The scheduled departure (via UK Steam website) was 5.30pm so I spent a frustrating 5 minutes trying to find a way into the site only to hear the loco whistle and begin its departure from the Warwick Road platform within the Tyseley site.

I wasn't going to give up without a fight so there followed a hair-raising drive through rush-hour traffic to reach Coleshill Parkway station where the train was due to stop to pick up passengers. I made it with a couple of minutes to spare.

Not the best way to begin a pleasant evening for a meal with my wife on Valentines Day.