Vintage Trains 2024

Probably one of the better days I’ve had this year with the weather being spot on to the season, autumn scenes hit differently to any other time of the year, especially in the sun too!
A very rewarding and satisfying day capturing Bahamas back at work once again on todays Shakespeare Express, captured at Wichnor Jc, Bentley Heath, Danzey Green, Wotton Wawen, Wilmcote & Wilnecote

As always a massive thank you to @JDTTRAINS for his most kind assistance and company today!

 

As far as I can deduce from RTT the Jubilee was at the back from Hatton to Stratford but at the front the rest of the time. But where did it turn at Derby? Or was it tender first on the ECS legs?

 

ECS to Derby and back from Tyseley was 47773 leading with 45596 on the rear

 

It gets late earlier after the clocks go back, the return to Derby approaching Wooton Wawen about 15 minutes after the sunset timed departure from Stratford. Unforunately the advancing cloud killed off what had been a nicely coloured sky. By the time I was back in Shropshire the rain had already started.

 

A pair of pictures from yesterday.

Coasting past the footbridge at Shrewley on the outward leg.


The lunchtime trip to Birmingham at Tanworth-in-Arden.

 

A great day with the immaculate Jubilee. Despite travelling I was able to get off a couple shots. Shots featured an arrival at Burton with some closeups at Stratford, which was followed by the Jube topping Wilmcote Bank on its first run back to Birmingham. All shots were handheld, so there is some slight camera movement. The outbound leg was great with some brisk high speed running. The return leg was more about gradients. Wilmcote was topped at 20mph, a quick glance out the window showed nothing from the diesel. At Wood End we had a minimum of 31 on the long climb from Edstone Aqueduct to the Lakes, which was passed at 33mph. It was a rather cautious run over the North Warwick Line, as back in 2019 with 45699 we had a minimum of 43 at the Lakes on load 11. On the return, 70mph was our max which was attained just before Wynchor Junction. I hope you enjoy the video.

 

My video from yesterday

 

I noticed some possible timings for the Blackpool Illuminations Express.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U34543/2024-11-16/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U34546/2024-11-16/detailed

These are a bit earlier; and quite a bit later than the estimates of 09:00 and 22:10 for New Street.

 

On the return it's booked on the fast all the way from Stafford to Nuneaton, will be interesting if that happens.

 

Ouch, that arrival time at New Street.

 

A very poor arrival time back in to New St. Only 3 departures out of the station after the train arrives to Shrewsbury/Wolves/Four Oaks. Not great if you live anywhere down the Worcester/Gloucester way. Theres huge different in terms of connecting trains compared to 22:10, and driving in to the city is not easy at all with the charges, etc. Seems like a rough end of the bargain for those who’d booked on that 2210 time.

 

Maybe shell out for the 2049 Crewe to New St arrive 2148. Not ideal.

 

You're a braver man than me if you're going to risk a +9 off a railtour on to the last Salop service! Driving to Coleshill or Nuneaton is probably the only real option, plus as it's diesel hauled been Birmingham and Nuneaton in both directions, you're not missing out on any steam mileage.

At least you have plenty of time to see Blackpool and the lights!

 

Tell me about it!!

 

It does also sort of highlight the difference between this and London tours. Whilst the arrival would not be great for London there would still be a great raft of places you could still easily get back to on a Saturday night. I am surprised that for somewhere as large as BHX it all wraps up so early.

 

It spends almost a third of that time sitting in the platform at Blackpool - 54 minutes after arrival, 53 minutes before departure.

 

For comparison - this is the return timings for the UKR tour tomorrow, which admittedly is diesel hauled - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U32644/2024-11-09/detailed
A week before the VT tour.

Leaves Blackpool North 13 minutes before the VT tour and gets back to Euston at exactly the same time as VT get to Birmingham (2326)

 

It's electric hauled by Les Ross