Shakespeare Express 2010

What engine is allocated this weekend?

 

Probably the normal loco 4965

 

Yes it is 4965 again.

 

Ok thankyou! Think i'll see 4953 at the Great Central Railway. Keep up the good work with the Shakespeares!!

 

As some of you will know the North Warickshire Line is being resignalled with the new colour lights due to go live in October. There are only five Shakespeares left this season so these will be your last chance to have steam haulage under the semaphores.
http://www.tyseleylocoworks.co.uk/vt/se_gallery_semaphores.htm

 

Could it be made possible for the Shakespeare to do a run back from Stratford down the north Warks line this year? I believe it has been done in the past. I know it has already happened this season but no one knew about it in time to get any photos.

 

Any idea what will be the fate of the boxes at Shirley, Henley & Bearly ?, i fear for Henley because that rarely used even now but Bearly & Shirley may be needed depending on who's controlling the lights and sections.

 

I understand the lights will be controlled by Saltley SC. As to the fate of the boxes I haven't heard anything, but I'll ask around at work tomorrow.

 

I took a few photos in 2008 at Henley in Arden. At the time there were two Network rail guys there doing regular maintenance on the semaphores.

go to http://rickeborallphotography.fotopic.net/c1586741.html to see what they had to say at the time!

Regards...RICK

 

4965 performed faultlessly as usual and will be performing again on 15 August.
5043 is the rostered loco on 22 August.
I was also given some info concerning the fate of the boxes on the North Warks Line once the light signals go live.
Unfortunately I didn't write it down (old age is my excuse) suffice to say the frames and levers from two of the boxes are going to a preserved line and that Shirley Box is to be converted into an office.
Hopefully I will see my informant in the next seven days and I will write down what he tells me and report back in more detail.

 

Got a few shots at Danzey green, Blunt green, Shrewley etc from both runs. Pity the sun kept hiding behind the clouds at times.

http://rickeborallphotography.fotopic.net/c1881624.html

 

Excellent shots Rick. Although I hope that you didn't include the car on fire as an example of a lineside fire caused by a steam loco!!

 

To be honest I was a little worried at the time I couldn't see the driver anywhere! I hope who ever it was got away safely.
Glad you enjoyed the shots....
Rick
http://rickeborallphotography.fotopic.net/

 

With regard to the future of the boxes on the North Warickshire Line. Here is the info I've been given......Shirley and Henley lever frames to be moved to Moreton-In-Marsh and Evesham, in connection with the re-doubling of the Cotswold Line replacing the lever frames from those two places.
Bearley W.Jcn lever frame has been offered to a preservation site in Wales.
Shirley box is to be retained as an office, Henley box may also be retained for such use. Bearley W. Jcn. box maybe offered for preservation.

 

Much appreciated Kevin.

 

4965 today, Ray Churchill, Alastair Meanley & Michael Whitehouse on the footplate this morning.

 

Rood Ashton at Olton on the afternoong run: http://david1984.fotopic.net/p66579824.html

I should mention it's Fotopic's dodgy resizing that's made the headboard blurry, the original is clear as a bell, grr.

 

That could be a very good idea, Shirley is in excellent condition, and with a bit of thought could be deveoped into an excellent outlet for someone as a start up unit. If it brought in just a little money to cover maintenance, it could be cheaper than the cost of demolition and filling the hole>

Go for it Martin!