Pullman Dining On The "Shakespeare Express" With The Magical 5972...
The wonderful "Shakespeare Express" is a main line service, operated by Tyseley-based Vintage Trains Limited, which runs between Birmingham & Stratford-upon-Avon every Sunday from July until September. Beginning its journey at Birmingham Snow Hill the train then calls at Birmingham Moor Strret, Tyseley & Henley-in-Arden before arriving in Stratford. (Two round trips are operated from Snow Hill per day). Train fare's are very reasonable in Standard Class and, if you want to make a very special day, you can travel in Pullman Class, enjoying meals served at your table. Today, as a 40th birthday treat for my mother, I had booked myself & her aboard the "Shakespeare Express" in Pullman Class. We arrived at Snow Hill before 10am under threatening skies and were very pleased with the clean & secure car park above the station. We then made our way down to the already crowded platforms. A few minutes later, the day's locomotive, ex-GWR Hall Class 4-6-0 No5972 "Olton Hall" (star of the Harry Potter movies), arrived with the morning's "Shakespeare Express" ECS in platform 1. She, and the coaches, were all turned out very smartly and, due to the spitting rain, we boarded the Pullman's ready for breakfast. (I've included photo's of the table & the food as it was too fantastic not too!).
Breakfast on a steam train? What can be better? After sitting down at our table for two we indulged in the already laid-out orange juice. A few minutes later the first round of the breakfast was served...we had porridge and, without doubt, it was the best porridge I'd ever tasted. (It even had added fresh cream...yum yum!). After quickly finishing the porridge we enjoyed the view from the train across the Birmingham skyline as it still wasn't departure time. Soon after, toast was served and that was also fantastic...it was just right! After that it was time for the highly anticapted full english breakfast and, as 5972 pulled us away from Snow Hill on time, we began...
This, without doubt, is the best way to travel. After passing through the lengthy Snow Hill Tunnel, we picked up more passengers at Moor Street & Tyseley. It was then a leisurely run (with 5972 running tender-first) all the way down the 'Shakespeare Line' to Stratford. After calling at a packed Henley-in-Arden station, it was time to continue the last leg into Stratford. The views from the train were fantastic...rolling fields, tree-lined embankments and lots & lots of wildlife! (The "Shakespeare Express" route notes come in very handy when trying to spot points of interest!). Tea (or coffee) was also served along with the breakfast and, with a cup of tea in one hand and the route notes in the other hand, the journey was fabulous! We arrived at Stratford on time and quickly left the train (feeling very well-fed indeed!) to admire the locomotive. We crossed to Platform 2 and witnessed 5972 shunting the stock ready for return of the 1st trip to Snow Hill. (Shown below).
Once 5972 had completed the move we headed into Stratford town (around 5-10 minutes walk from the main line station). It is a lovely town to take a steam train to, with its culture & its unique history. Though the skies stayed ever-threatening, it didn't dampen our spirits however. The hearty breakfast we had enjoyed on the train kept us going all afternoon. After a few hours of checking out the various quirky shops and the riverside market we headed back to the main line station as it was getting towards departure time. 5972 was already back there again, proudly standing at the head of the 8-coach rake of chocolate & cream coaches in platform 2. As we had more than 40 minutes until our 4:10pm departure, we took some time to admire the red-liveried locomotive.
I must admit, this engine does look fantastic in the red livery it carries. As can be seen above, the loco also carries the "Hogwarts Railway"s logo on its tender-sides. Now for a bit of info about No5972. Built in April 1937, the loco is one of the numorous Hall class engines which worked mixed traffic all over the GWR system. After her working life she was withdrawn in December 1963 and went to the well-known steam loco burial ground, Barry Scrapyard. Happily, she was purchased, and was the 125th engine to leave the yard, departing in May 1981. She is now based at the West Coast Railway Company's yard in Carnforth, Lancashire. The engine achieved ever-lasting fame when she was featured as the "Hogwarts Express" locomotive in the first Harry Potter film. She has since featured in many more of the Harry Potter movies, carrying a red livery, "Hogwarts Castle" nameplates and the well known "Hogwarts Express" headboard on the smokebox. (Today of course she was carrying the "Shakespeare Express" headboard and her "Olton Hall" namplates).
5972 has a very much standard GWR cab-control layout. The regulator can be seen in the centre with the reverser being visible in the bottom-right corner. The one water gauge glass can be seen to the left of the image. The pressure gauge is seen clearly in the top left corner, below which is, I believe, the steam heating gauge. The red handle at the bottom of the image operates the firehole doors. The two 'cocks' in the top-centre of the image are the two steam valves for the two injectors. The control just to the right of the regulator is for the combined steam/vacuum brake. The highest gauge on the right is the vacuum gauge. The whistle chain can also be seen above this gauge. Against the window can be seen the various instruments requiring for main line operation.
After admiring the engine it was time to make our way to our Pullman car ready for dining again on the return run. We were actually quite 'lucky' as it started raining very (very!) heavily as soon as we'd got on the train! Oh well, were safe & sound in the beautifully restored Pullman Cars. Once at our table for two we ordered drinks before awaiting departure. Just before departure time the meals began to arrive. My mum had a salmon dinner but I had the chicken in peppercorn sauce...it was fantastic!...
The meal served on the last train from Stratford is usually known as 'High Tea' and, following our dinner, included more tea and even a fresh cake. What could be better? Steam locomotive+Pullman cars+Cup of tea+Fresh cake...fastastic!...
Meanwhile, 5972 was storming out of Stratford towards Bearley Junction. Here, the express comes off the "Shakespeare Line" (on the return run only) and makes its way through small villages, such as Claverdon, before arriving at Hatton North Junction and connecting with the main line between Leamington & Tyseley. The scenary is also lovely on this section of the line too. I think Vintage Trains chose the route for their trains very well indeed...
Munch, Munch, Munch...
Oh well, when its gone its gone! Once on the main line, 5972 was given her head and began to fly along the tracks towards Dorridge. She was obviously working at her maximum permitted speed and, afterall, thats what main line steam is all about! It's always wonderful to see locomotive's built, in this case more than 70 years ago, tearing along the main line doing what they were designed to do and, more importantly, doing it very well indeed! The 8 coach train seemed to be absolutely no problem for the locomotive at all. The most pressing problem was the approach of several very dark clouds and, within seconds, the heavens opened and hammering rain began to fall. 5972 didn't care though, and continued to tear along making sure that those "modern trains" didn't have chance to catch up! It was a fantastic run and I'm sure everyone on the train was a little dissapointed when we had to slow down again for Tyseley station! However, it had been a fantastic trip and the food was definately the best. After setting down passengers at Tyseley, 5972 continued on to Moor Street, dropping off more passengers there as well. It was then a short run up the 1 in 45 gradient through Snow Hill Tunnel.
With rain still falling, 5972 arrived triumphantly back at Birmingham Snow Hill with the days final "Shakespeare Express". We then reluctantly left the train before watching 5972 run round in the wet. She still looked very very clean! (Must of been the 'power-wash' on the way back!). Our day was superb and I would recommend it to absolutely anybody, whatever your interests. The great food, friendly staff, well-turned out locomotives & coaches and of course the excellent service makes a fantastic & extremely memorable day out for the young & old alike. I'm sure we'll cherish memories of the day for many years to come and, I'm sure we'll take another railtour (maybe to York again??) aboard the Pullman's with Vintage Trains sometime next year and, without doubt, I will emmensely look forward to it. Thank you very much Vintage Trains (and 5972...) for a fantastic day out on the "Shakespeare Express".
The wonderful "Shakespeare Express" is a main line service, operated by Tyseley-based Vintage Trains Limited, which runs between Birmingham & Stratford-upon-Avon every Sunday from July until September. Beginning its journey at Birmingham Snow Hill the train then calls at Birmingham Moor Strret, Tyseley & Henley-in-Arden before arriving in Stratford. (Two round trips are operated from Snow Hill per day). Train fare's are very reasonable in Standard Class and, if you want to make a very special day, you can travel in Pullman Class, enjoying meals served at your table. Today, as a 40th birthday treat for my mother, I had booked myself & her aboard the "Shakespeare Express" in Pullman Class. We arrived at Snow Hill before 10am under threatening skies and were very pleased with the clean & secure car park above the station. We then made our way down to the already crowded platforms. A few minutes later, the day's locomotive, ex-GWR Hall Class 4-6-0 No5972 "Olton Hall" (star of the Harry Potter movies), arrived with the morning's "Shakespeare Express" ECS in platform 1. She, and the coaches, were all turned out very smartly and, due to the spitting rain, we boarded the Pullman's ready for breakfast. (I've included photo's of the table & the food as it was too fantastic not too!). 
Breakfast on a steam train? What can be better? After sitting down at our table for two we indulged in the already laid-out orange juice. A few minutes later the first round of the breakfast was served...we had porridge and, without doubt, it was the best porridge I'd ever tasted. (It even had added fresh cream...yum yum!). After quickly finishing the porridge we enjoyed the view from the train across the Birmingham skyline as it still wasn't departure time. Soon after, toast was served and that was also fantastic...it was just right! After that it was time for the highly anticapted full english breakfast and, as 5972 pulled us away from Snow Hill on time, we began... 
This, without doubt, is the best way to travel. After passing through the lengthy Snow Hill Tunnel, we picked up more passengers at Moor Street & Tyseley. It was then a leisurely run (with 5972 running tender-first) all the way down the 'Shakespeare Line' to Stratford. After calling at a packed Henley-in-Arden station, it was time to continue the last leg into Stratford. The views from the train were fantastic...rolling fields, tree-lined embankments and lots & lots of wildlife! (The "Shakespeare Express" route notes come in very handy when trying to spot points of interest!). Tea (or coffee) was also served along with the breakfast and, with a cup of tea in one hand and the route notes in the other hand, the journey was fabulous! We arrived at Stratford on time and quickly left the train (feeling very well-fed indeed!) to admire the locomotive. We crossed to Platform 2 and witnessed 5972 shunting the stock ready for return of the 1st trip to Snow Hill. (Shown below). 
Once 5972 had completed the move we headed into Stratford town (around 5-10 minutes walk from the main line station). It is a lovely town to take a steam train to, with its culture & its unique history. Though the skies stayed ever-threatening, it didn't dampen our spirits however. The hearty breakfast we had enjoyed on the train kept us going all afternoon. After a few hours of checking out the various quirky shops and the riverside market we headed back to the main line station as it was getting towards departure time. 5972 was already back there again, proudly standing at the head of the 8-coach rake of chocolate & cream coaches in platform 2. As we had more than 40 minutes until our 4:10pm departure, we took some time to admire the red-liveried locomotive. 
I must admit, this engine does look fantastic in the red livery it carries. As can be seen above, the loco also carries the "Hogwarts Railway"s logo on its tender-sides. Now for a bit of info about No5972. Built in April 1937, the loco is one of the numorous Hall class engines which worked mixed traffic all over the GWR system. After her working life she was withdrawn in December 1963 and went to the well-known steam loco burial ground, Barry Scrapyard. Happily, she was purchased, and was the 125th engine to leave the yard, departing in May 1981. She is now based at the West Coast Railway Company's yard in Carnforth, Lancashire. The engine achieved ever-lasting fame when she was featured as the "Hogwarts Express" locomotive in the first Harry Potter film. She has since featured in many more of the Harry Potter movies, carrying a red livery, "Hogwarts Castle" nameplates and the well known "Hogwarts Express" headboard on the smokebox. (Today of course she was carrying the "Shakespeare Express" headboard and her "Olton Hall" namplates). 
5972 has a very much standard GWR cab-control layout. The regulator can be seen in the centre with the reverser being visible in the bottom-right corner. The one water gauge glass can be seen to the left of the image. The pressure gauge is seen clearly in the top left corner, below which is, I believe, the steam heating gauge. The red handle at the bottom of the image operates the firehole doors. The two 'cocks' in the top-centre of the image are the two steam valves for the two injectors. The control just to the right of the regulator is for the combined steam/vacuum brake. The highest gauge on the right is the vacuum gauge. The whistle chain can also be seen above this gauge. Against the window can be seen the various instruments requiring for main line operation. 
After admiring the engine it was time to make our way to our Pullman car ready for dining again on the return run. We were actually quite 'lucky' as it started raining very (very!) heavily as soon as we'd got on the train! Oh well, were safe & sound in the beautifully restored Pullman Cars. Once at our table for two we ordered drinks before awaiting departure. Just before departure time the meals began to arrive. My mum had a salmon dinner but I had the chicken in peppercorn sauce...it was fantastic!...
The meal served on the last train from Stratford is usually known as 'High Tea' and, following our dinner, included more tea and even a fresh cake. What could be better? Steam locomotive+Pullman cars+Cup of tea+Fresh cake...fastastic!... 
Meanwhile, 5972 was storming out of Stratford towards Bearley Junction. Here, the express comes off the "Shakespeare Line" (on the return run only) and makes its way through small villages, such as Claverdon, before arriving at Hatton North Junction and connecting with the main line between Leamington & Tyseley. The scenary is also lovely on this section of the line too. I think Vintage Trains chose the route for their trains very well indeed...
Munch, Munch, Munch... 
Oh well, when its gone its gone! Once on the main line, 5972 was given her head and began to fly along the tracks towards Dorridge. She was obviously working at her maximum permitted speed and, afterall, thats what main line steam is all about! It's always wonderful to see locomotive's built, in this case more than 70 years ago, tearing along the main line doing what they were designed to do and, more importantly, doing it very well indeed! The 8 coach train seemed to be absolutely no problem for the locomotive at all. The most pressing problem was the approach of several very dark clouds and, within seconds, the heavens opened and hammering rain began to fall. 5972 didn't care though, and continued to tear along making sure that those "modern trains" didn't have chance to catch up! It was a fantastic run and I'm sure everyone on the train was a little dissapointed when we had to slow down again for Tyseley station! However, it had been a fantastic trip and the food was definately the best. After setting down passengers at Tyseley, 5972 continued on to Moor Street, dropping off more passengers there as well. It was then a short run up the 1 in 45 gradient through Snow Hill Tunnel. 
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