Shakespeare Express 2014

Chatting with a couple of like-minded friends today, it was suggested that VT could perhaps extend the first lay-over at Stratford for the duration of the FBU strike, so might leave Stratford at 1441 instead of 1241. The Torbay Express did something similar a few weeks ago, IIRC. Enough time, perhaps, to set up the market stall and flog some Tyseley Loco Works T-shirts and Rood Ashton Hall mugs, as well as the excellent DVD about building a Castle. ;-)

 

Sunday looks like the train 1 runs as normal but has a layover at Stratford for 3 hours. 1137 arrival. Train 2 has a depature of 1441 . Train 3 doesn't leave Snow hill until 1704.

Train 4 leaves Stratford at 1818. Much later than normal.

Id say that's the FBU strike taking affect.

 

Update for Sunday 10th August.

Train A will run as normal - Departing Snow Hill at 10:23 and arriving SuA at 11:37.

We will then sit out the FBU strike in Startford P2 with 4965 "Rood Ashton Hall" available for photos, etc.

The rest of the trains will be pushed back exactly 2 hours. ie Train B will depart at 14:36 vs 12:36, etc etc.

We have contacted the majority of the passengers via email and phone already.

The alternative was run the luncheon trains B&C with a diesel.....and we do not want that!

Thanks to WCR & NetRail for re-timing the trains.

 

That actually gives a decent length break in Stratford between trains A and B - 3 hours - time for a leisurely lunch and a look around. The normal 1 hour is too short to really anything and the break between trains A and D (nearly 6 hours) is be too long for me.

 

Thanks for the confirmation, Ben - good plan.
(I've also just had the same info from the chap who made my party's bookings)

 

Thanks for the update Ben, good to hear all parties were able to find a way around the strike. Weather warnings in place for Sunday at the moment. :/

 

Thanks for the info Ben. It might not the FBU strikes that cause problems on this coming Sunday. Fallen trees might be a problem with the expectant weather.

 

Weeks 4 & 5 With Rood Ashton.

 

Today's trip (24/08) was hauled for the first time this year by 5043. Here is a video of it about to go through Widney Manor in the early afternoon.

 

Does anybody (Ben?) know if 5043 will work the trains again on 31st? If so I might be tempted.

Don

 

Same question for the 7th September, which I understand will be the last one for 2014

 

I've just received an e-mail from VT announcing that 5043 will work the final Shakespeare Express of the summer on Sept. 7th. They have a few seats available in all classes still, except for Sunday Lunches. In particular, there are a few "Afternoon Special" tickets at £12.50 (in advance) for the Adult Return journey from Stratford. The e-mail doesn't say so in as many words, but I assume the Hall will work this weekend's train.

Having enjoyed a lunch-time trip from Stratford behind Rood Aston Hall a few weeks ago, I can heartily recommend it!

 

We have Rood Ashton rostered for 31st August - all the trains are close to being sold out, so if you are not already booked on, you have Trains A&B only.

7th Sept is Edgcumbe. There is space on Trains B&C from Stratford and return in Standard for 12.50 round-trip - not a bad deal even if I say so myself! We even have a couple of Sunday Lunches available at Tables for 2 now if anyone is interested.

www.shakespeareexpress.com

 

The last departure from Stratford today, with a few other on lookers. Does anyone know what the wreath on the smokebox is about?

 

Possibly Mike Notley who passed away this week.
http://www.national-preservation.com/threads/mike-notley.338618/#post-936536

 

David, the wreath was for Mike Notley who passed away Wednesday. He will be sorely missed.

Could you please email me a high-res version of your photo to ben@vintagetrains.co.uk.

Kindest Regards

Ben Mason

 

What's the dark headboard, one of the birthday express one's ?, work prevented me from getting out to see for myself today.