Where do I board the train?

You can join at Birmingham Snow Hill, Birmingham Moor Street or Tyseley; exact departure time is confirmed 48 hours before travel.

What is included in the First Class option?

First Class includes reserved seating in a 1960s First Class carriage and a 3-course evening dinner served at your seat; tea and coffee are provided.

Can I bring children?

Children under 16 must be accompanied by a fare-paying adult; children aged 3 and under may travel free if not occupying a seat in Standard only.

Is the Flying Scotsman guaranteed to operate?

The operator aims to run the advertised locomotive but reserves the right to substitute locomotives or alter services for operational reasons, including using diesel assistance.

Are there accessibility facilities onboard?

Wheelchair access is limited and Pullman/First Class coaches may not accommodate passengers confined to wheelchairs; accessible toilets are not available on all trains—contact the booking office for assistance.

Can I request special dietary requirements?

Yes—inform the operator of dietary requests at booking so the catering team can accommodate needs where possible.

Valentine’s Steam Dinner Aboard the Flying Scotsman from Birmingham | Train | Sightseeing Tour

The Valentines Shakespeare Express – 3-Course Dinner runs out of Birmingham, England, offering a three-hour, mainline steam experience that turns a winter evening into a moving stage set. Guests join at Birmingham Snow Hill, Birmingham Moor Street or Tyseley to board original 1960s carriages and ride behind the legendary steam locomotive 'Flying Scotsman.' The journey blends period detail, clack-and-rumble rhythm, and a three-course dinner served at your seat — tea and coffee included — making it an unusually cinematic way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

The scene is simple and strong: brass fittings, varnished wood, the hiss of steam and the black silhouette of a classic engine cutting through low Midlands light. Key features are the locomotive itself, the restored First Class and Standard Mk2 carriages, and the mainline route that threads through suburban cuttings, brick viaducts and open farmland. Photographers will find rich contrasts — steam against winter sky, glowing carriage interiors and platform portraits at departure. The experience is as much about railway heritage as it is about a shared meal.

Options suit different tastes: First Class offers a reserved seat in an original 1960s First Class carriage with a 3-course evening dinner (Table for 2 | £318.00; First Class Seat | £148.40). Standard seating is available in a Mk2 carriage (Standard Class Seat | £83.74) with light refreshments from the on-train buffet. Passengers are asked to arrive at least 20 minutes before the confirmed departure; listed departures depart mid-evening from the three Birmingham stations and return roughly three hours later. Final times are confirmed 48 hours before travel.

Practical notes matter: dietary requests should be provided at booking; children under 16 must travel with an adult; assistance and support dogs are welcome if declared. Mobility access is limited — Pullman and First Class coaches cannot accommodate passengers confined to wheelchairs, and accessible toilets are not available on all trains. The operator reserves the right to substitute locomotives, including diesel assistance, or to alter timings for operational reasons; travel insurance is recommended.

Book this trip for a memorable, tactile experience of British rail history combined with a relaxed, served dinner onboard. It’s a standout option during Valentine’s week for couples who want atmosphere without the usual restaurant crowds, railfans after authentic steam on the mainline, and visitors seeking a short, accessible evening outing from central Birmingham. Servers circulate with extra drinks for purchase, and the slow cadence of the route makes conversation easy; bring a compact camera for steam-and-platform portraits, and wear a warm layer—the carriages can be cooler than restaurants. Spaces are limited for Valentine’s departures, so book early and note the operator’s cancellation and substitution policies before you travel. Expect evocative, memorable travel moments and photographs.

About Vintage Trains

Vintage Trains is a Birmingham-based heritage rail operator that runs a programme of steam- and diesel-hauled excursions, dining trips and depot tours across the UK. Founded and based at Tyseley Depot, the company preserves historic locomotives and carriages while operating scheduled special trains such as THE POLAR EXPRESS™, The Shakespeare Express and long-distance explorers to destinations including Manchester, Newcastle and North Wales.

Operating from Tyseley Depot in Birmingham, Vintage Trains offers curated day trips, festive events and themed dining experiences designed for families, rail enthusiasts and leisure travellers. Signature journeys include the festive THE POLAR EXPRESS™ family experience, seasonal Christmas market excursions, full dining services such as three-course Sunday lunches and thematic entertainment like Murder on The Shakespeare Express and Mad Hatter’s Tea Parties.

Tyseley Depot tours provide behind-the-scenes access to a 1908 Great Western Railway locomotive depot, including the roundhouse, turntable and working locomotives with guided interpretation. Vintage Trains combines heritage conservation with public operations, maintaining restored rolling stock to operate authentic rail experiences.

Tickets, seating classes and catering options vary by trip; Tourist seats and Pullman dining are available on selected services. The operator runs both steam-hauled specials and diesel-hauled explorers and highlights regional routes such as the Welsh Highland Railway segment on the Welsh Highland Explorer. Vintage Trains focuses on delivering historically informed, family-friendly excursions and accessible depot tours from its Birmingham base.

Booking, safety and accessibility information are published for each trip, and advance reservations are recommended for popular seasonal services and dining experiences during peak travel periods.