Two historic locomotives that used to run on Sutton Park Railway in Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire, have found a new home at the Tyseley Locomotive Works of Vintage Trains.

Historic locomotives Sutton Flyer and Sutton Belle, as well as a petrol railcar, Dudley, moved to Tyseley on Tuesday, 16th June, where they will join Vintage Trains’ ever-expanding fleet.

This will be the start of a new life for the much-loved miniature railway stock, which will form the basis for a new 15-inch gauge Tyseley Miniature Railway currently being constructed within the Tyseley site.

Work has already started restoring the original carriages and laying about half a mile of track to create a fully operational miniature railway, which will complement Vintage Trains’ main line and heritage activities operating from Tyseley, and will provide a new educational and community-focused railway.

With a 15-inch gauge railway, both young people and adults have the chance to gain hands-on experience in railway engineering, operations, and maintenance within a safe and accessible environment. Through the railway, participants will be able to learn practical engineering and operational skills in a welcoming social environment, have a supportive hobby that promotes wellbeing and positive mental health, and have a chance to help preserve and operate a miniature railway asset in Birmingham.

The team behind the Tyseley Miniature Railway believes that being involved in heritage railway volunteering will help to show volunteers the value of community. Volunteers and supporters are now being sought to help bring the project to life, and are especially looking for anyone with experience in engineering, operations, or restoration, or just for providing general support.

Vintage Trains, the parent company of the Tyseley Miniature Railway, runs regular rail tours throughout the country, including the Shakespeare Express between Birmingham and Stratford-on-Avon and the Polar Express Train Ride from Birmingham at Christmas. Vintage Trains is one of the organisations that provides a discount for RailAdvent Plus Gold members.