Shakespeare Express

U.K. heritage excursion train

Shakespeare Express
4965 Rood Ashton Hall hauling a Shakespeare Express service through Lapworth in July 2016
Overview
Service typePassenger excursion train
First service1999
Current operator(s)Vintage Trains
Route
TerminiBirmingham Snow Hill
Stratford-upon-Avon
StopsBirmingham Moor Street
Tyseley
Distance travelled50 miles
Service frequencySelected Summer Sundays
Train number(s)158Y-161Y
Line(s) usedNorth Warwickshire
Leamington Stratford
Chiltern
On-board services
Class(es)First and Standard
Catering facilitiesYes
  • v
  • t
  • e
Shakespeare Express
Birmingham Snow Hill
Snow Hill Tunnel
Birmingham Moor Street
Bordesley Viaduct
Bordesley
Camp Hill line
Bordesley Junction
Small Heath
Tyseley Locomotive Works
Tyseley
Tyseley South Junction
Spring Road
Hall Green
Yardley Wood
Shirley
Whitlocks End
Wythall
Earlswood
The Lakes
Spring Brook
Wood End
Wood End Tunnel
Danzey
Henley-in-Arden
Wootton Wawen
Bearley West Junction
Wilmcote
Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway
Stratford-upon-Avon

The Shakespeare Express is a steam-hauled passenger excursion train that has operated since 1999. It operates two trips in each direction on selected summer Sundays from Birmingham Snow Hill to Stratford-upon-Avon with a journey times of 60 to 70 minutes in each direction.[1][2][3] The outbound journey operates via the North Warwickshire Line with the return using the Stratford to Leamington and Chiltern Main Lines.[4][5]

It is operated by Vintage Trains, with traction generally supplied by Tyseley Locomotive Works although locomotives from elsewhere may be brought in on an as-required basis. As there are no turning locomotive facilities at Stratford-upon-Avon, the train operates with the locomotive running tender first in one direction.

References

  1. ^ The Shakespeare Express 2019 Vintage Trains
  2. ^ The Shakespeare Express returns to the mainline this summer with William Shakespeare on board Rail Business Daily 11 July 2019
  3. ^ Vintage Trains arrivals and departures Stratford-upon-Avon station 15 September 2019 Real Train Times
  4. ^ 158Y 1000 Birmingham Snow Hill to Stratford-upon-Avon 15 September 2019 Real Train Times
  5. ^ 159Y 1241 Stratford-upon-Avon to Birmingham Snow Hill 15 September 2019 Real Train Times

External links

  • Official website
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