Shakespeare Express 2019

A couple of pictures of today's Shakespeare Express, 7029 in charge:

Bearley


Hatton North Junction

4 remaining dates this summer:
4th August - Bahamas hauled.
18th August
1st September
15th September

 

Interesting to see a slightly different view of the curve into Hatton North Junction from the opposite side of the footbridge compared with the customary/ classic view from the south side that we have all become accustomed to; makes a nice change!!

 

The view from the other side is now a little overgrown for anything coming off the Stratford Branch, particularly at this time of year.

 

You sure this is a Vintage Train working? There's something missing at the back of the train....

 

I was stood on that side too, my reasoning was that it was overcast, so more diffused light and therefore worth shooting from the more unusual side for a different shot.

A very busy weekend so pictures to follow when I get time

 

At Hatton North Junction (1st pass), near Bearley Junction (2nd Tender firstpass) and Wilmcote (last pass)

 

Today's motive power running round at Stratford.

 

Quite

 

A very pleasant journey on the first train today, good to see a couple of Nat pres members on the train!

Stratford:



Snow Hill:



Second train approaching Dorridge:

 

A couple of shots from todays runs.
First at Hatton North Junction


Second shot taken passing through Wilmcote

 

My video at Stratford in the morning

What a lovely looking loco she is, it was great to watch her for over an hour with no one getting in the way of photo shots

 

Some shots from the lineside today - Hatton North Junction, between Bearley Junction and Wilmcote, climbing from Stratford Parkway to Wilmcote

 

hello
some shots from wilmcote and tyseley at
www.flickr.com/photos/15931796@N00/with/48461216696/

 

I particularly liked the photo of 44871 crossing the canal. It brought back memories of early my teens, back in the late 1940's early 50's, when I lived locally. I spent many hours on the Stratford canal bank and at the halts south of Shirley. It was, for a youngster, thrilling to stand beneath that bridge as trains rumbled overhead. There were the fast local trains (Birmingham to Stratford upon Avon), the longer expresses and quite a few freights. This was a great time for railways as they were recovering and rebuilding after WW2 and there was still much passenger and freight traffic to be seen.

 

A few images taken yesterday 04/08/2019 on both return trips around the Lapworth area.................... http://rickeborall.zenfolio.com/p1045851764

Hope you enjoy........ Regards to all............... Rick

 

Bahamas upon Avon 4 August 2019

The double chimneyed LMS Jubilee 4-6-0 No 45596 Bahamas has paid a return visit this summer to Tyseley following the completion of its extended overhaul at the beginning of this year. This time it was to haul some trains from the Vintage Trains summer schedule, including one of its summer Sunday double runs from Birmingham Snow Hill to Stratford upon Avon.

Booked on the afternoon round trip, we arrived in time to hear and then see the immaculate and noisy locomotive charging up the 1 in 45 incline in the tunnel from Moor Street to emerge into daylight at Snow Hill. Quite quickly, Bahamas ran round and coupled up for the tender first run back out to Stratford. After collecting more passengers at Moor Street and Tyseley, we turned right onto the old main line towards Cheltenham through the Birmingham suburbs and lush Warwickshire countryside. With tender first running limited to 45 mph, this seemed to be the time to enjoy our afternoon tea box, with prosecco and coffee to wash it down.

The layover at Stratford allowed us to watch the run-round, and then observe this magnificent locomotive basking in the sunshine. On leaving with Ray Churchill at the regulator, we crept over the crossings till we were clear of the station throat. But then it felt that the regulator had been pushed to the roof and we barked away briskly towards the 1 in 75 Wilmcote bank. We hit the bottom at 38 and sped fell away only slowly to 31 mph. Turning right at Bearley towards Hatton, we ambled along with a maximum of 34 around Claverdon.

Over Hatton West and North junctions we reached the main London – Birmingham GWR/BR/Chiltern line, and finally, a chance for Ray to open the engine up on a “billiard table” high speed main line. We reached 63 in the slight dip before Lapworth (passed at 61), then Dorridge at 63, Widney Manor at 69 and 72 through Solihull. We hit a maximum of 74 before Olton but the brakes went on hard as we approached Acocks Green, to prepare for our stop at Tyseley. Then we ambled back into Birmingham in the sunshine at the end of a pleasant afternoon out with a fine locomotive.

21 photos are at https://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/p39161321

Peter on a nondescript Manchester morning
https://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

 

Stratford upon Avon, Lapworth and Widney Manor captured from yesterday's day out with the Castle.