Home»All Photographs»Mainline Railtours»Polar Express»2022_12_10

My visit to the Birmingham area was my first ever to watch and photograph “The Polar Express”. I regard this operation, which is promoted by Vintage Trains, as a product of the Covid 19 era. It might have started before the pandemic began in the UK but it blossomed at the time when so very few trains were possible on both the main and heritage lines. The format is essentially simple; numerous trains travelling over quite short distances bringing the Christmas experience to young and ‘not so’ young alike. Half the trains run after dark! The operational format is also very good. Trains are arranged top and tail with a diesel locomotive hauling the outward journey from either Snow Hill or Moor Street and a steam locomotive, facing in the right direction, working the train back to town. This formula satisfies everyone and avoids completely the lame excuses offered by several Heritage lines regarding tender first running.