Forget the rush to spend billions on HS2 to speed journeys up.

Vintage Trains is going full steam ahead after winning the right to operate train services all over the country.

Becoming a fully-fledged Train Operating Company (TOC) means the Shakespeare Express operator can join big boys Chiltern Railways , West Midlands Railway , Virgin Trains and Great Western Railway on the UK mainline rail network run by Network Rail

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has awarded Vintage Trains Limited a passenger operating licence, enabling the company to run a passenger service of express steam trains with Pullman dining on the UK rail network, offering both young and old the opportunity to ride behind an express steam locomotive.

Full steam ahead for Vintage Trains
Full steam ahead for Vintage Trains

The new TOC status - the first for publicly owned and charitably controlled service - will help Vintage Trains to develop its Tyseley base into a heritage centre of steam train excellence for both running and preserving locomotives.

Vintage Trains, which also operates heritage diesel trains, has also extended the first opportunity in a 100 years to buy shares in a new public main line railway company.

The initial share offer ended on May 31, but after raising more than the minimum target of £800,000, the Shakespeare Express operator has extended the offer until December 31, 2018 in a bid to reach the ‘real target’ of £3 million.

Cath Bellamy, managing director of Vintage Trains Limited and Michael Whitehouse, chairman of Vintage Trains Community Benefit Society, welcomed guests to Tyseley to celebrate the TOC award.

Earl of Mount Edgcumbe
Earl of Mount Edgcumbe

Mr Whitehouse said on the Vintage Trains website: “With extra capital we shall offer the pubic more comfortable, fast, restaurant express trains to interesting places – to the seaside, through the superb scenery of the Welsh Marches, to the Cotswolds, gliding past under a pennant of steam, whilst our patrons enjoy a delicious breakfast or a traditional Sunday lunch.

“We can take you to York, or to Oxford, to North Wales or West Wales, so that whilst enjoying a Champagne dinner on the return trip, you will luxuriate in the splendid scenery that only a train can give you the chance to appreciate.”

Steam train Earl of Mount Edgcumbe
Steam train Earl of Mount Edgcumbe

What is Vintage Trains?

The Vintage Trains Charitable Trust operates out of the original 100-year-old Great Western Railway depot at Tyseley and preserves important express steam locomotives, Pullman cars and other items.

It also manages the Tyseley Collection of heritage locomotives, carriages and workshop machinery at the Tyseley Locomotive Works on behalf of 7029 Clun Castle Limited (also a registered charity).

It is forecasting a service of 58 charter trains in 2019 rising to 82 in 2020.

The interior of one of the vintage carriages
The interior of one of the vintage carriages

How to celebrate 50 years of history

Tyseley Depot opened its doors to the public for the first time on September 29, 1968 with a display of steam locomotives and traction engines.

The milestone 50th anniversary will be celebrated during another open weekend to be held on September 29 and 30.

In 1968 the first steam locomotive preserved at Tyseley 7029 Clun Castle was in operation and this locomotive will again be a star attraction at the anniversary event.

The Jubilee Class locomotive ‘Bahamas’ will make its first public appearance in steam at the open weekend following overhaul and there will be train rides on four gauges – standard gauge, 15” gauge, 10 ¼ gauge, 7 ¼” gauge.

Fire down below - the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe burner
Fire down below - the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe burner

How much are anniversary tickets?

Admission is £15 advance for adults or £17 on the day or £4 (£5) for children aged five to 15.

Family tickets are £30 (£35).

Drivers and passengers of pre-68 vehicles are £10 in advance, bookable in advance only.

Parking is limited to pre-booked disabled badge holders or drivers and passengers with pre-1968 vehicles which must also be pregistered.

Driver Raymond Churchill in the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe
Driver Raymond Churchill in the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe

Other visitors are advised to park at a West Midlands Railway or Chiltern Trains station and travel to Tyseley station by public service trains.

Tickets can be booked online via the Vintage Trains website or via telephone on 0333 666 3366 (telephone bookings are subject to a £1.75 booking fee).

Vintage trains is based at 670 Warwick Road, Tyseley, Birmingham B11 2HL, telephone 0121 708 4960.

For more information visit the website here or follow on Twitter @Vintage_Trains or on Facebook via Vintage Trains