A social afternoon for all fully paid up members of The Friends of Vintage Trains was held on Saturday October 16th 2021 at the Tyseley Working Men’s Club (opposite Tyseley Locomotive Works). The Club, including the bar, was open from 1.30 with the talk beginning at 2.00. There was a break at around 2.45 for time to socialise, including the buffet and a raffle, and the talk continued at around 3.45 for an hour or so. The main prize in the raffle was a full size replica nameplate for ‘Kolhapur’.
Our guest speaker was John Perkin, who is well known in railway circles for his enlightening and enjoyable talks.
The theme for this talk was RAILS THROUGH BIRMINGHAM, a photographic journey through the City of Birmingham in the days of steam along the former Midland, London North Western & and Great Western Lines. This talk took in various historic steam sites on the way which include the Lickey Incline, Halesowen and Harborne Branch lines, New St Station, Saltley Shed, Tyseley Shed, Snow Hill and Moor Street Stations, Hockley Goods and many more, all now long gone but not forgotten.
There was plenty of time for questions and discussion during the afternoon.
A complimentary finger buffet was included and entry was free. Also, members were very welcome to bring a guest for whom there was no charge.
Free car parking was available in the Tyseley Locomotive Works car park.