Vintage Trains 2023

A trip to Chester in October with 7029 recently announced - https://vintagetrains.co.uk/train-rides/chester-venturer/

Coleshill Parkway seems to be their "go to" station these days. I do miss the old days when you could board at the Warwick Road platform in their depot.

 

My footage of 7029 storming past Edstone Crossing with the return leg of the "Shakespeare Express" (morning trip) earlier today.

 

7029 at Wilmcote Bank 23rd July 2023.

 

Warwick Road departures may return as a limited edition. Please remember we have been building a shed over the platform. Also Network Rail require a MOM to access the depot. And most of our new passengers like getting on elsewhere eg an “inner ring” just outside Birmingham. Interestingly, a huge number of passengers going to Minehead on our tour joined at Banbury. Times they are a changing

 

Call our office or just turn up. Walk on fares available in Tourist subject to space

 

It’s always nice to have some good news. We have been working hard with Network Rail on gauging our core routes for Castles and making improvements where we can. It’s great that the Shakespeare Line is shortly to be restriction free in both directions for both Castles and Halls. Also, we can now get through Cheltenham and shortly also both ways through Old Hill. This will ease 2024 planning and shorten some journey times allowing us to commit to new passenger group’s interested to travel with us in

 

The Shakespeare Express, 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, 6th August 2023.
Filmed at Danzey and Bentley Heath Crossing:

 

The Shakespeare Express, 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcombe, 13th August 2023.
Filmed at Widney Manor and Dorridge;

 

For anyone interested in the Kings Cross to Lincoln trip on 30th September , the train will pick up on its way up to London at the following stations: Coleshill Parkway, Nuneaton, Northampton, Watford Junction.

https://vintagetrains.co.uk/express-train-from-kings-cross-to-lincoln/

7029 will have a diesel pilot to the London area.

 

I'm assuming this diesel pilot is running round the train somewhere (probably Hornsey) for it to then haul the train into the cross with the castle at the rear?

 

Correct. The diesel pilot will run round in the London area.

 

Do you know if the diesel will remain attached to the rear of the train for the run to Lincoln and back? I am assuming it will.
Nick M.

 

The Shakespeare Express, 7029 Clun Castle, 20th August 2023.
Filmed at Shrewley, Wilmcote and Stratford - upon - Avon Parkway.

 

Had an enjoyable return trip behind Clun Castle to Birmingham.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@N07/albums/72177720310613626

 

Did the Stratford-Birmingham return for £10 offer today, mainly to tick off 7029. The train had a decent loading in tourist class, Mk2 TSO coaches E & F (BSO 'Z' staff only), but not completely full. 3 of us travelled and I gave a £10 donation when booking, so in effect VT had a fourth booking - a complete table. Great deal to attract people, doubt the others would have gone on it at £35pp.

£1.50 for a cup of tea or standard coffee is a lot cheaper than most heritage railways, another 50p each and I don't think many would complain.

Car parking at Stratford-upon-Avon station itself for anything over 3 hours is only £3.40 on a Sunday.

Then drove up to Stratford Parkway to video the following..

 

That's a bit naughty in my view. Good that they've advertised a new date in advance, but saying you won't get a refund if you can't make it is a bit out of order.

 

Very naughty IMO. No guarantee that just because a person is able to travel one weekend, they’ll be able to travel a week later.