The Branch Line Society is running a special train from Birmingham to Liverpool, the Class 323 Farewell, on Sunday, 29th September as a tribute to the class that operated trains on Birmingham’s Cross City Line for 30 years.

Proceeds from the tour will be donated to two important charities: Scotty’s Little Soldiers and Brain Tumour Research.

Class 323s have operated services since 1994 on the Cross City Line between Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield, Birmingham New Street, Redditch and Bromsgrove, but have been superseded by Class 730s.

This is a farewell trip to the class when a pair of Class 323s will operate a round trip between Birmingham New Street and Liverpool Lime Street, via the recently realigned Monument Lane loop.

The tour will depart from platform 10 at Birmingham New Street at 08.22, and pick up at Barnt Green, Bromsgrove, and Stafford.

The return journey will depart from Liverpool Lime Street platform 2 at 13.04 and arrive at Birmingham New Street platform 3 at 17.39.

A photo stop will be made at Walsall on the return journey.

It is hoped that the celebrity Class 323 in ‘Centro’ livery No. 323 221 will be one of the units allocated to the tour.

During the journey, souvenirs of the trip including window decals will be on sale, and a charity raffle with some fantastic prizes will be held with proceeds going towards the charities.

Tickets cost £64.60 for adults and accompanied under 18s £32.30. There is no charge for children under five, but they may only occupy a seat which is not required by a fare-paying passenger. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Information about other Branch Line Society tours are on their website and a booking form for the Class 323 Farewell is online at https://branchline.uk