Shakespeare Express 2016 - 17th July > 4th September

Sundays from 17th July to 4th September. We are looking forward to our Eighteenth consecutive season of operating the Shakespeare Express.

We continue to offer the £12.50 deal in Standard Class (pre-booked) from Stratford>Birmingham>Stratford. Alternatively we can offer you Breakfast, Sunday Lunch or Afternoon Tea depending on the train and time of day.

There are engineering works on the first weekend of operation resulting in the train using the North Warwick line in both directions. Further works preclude us from operating at all on 14th August, so we are offering a Welsh Marches circular on Saturday 13th August with 5043 'Earl of Mount Edgcumbe'.

2016 locos will be primarily 4965 'Rood Ashton Hall' with 5043 deputising on a couple of Sundays.

For more details visit www.ShakespeareExpress.com

 

That £12.50 fare has to be the bargain of the main line year.

 

I can heartily recommend the Sunday lunch from Stratford. I did that with a group of friends last summer and it made a splendid afternoon out.

 

Great to see steam both ways over the North Warwick Line on the opener ! It's a shame both return routes can't be switched every few weeks as I find the NWL a touch more scenic & hillier !

 

No times for the return over the NWL, but the timings for the bus replacements on the Chiltern line are on so RTT, so that pretty much confirms the NWL return.

 

We have confirmed times to run the normal route, so the return sprints through Solihull & Dorridge.

It is my understanding the block is Anyho Jctn > Banbury > Leamington as they are working on the signaling and track layout at Banbury.

 

We are using 4965 'Rood Ashton Hall' this week for the first Shakespeare. 5043 will do several turns throughout the season.

I will keep you updated!

 

I'm looking forward to travelling tomorrow, I'll book again if I know when 5043 is working, many thanks!

 

Thanks for confirming.

 

Confirmed late this afternoon. The Spokeshave Express will run out and back via North Warks tomorrow. Main line blocked for engineering works.
See you all tomorrow.

 

Two pictures of today's 2nd run, both taken at Blunts Green in lovely sunshine. First time I've seen it return up the north warwickshire line.

 

Might do this if I can get a Sunday off. £12.50 from Stratford is a true bargin.

 

My footage of Rood Ashton Hall tackling 1 in 150 climb to Wood End. Hope you enjoy.

 

Nice to see a GWR loco on the main line again.

 

The long wait for something Great Western on the mainline was more than worth the wait, with a fine display on the long climb over the NWL. The Hall class is captured at Moor St, Yardley, Henley In Arden, Wootton Wawen & finally at Danzey Station sounding very well. Be nice to see the Castle return over the NWL on another occasion ! A great start to season !

 

Hi Ben. Do you know the dates when 5043 will be working? Thanks

 

The last trip usually sees 5043 take charge.