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Vintage Trains 2026

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Michael Whitehouse, Dec 18, 2025.

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  1. Will RL

    Will RL Member

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    “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.
     
    Will RL, Jan 26, 2026
    #81
  2. LittleRedTrain

    LittleRedTrain Member

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    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!
     
    LittleRedTrain, Feb 3, 2026
    #82
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  3. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    Sidmouth, Feb 5, 2026
    #83
  4. mattspencer

    mattspencer Well-Known Member

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    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?
     
    mattspencer, Feb 11, 2026 at 8:56 PM
    #84
  5. Fred Kerr

    Fred Kerr Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    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.
     
    Fred Kerr, Feb 13, 2026 at 2:51 AM
    #85
  6. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    No timings are available as yet , even my most reliable sources haven't seen any

    Most stations I understand will have security precluding access which limits the available locations significantly .

    The weekend workings are rumoured both ways via the North Warwicks but again until timings come up .....

    and finally . Henley station pub is open so if its wet and you would like somewhere warm and with refreshments , its the place to go

    and finally finally , tickets are still available , the forecast is mostly wet and as always VT would appreciate the support so https://vintagetrains.co.uk/flying-scotsman/
     
    Sidmouth, Feb 13, 2026 at 8:10 AM
    #86
  7. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    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!
     
    acorb, Feb 13, 2026 at 3:50 PM
    #87
  8. NathanP

    NathanP Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
    NathanP, Feb 13, 2026 at 4:06 PM
    #88
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  9. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    I'd far rather go up the North Warwicks than via the main and not sure why loco will be limited to 60 ?
     
    Sidmouth, Feb 13, 2026 at 4:10 PM
    #89
  10. mattspencer

    mattspencer Well-Known Member

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    Is the line speed not 60mph on the North Warwicks?
     
    mattspencer, Feb 13, 2026 at 4:55 PM
    #90
  11. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Indeed, 60mph limit to my knowledge on North Warwicks, 75mph via Chiltern.
     
    acorb, Feb 13, 2026 at 5:26 PM
    #91
  12. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    Must admit i thought post the 2010 resignalling line speed had been raised .
     
    Sidmouth, Feb 13, 2026 at 6:01 PM
    #92
  13. mattspencer

    mattspencer Well-Known Member

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    Answering my own question, it is booked via the North Warks tomorrow both directions
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2026 at 10:02 PM
    mattspencer, Feb 13, 2026 at 9:49 PM
    #93
  14. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    trouble is , nothing to stop the Signallers sending it via Bearley and Hatton and then the main on its returns to Birmingham
     
    Sidmouth, Feb 13, 2026 at 10:49 PM
    #94
  15. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    I'll be quietly hoping for that next Saturday!
    Although its been a very long time since ive done the North Warwickshire northbound, so could be there are some stretches above 60mph for steam now.
    Either way, very much looking forward to my likely one & only mainline trip behind Scotsman.
     
    acorb, Feb 14, 2026 at 8:25 AM
    #95
  16. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    Do we know in which direction Scotsman will be facing today please? [BJ]
     
    free2grice, Feb 14, 2026 at 9:14 AM
    #96
  17. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    37 on the rear today :mad:
     
    LMarsh1987, Feb 14, 2026 at 9:51 AM
    #97
  18. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    :Rage:
     
    acorb, Feb 14, 2026 at 1:52 PM
    #98
  19. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    Except they did as the loco ran round and hauled the train to stratford
     
    Sidmouth, Feb 14, 2026 at 6:09 PM
    #99
  20. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    same as normal , tender first to stratford and chimney first to birmingham
     
    Sidmouth, Feb 14, 2026 at 6:13 PM
    #100
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