Return of the Polar Express at Birmingham Moor Street Station (22nd November to 22nd December 2019)

It's back! The Polar Express from Vintage Trains. On at weekends from the 22nd November to 22nd December 2019. I saw it at Birmingham Moor Street Station on Sunday 24th November 2019. This was the 14:40 service. I went to get the Chiltern Railways 14:55 service (as far as Solihull).

Last year's Post here Shakespeare and Polar Express.

Chiltern Railways 168002 (the train I would ride one stop to Solihull) and 45305 Alderman A. E. Draper seen at platform 3 and 4 at Birmingham Moor Street Station respectfully. The Polar Express is back for the festive season for the 2nd year. I saw families and kids arrive through an open gate (I used the ticket barrier).

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This steam locomotive is from the Great Central Railway. 45305 Alderman A. E. Draper. Built in 1936. Originally numbered 5305 for the London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMSR). After nationalisation in 1948, British Railways renumbered it as 45305. Withdrawn in 1968. Saved by Albert Drapers and Sons Ltd. Named Alderman A E Draper in 1984. From 1996 was with the Great Central Railway.

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Carriages further down platform 4.

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20 189 was at the end.

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Close up of 20 189, I last saw her at the Tyseley Locomotive Works at the open day 2 months earlier.

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Lined up the shot with the Birmingham Moor Street sign.

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Looking towards Primark. My train 168002 on the right at platform 3 (looks so small).

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Selfridges to the left.

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I got on my train sometime after 14:30 and got these close up shots of the steam locomotive. This showing the number 45305.

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First saw the nameplate Alderman A. E. Draper here.

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With all the steam, the windows on my train were steaming up. Was another 10 minutes before the Polar Express left, and I had to wait 25 minutes before my train departed.

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Red lights above the buffer in front of 45305. Way Out and Refreshment signs in the background.

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Nameplate about the dedication to the memory of Albert E. Draper. Who was the former Alderman and Mayor of the Borough of Hedon, East Yorkshire.

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Just after 14:40 as scheduled, the Polar Express slowly reversed out of Platform 3. While I waited another 15 minutes, another Chiltern Railways Class 168 train arrived from London Marylebone.

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My train later passed the Polar Express while it was a red light at Small Heath Station. Didn't take photos from the train as wasn't expected it there. Instead watch this video on Youtube Vintage Trains The Polar Express 24/11/2019. Video by TNXRail.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.