31st March 2002

Vintage Trains
The Cathedrals Express

Route:

Notes:
(1) 37668 on rear.
(2) 6024 on rear.

Details for Second Return Journey were "as booked" – confirmation required.

Source: Adrian Knight (Travelled on First Return Journey)

Tour Review
(by Adrian Knight)

After last years successful Easter trip to Bridgnorth with Cheshire Railtours, I thought another Easter railtour a good idea.  This year Vintage trains were offering a run behind 6024 on Easter Sunday.  The King Kettle has been repaired by Tyseley museum, and is being used on a number of Vintage Trains “Shakespeare Express” services to break it in before more ambitious itineraries are attempted.  Due to engineering work along the line to Stratford-upon-Avon, today we would run to Worcester instead with the same two return journeys format as per “Shakespeare Express.”

Tickets arrived a massive 3 weeks before running however the details did not appear on TOPS until 27^th March with the times looking rather a lot different to those sent out!

We arrived at Birmingham Snow Hill to see a fair few passengers awaiting the arrival of King Edward I.  The loco rolled in on time at 10:06 with the nameplate of “King Steve” on one side.  Departure was on time and we rolled down the hill towards the Jewellery Quarter on our way and good progress made.  It seemed that most of the station staff took time off to watch our progress through the Birmingham suburbs – this sure beats passenger counting class 150’s for Central Trains which most of my mileage along this route has been down too!

Not a lot to report passing, an hourly service was being run by CENTRO so little chance of catching any units up.  The loco was performing well with good runs of speed being attained throughout the whole run although much of it was down hill!

A whistling competition was entered into passing Kidderminster with 1501 backed onto a rake of carriages on the Severn Valley Railway.  On the Diesel point was 50035, 50049, D821, 37906 and a shunter which looked as if it had been repainted recently.

All too soon we were onto the approach to Worcester Shrub Hill, Journey’s end.  A quick look at the loco confirmed that “King Edward I” was on the other nameplate.  Tyseley seem to have a habit of dual-naming steam locos.  The same was done to Hall 4965 being named “Rood Ashton Hall” on one side and “Albert Hall” on the other as the loco was made up of bits from both locos.  Maybe the owners of 50007 should name one side “Ajax” to commemorate 50046!  As the loco was being watered, we went for a look around the Worcester.

It was like a ghost town with only McDonalds open!

We got back to Shrub Hill around 12:30 to see 6024 backing onto the train.  During the layover it travelled light to Foregate Street (Reverse) Worcester Tunnel Junction (Reverse) and back to Shrub Hill to turn it.

Departure was on time.  Noted on Worcester stabling point was 150104, 124, 109 and 001 along with 158858.

Another whistling competition was held as we passed Kidderminster, this time with 80048.  Old Hill bank was attacked in style although we staggered all the way to Stourbridge, where we held half in and half out the platform.

Return to Snow Hill was early despite the stagger up Old Hill Bank and our stop in Stourbridge.  It was homeward bound then to depress myself by watching the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(by Adrian Knight)

 First Return Journey (travelled on) 6024 throughout

 Second Return Journey : 37668 was attached on the rear of 1Z92 from Birmingham Snow Hill. The class 37 then dragged 6024 from Foregate Street into Shrub Hill, dropped off and worked 0Z98 behind back to Bescot.

1Z93 was E.C.S between Foregate Street and Shrub Hill

Key;
a : arrival time
d : departure time
L : loco change
* : operational stop

Distances, in miles and chains (M & C), are taken from the timing sheet given out on the train.  No attempt has been made to verify any of the mileages given.

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