‘The Vintage Trains Story’ by Mike Corbett
RCTS – West Midlands Branch Meeting Report
20th October 2025
Mike Corbett presented ‘The Vintage Trains Story’. Mike, a former manager at BR’s Wolverton Works, has taken on a voluntary post with Vintage Trains assisting with the many changes that have occurred over recent years.
The story began in 1964 when a group of business men / entrepreneurs got together to be part of the infant steam preservation movement. History tells us that Pat Whitehouse and Tom Rolt were among the first to be part of this movement.
Mike expanded his presentation with details of how the former steam shed at Tyseley (84E / 2A) was developed having seen many changes over the last 60 years. These tasks included collecting locos, making a museum, and running main line trains.
From humble beginnings, here we are today, and Vintage Trains is one of the premier locomotive restoration sites in the country. Among recent overhauls have been Jubilee No.45596 Bahamas, and No.71000 Duke of Gloucester. We thanked Mike for a most informative presentation.