Our first members tour of 2024 will be to the West Midland Trains Soho Depot in Birmingham which will take place on the 10th February. This visit is limited to 20 places. Tickets will go on sale at on the 10th January 2024 at 8pm in the members shop. Tickets will be £20 each, with all profits being split between the Birmingham Children's Hospital and the Railway Benefits Fund charities .
The tour start at the depot entrance gate promptly at 10:00 with a Safety Briefing from the Lead Guide and the Depot Manager. Members should arrive 10 minutes beforehand. Car parking is available but is limited. Minimum age is 12 and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult who agrees to take full responsibility for the young person. The tour is expected to take no longer than 3 hours.
You will have an opportunity to get up close to the depots class 323's and the new class 730's as well as the chance to meet the depot mascot Hunslet the Bear.
All visitors must wear the following equipment for safety: Boots / Sturdy footwear. Safety Glasses, Orange Hi Vis Vest and Bump Cap. Both West Midland Trains and Rail Riders will be unable to provide this equipment. If you arrive and don't have the equipment listed then unfortunately you will be refused entry to the site.
The aim is to see as much of the depot as possible, however West Midland Trains cannot guarantee access to any particular area or item of rolling stock during the tour.
Photography is allowed for the most part and the Safety Briefing at the start will identify any rolling stock or areas where photography is not allowed. All photographs and video taken during the event must be for your own personal use ONLY and cannot be published in any media, printed or online.
This tour will be for members only, so why not sign up for a membership today and gain all the benefits of being a member including the chance to take part on our members tours of railways and depots and other special things the ordinary enthusiast cannot do. Visit our website Rail Riders to sign up for your very own membership