Shakespeare Express 2013 Season

There was no diesel with 5043 yesterday.

 

And none today, going very easily this morning, coulden't even hear the familiar Castle beat, but then again the TF schedule down the North Warwick doesn't really call for too much regulator.

 

5043 1T50 & 1T51 Changing Ends at Stratford-Upon-Avon & Birmingham Snow Hill:

 

Last run of today, a quick shut off on station approach resulting in a fair amount of clag which seem to delight the younger ones in the audience

 

Good speed and sound through Lapworth

 

Have to say, how Vintage Trains turn out their loco's (and stock) is always first class. It shows immense pride for their fleet. 5043 especially always looks like brand new, and from speaking to quite a few 'non-enthusiasts' this does go a long way to making them potential customers

 

From my early trainspotting days BR Western Region their locos always seemed to be turned out well.....but yes....hats off to VT for their efforts..

 

Hats off to the Wednesday crew at Tyseley (no I'm not one of them). Five retired guys who turn up every week to polish, and I do mean polish, no oily rags allowed on the paint work and clean the locos. Two of the guys travel from Banbury every week. So if you live in the West Midlands and you have a few hours to spare each week get your self down to Tyseley, I'm sure that they'll find something for you to do, and not 'just' as a cleaner. During my time there I did work on the Steam Crane, spent a fair bit of time on the overhaul of the Peckett and helped with the final stages of 5043's return to the mainline, I also did a little bit on the re-streamlining of Hamilton among other things. Add to that you'll be working alongside some of the best young loco engineers in the country.

 

More updates added to my collection. Weeks 7 and 8

 

Beautiful

 

fabbo....passengers on platform hardly noticed it!

 

I've seen passengers barely bat a eyelid at times !!

 

4965 1T53 at Olton:

 

My footage from yesterday's run with a very 'Rood' Hall (...ahem), seen at Henley-In-Arden, Wootton Wawen, Wilmcote and Lapworth.

 

Probably used to it if they are regular travelers, 4965 is part of the furniture on a summer Sunday now.

 

What is really sad watching these videos is the state of the infrastructure, particularly the stations. Tracks removed, derelict crumbling platforms, station buildings reduced to one building with horrible stubby plastic canopies, even those nasty glorified bus shelter affairs, overgrown trackbeds & lineside vegetation. Henley-in-Arden with it's boarded up doors & windows.
A far cry from as I remember things & looking at old photos of the same places.

 

Blame the Midland Region for that, the relief lines between Tyseley and Lapworth would of been useful today with LM stoppers getting under the feet of Chiltern & Cross Country, before you add numerous freight workings to the like of Southampton into the mix, Tyseley is getting particularly bad for vegetation now, to the extent that shots looking north are basically not worth it now.

 

4965 1T53 at Olton 01/09: