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VT - Shakespeare Express 2026

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by mattspencer, Apr 26, 2026.

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  1. NathanP

    NathanP Well-Known Member

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    Commercial reasons I think. They sold tickets for the ECS working from Birmingham to Worcester for those who wanted to go to the diesel gala at Kidderminster behind a Class 37.
     
    NathanP, May 19, 2026
    #21
  2. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    nothing to do with it . its a diesel drag of the ECS out to the start point . then to turn the engine easily for the return its an easy move to reverse the train at Hatton and be drawn round from Hatton and into Stratford . Saves a lot of time rather than having to do light engines moves along with increased watering , double steam crews etc
     
    Sidmouth, May 19, 2026
    #22
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  3. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    Sorry, I meant in terms of the steam sections. I was at the Jewellery Quarter for the return and they were running comfortably early and the 37 just roared in to action. They certainly wasn't trying to save water/coal as the Castle was opened up nicely. This is just my observation from recent trips.
     
    LMarsh1987, May 19, 2026
    #23
  4. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    Quite a clever move from VT to add a shuttle for the diesel gala on their ECS run. Just a shame on the steam legs the 37 is more active than just taking its weight.
     
    LMarsh1987, May 19, 2026
    #24
  5. SplutteringStationPilot

    SplutteringStationPilot New Member

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    The section from Snow Hill to Stourbridge had a lot of speed restrictions for the Castle, which were very tight with the times, as can be seen with the morning run losing time consistently.

    The 37 shoving in between the restrictions allowed for better acceleration to ensure we had a better chance of keeping time and not causing delays.

    The evening run we ran early from Snow Hill in order to mitigate this, and even going early we only arrived 2e at Stourbridge.

    Sent from my SM-S931B using Tapatalk
     
    SplutteringStationPilot, May 20, 2026
    #25
  6. andyjhatton

    andyjhatton New Member

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    I think 7029 is on the Shakespeare Express tomorrow
     
    andyjhatton, Jun 20, 2026
    #26
  7. Will RL

    Will RL Member

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    5043 today, 47773 the assisting diesel
     
    Will RL, Jun 21, 2026
    #27
  8. andyjhatton

    andyjhatton New Member

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    Does anybody know why the Stratford -bound services have been running through Moor Street platform 2 rather than the usual (and booked) 1?
     
    andyjhatton, Jun 21, 2026
    #28
  9. mattspencer

    mattspencer Well-Known Member

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    37240 doing the honours again on the Shakespeare
     
    mattspencer, Aug 9, 2026
    #29
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  10. jsm8b

    jsm8b Part of the furniture

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    Sunshine and strong winds for 'Clun Castle' at Elford this morning.


    _26Z4718 7029 Elford 251026.jpg
     
    jsm8b, Oct 25, 2026
    #30
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  11. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    Sidmouth, Oct 25, 2026
    #31
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  12. ficksberglion

    ficksberglion New Member

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    Passing Willington on the return to Derby

    7029 Willington LR.jpg
     
    ficksberglion, Oct 26, 2026
    #32
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  13. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Very enjoyable day out on the Worcester Shakespeare Express today, ran like clockwork as per usual. Shame the SVR Mogul wasn't ready, but Clun Castle ran beautifully, including a very noisey assent of Old Hill bank.
    Was my mate's first experience of mainline steam, he was very impressed and can't wait to do another!
    20261108_161615.jpg
     
    acorb, Nov 8, 2026 at 9:36 PM
    #33
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  14. Steam Valley Productions

    Steam Valley Productions New Member

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    Couple of shots from today’s last Shakespeare of the year




    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    Steam Valley Productions, Nov 8, 2026 at 9:47 PM
    #34
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  15. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    Footage from Old Hill, Earlswood and Hall Green from today . filmed by my eldest
     
    Sidmouth, Nov 8, 2026 at 10:08 PM
    #35
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