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Birmingham Railway Museum Trust has acquired the site of former Stratford steam engine shed. The Birmingham Railway Museum Trust (BRMT), was pleased to announce the acquisition of a site adjacent to Stratford-on-Avon Station. The intention is to create a servicing centre and possible museum. A modest ceremony was held on Saturday 30th October 2004 to mark the announcement, which was lead by Councillor Michael Crutchley (Mayor of Stratford upon Avon), Councillor Clive Thomas (past Mayor of Stratford), Mrs Judy Thomas, and Vic Michel (Chairman TLW and Deputy Chairman Birmingham Railway Museum Trust). The photograph above depicts the event and shows a sign for the site, which has been erected at the fence to the station car park. A second sign is to be erected as a 'running-in board' clearly visible to rail passengers. Acquisition of the land was the culmination of six years of complex negotiations with Stratford District Council and Rail Property Ltd by Richard Thorne & Richard Abbey. But that was only the beginning....a priority is to develop a detailed plan for the site, defining the buildings required (museum, restaurant, shop, etc.), track layout and turntable position. The planning application for the site has always envisaged the erection of a building, together with sidings, a water tank, pits, turntable and public viewing areas. However a variation will be needed to describe the site as a museum, which can be incorporated in the final design approval submission. Vintage Trains has been running the "Shakespeare Express" between Birmingham Snow Hill and Stratford each Sunday through the summer and early autumn every year since 1999 using former Great Western Railway steam locos. The success of the service continues to grow such that the Trust has recently added Pullman coaches to the trains to cope with the demand for dining facilities. The schedule of two return trips each Sunday, currently involves tender-first running in the Birmingham to Stratford direction. Acquisition of this land, formerly the location of Stratford locomotive shed, will enable facilities to be provided to allow chimney-first running in both directions. These facilities will also be available to other operators of special trains choosing Stratford as their destination and will encourage an increased numbers of visitors to the town. Now please see details of formal launch of the plans ....more>> Volunteers : Whilst planning & funding arrangements are being pursued, a site working party has been formed from volunteer members of Vintage Trains Society - the volunteer group that supports BRMT activities such as the operation of the Shakespeare Express. The working party will initially focus on site clearance and preparation. If you wish to become involved in this exciting project, then please contact volunteer liaison by clicking this link It is a requirement that all vounteers must be members of Vintage Trains Society. For details>> |
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