Vintage Trains: Full steam ahead thanks to community ownership

Vintage Trains is a unique community‑owned business creating magical experiences for people of all ages. 

Running lovingly preserved steam trains from its Birmingham base, it offers a range of unforgettable trips, including the Shakespeare Express to Stratford-upon-Avon; days out to York and Scarborough; private hires and the Polar Express at Christmas. 

“We’re creating memories,” said Chair Michael Whitehouse. “Some people love trains, others just want a special experience – afternoon tea on a steam train instead of a café. Our excursions fire the imagination, and we get a lot of repeat business.” 

Rooted in decades of volunteer passion and strengthened by co‑operative structure, theirs is a unique success story demonstrating how community ownership can keep Britain’s railway heritage alive.

The organisation became a community benefit society (CBS) in 2017 with a share offer that raised £1.1 million and brought 700 members into co‑ownership. Its origins, however, stretch back much further than that.

“My father and his friends started railway preservation in 1950 and founded the concept of voluntary run railways,” Micheal explained. ”He set one up in Birmingham, collected and rescued steam trains from scrapyards – and successfully lobbied for their use on the national network.”

They created a charity to raise money – and the team bought engines, learned how to maintain them and a created a workshop, which is now one of best in country, providing services to other train operators. Later, they decided a different organisational structure would be better for business – and their community of supporters. 

Today, Vintage Trains is the only community benefit society operating trains on the UK’s mainline railway. “The only other people who operate vintage trains are billionaires and a German company.”

The  £1.1 million raised from the share offer was used to secure an operating licence and build a professional team, with Network Rail backing the model through a long‑term lease on its Birmingham depot.

Being Birmingham based also makes Vintage Trains unique. “Most heritage railways are rural. We’re right in the middle of England’s second city,” said Michael. 

“It was started by people wanting to keep something alive and now we’ve become relevant to people in the community. We buy services locally and support local businesses – and our 25 employees live within 30‑mile radius.

“We’re also setting up a scheme which trains people in railway related skills – partnering with training colleges. It’s about preserving skills and improving lives,” he added. 

Being community owned has many other benefits for everyone involved too: 

Support from Co‑operatives UK has been vital throughout. “People didn’t understand community benefit societies, especially in rail,” Michael said. Co‑operatives UK supported with registration, FCA approval, regulatory engagement and provided grant support to prepare for the share offer. 

“That guidance was really helpful at the start – and we’re working with Co‑operatives UK again now as we plan our next phase.”

As Vintage Trains prepares to open membership again and raise further investment, the ambition is clear. “We want to keep steam alive, be relevant to new generations and put smiles on people’s faces. The CBS model allows us to do that – together.”

Find out more

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