First steam train in 40 years arrives at former Birch Coppice colliery

19 November 2007

The branch line from Kingsbury junction to the former Birch Coppice colliery site at Dordon, North Warwickshire which closed in 1986 has seen its first steam hauled train in over 40 years when it was used recently for a visit by railway enthusiasts.

Around 250 rail buffs paid for the pleasure of travelling on the privately funded railway which was reinstated 16 years after the coal mine closed by IM Properties. The Warwick based developer has transformed the derelict mine site into a £multi million business park and container freight terminal creating new workspace for over 1,000 employees - more than was originally employed at the colliery.

The steam train excursion organised by Vintage Trains which operates out of the Birmingham Railway Museum at Tyseley is also responsible for the popular steam hauled Shakespeare Express which runs from Birmingham to Stratford upon Avon in the summer months and excursions to tourist resorts such as York and Chester.

Devotees of rural and industrial branch lines were transported to Birch Coppice in original Great Western Railway (GWR) carriages with the motive power provided by a 1940's vintage Hawksworth Pannier engine, No. 9466 resplendent in the dark green livery of the GWR.

The main function of the rail line is to transport container traffic from Southampton and Thames port docks to Birmingham Intermodal Freight Terminal (BIFT) which opened at Birch Coppice last year. Since 2002 freight trains have used the branch line delivering automotive components from Germany via the Channel Tunnel.

Environmental benefits and the reduction in road congestion are seen in the fact that one container train carries the equivalent of 55 road transport heavy goods vehicles.