53 20:06 Edinburgh 13:53 16:33
from $89.00

The Christmas White Rose to York Wednesday 2nd December Destination: YorkDeparting from: Birmingham New Street, Coleshill Parkway, Tamworth, Burton-on-Trent, DerbyClasses of Travel: Pullman, First Class & Standard (Non-Dining) Join us for a festive steam-hauled train journey behind one of our Castle Class locomotives, travelling through the East Midlands to the historic city of York. Visit the medieval city’s award-winning Christmas Markets, explore the narrow, cobbled streets or marvel at the wonderful Minster, a beautiful Gothic Cathedral in the heart of the city.
from $129.00
Just Announced

WESTERN TRIBUTE Date: 27 February 2027 Departure Stations: Birmingham New Street, Barnt Green, Cheltenham Spa   Western Tribute is a heritage diesel-hauled journey on Saturday 27 February 2027, marking 50 years since British Rail said goodbye to the Class 52 Westerns. D1015 Western Champion retraces as much of the original 1977 tour as can be fitted into a single day, running from Birmingham via the Lickey Incline and Severn Tunnel Junction to Cardiff, on to Exeter, and back by way of Westbury and Didcot. It is a long day on the main line behind one of the most distinctive diesel locomotives ever built for Britain's railways, and one that the Westerns' many admirers have been waiting for.   Tickets start from £129 per person (incl. fees).   What's included in every ticket: A day on the mainline behind D1015 Western Champion, a Class 52 'Western' built at Swindon in 1963 A route that recreates as much of both days of the original 1977 tour as possible, from Birmingham to Cardiff and on to Exeter, returning via Westbury and Didcot The climb of the Lickey Incline on the approach to Birmingham to finish the day Comfortable seating with picture windows, a buffet car and fully stocked bar on board   First Class tickets start from £179 per person for non-dining or £244 per person for dining, travelling in our authentic 1960s coaches. Pullman Dining tickets start from £359 per person, travelling in one of our original Pullman Cars with at-seat service.   All prices include a booking fee of up to £3.35 per item.
from $129.00
Just Announced

THE 1X83 Date: 6 March 2027 Departure Stations: Banbury, Warwick Parkway, Widney Manor, Birmingham New Street   The 1X83 is a steam-hauled journey on Saturday 6 March 2027, recreating a special train that ran in 1967 to mark the end of through services from London Paddington to Birkenhead via the old Birmingham Snow Hill station. The original was hauled from Banbury to Chester by 7029 Clun Castle, and for the 60th anniversary Clun Castle takes the same train north again through the Midlands to the city of Chester, with time to enjoy it before the return south.   Tickets start from £129 per person (incl fees).   What's included in every ticket:   A steam-hauled journey north from Banbury through the Midlands to Chester behind 7029 Clun Castle, the locomotive that hauled the original 1967 special Time in Chester, with plenty to see and do before the return south Comfortable seating with picture windows, buffet car and fully stocked bar on board   First Class tickets start from £244 per person, travelling in our authentic 1960s coaches. Pullman Dining tickets start from £359 per person, travelling in one of our original Pullman Cars with dining served at your seat.   All prices include a booking fee of up to £3.35 per item.
from $129.00