News Archive 2005

24 June 2005
From now on, details of forthcoming special trains will be provided in the new Main Line Tours page of this website. Photos from some of these tours will appear on this page afterwards.

11 June 2005
Despite last Tuesday's successful trip, today's scheduled run to Sheffield was cancelled, literally at the last minute. This was not the fault of Leander, but the newly installed TPWS (Train Protection & Warning System). The train may be re-run within the next few weeks.

7 June 2005
A video of Leander running round at Stratford on tonight's run (mpg format - 2 Meg) can be downloaded here. (Right click and select "Save Target as...")

7 June 2005
For timings of this evening's run, click here.
Additionally, Leander will be running a test run from Tyseley to Bescot and back - timings may appear on this page.
(Timings taken from www.uksteam.info)

5 June 2005
Leander's first main line outing will be a loaded test run on the evening of Tuesday 7th June from Shirley to Stratford-upon-Avon, returning to Birmingham Snow Hill via Solihull. Details can be found on the Vintage Trains Website. It will depart Shirley at 20:10, returning to Tyseley at 22:14 and Snow Hill at 22:26. There is a service train (not included in price) from Snow Hill to Shirley at 19:27. The cost will be £17.50 (£10 for kids) - turn up and pay on the day. I will publish details of timings when I know them.

Please note: this website is advisory only. I take no responsibility for the running of this train, or for any timings published.

26 May 2005
Leander is still undergoing work to bring it up to main line requirements, and will not be ready for the trip to Didcot on Saturday. The trip will instead be hauled by Black 5 number 45305.

12 April 2005
Vintage Trains have now confirmed the full itinerary for Leander for this year, as follows:-

Details	Saturday 28 May	Birmingham Snow Hill to Didcot and return
Details	Saturday 11 June	Dorridge to Sheffield and return
Details	Sunday 26 June	Dorridge to Melton Mowbray and return
Details	Sunday 26 June	Two circular tours from Melton Mowbray via Harringworth Viaduct
Details	Monday 29th August	Nuneaton to Blackpool and return
Details	Saturday 3 September	Tyseley to Holyhead and return
Details	Saturday 1 October	Crewe to Carlisle via Shap and return

9 April 2005
Leander's return to the main line has been postponed until 28 May. More details soon.

30 January 2005
Details are now available of Vintage Trains' first two trips using Leander. These are Birmingham to Didcot on 7 May and Dorridge to Sheffield on 11 June.

17 January 2005
Leander was delivered to Tyseley on 12 January for fitting of TPWS (Train Protection Warning System) plus other work needed to get it ready for mainline certification. For photographs, click here.