Vintage Trains 2026

Not sure why you thought that, it quite clearly states the mid week trips are diesel one way with steam the other. Its why I forked out the extra £30 for a Shakespeare trip as that should be steam throughout, extra mileage and hopefully diesel free.

Edit: this must've been in the email I received as no mention of diesel one way on the website.. however Michael Whitehouse states at start of the thread only the Shakespeare's are unassisted.

 

I don't recall reading anywhere that the short trips were diesel one way until the responses to Platform3's question.
No big deal, it wouldn't have stopped me booking anyway,still decent value these days for under £50.
I just assumed that Hatton triangle would be the destination as it would obviate the need to run round and enable forward facing running, and scope for photos, if basic watering and servicing could be provided in Brum, as it is at Stratford with the regular Shakespeares.
But Martin is obviously right : no practicable reversal of the train at the north end in the time available!
So presumably topped and tailed with steam and diesel, as stated in Railway Herald.

 

Yes, little bit naughty really as it is clear with the Polar Express. Its only us enthusiasts with a bit of knowledge that can deduce that the operating procedures are likely to be the same - had I been booking off the info given on the website I (like you) would have thought steam hauled throughout.

 

Thanks for that extra info.

Incidentally, does anyone know why the steam loco usually runs round at Snow Hill on the regular Shakespeares? Not obvious to me why a train with a tender leading and diesel behind it is preferred to one with the steam loco at the back? T&T is common enough on other parts of the national network.

 

It doesn't usually have a diesel

 

Don't think ive ever known Shakespeares to have a diesel (aside from high fire risk).

 

The Shakespeares that start further afield e.g. Derby and Worcester has a diesel.

 

What happens with the afternoon legs of the Derby, Worcester and Leicester ones? Does the diesel get left at Stratford for the run to B'ham and back?

 

“Out of season” standard Shakespeare’s have had a diesel for train heating as the Castles don’t have a front end steam heat pipe.

 

Many thanks Alastair and Michael for your feedback on the Pullman dining. Having discussed it with my wife, we decided we'd give it a go for the Newcastle trip, and I booked our tickets this morning, looking forward to it.

I've also booked my own (standard) ticket for the Cambrian Coast trip... couldn't miss a chance to do it in 'proper' stock, last time I did that was 17 years ago!
It was a hard call choosing whether to do the full route (including Barmouth Bridge) or the special trip on the Talyllyn, but as I'm going to Tywyn for the gala in May anyway, the longer run won out!

 

Anyone know which way the Shakespeare Express will be going on Saturday? Is it out via North Warwicks and back via Dorridge or is it via North Warwicks both ways?

 

Does anyone have a link to the timings for the Dorridge Scotsman services; having just checked there are no timings on RTT that I can find.

 

Hope that isn't the case as the loco will be limited to 60mph which flies in the face of their advertising a little - the sprint on the Chiltern is the best bit!

 

Their advertising on this has always been a little off. The "final seats left" email that they sent this morning talks about Flying Scotsman departing central Birmingham at mainline speeds. But as far as I'm aware the outward journey is diesel-hauled, it's only steam on the return. So no one will be steaming out of Birmingham behind 60103.

 

Is the line speed not 60mph on the North Warwicks?