Created 16-Jul-24
29 photos
The Shakespeare Express on Sunday 14th July 2024 was the third trial by Vintage Trains to test the commercial viability of starting trains from locations in the Midlands other than Birmingham. First, they tried Derby, then Worcester and on this occasion Leicester. It will be a little time before any conclusion is made public. Of course, Leicester was the most convenient for me and therefore it was with enthusiasm that I set off to Burbage Common for my first photographs. 7029 CLUN CASTLE was going a bit too fast for me and my shooting finger must have been in heritage mode as I misfired the Canon camera which is unusual. I was soon away and headed next to the high overbridge by ‘The Durham Ox’ at Shrewley. I had planned to use my long mirror lens on the return run when the train passed Hatton North Junction and this location gave my position and a trial run. After the train had passed on time everything for the rest of the day went decidedly wrong. The train did not return on the main line as booked and I decided it must have gone on the North Warwickshire line – but this I could not confirm until my phone recorded 11 min late at Tyseley. It had been stuck behind an all stations DMU running immediately ahead. I was so late the café had shut so I gad no hot lunch – not a happy bunny! I found from the staff at Stratford-upon-Avon Station that there had been a points failure at Bearley Junction and the signalman could not set the route to Claverdon and Hatton West. The return run was via North Warwick anyway but this time I was stuck in traffic by Stratford Parkway and just as I took my kit from the back of the car it passed through The Lakes Halt, Earlswood. No pictures on the return run at all.
© DAVID ARMITAGE