On This Day… The Shakespeare Express

GWR 4900 class 4-6-0 4965 ROOD ASHTON HALL-20040718 (Stratford-upon-Avon)GWR 4900 class 4-6-0 4965 ROOD ASHTON HALL
Stratford-upon-Avon, 18 July 2004

Twenty years ago today I took a trip on The Shakespeare Express from Stratford-upon-Avon to Birmingham Snow Hill.

Great Western Railway ‘Hall’ class 4-6-0 4965 ROOD ASHTON HALL (built in 1929 at Swindon Works) was in charge of the eight coach train and I remember enjoying the journey in spite of the torrential rain!

GWR 4900 class 4-6-0 4965 ROOD ASHTON HALL (nameplate)-20040718 (Birmingham Snow Hill)ROOD ASHTON HALL nameplate
Birmingham Snow Hill, 18 July 2004

Spotted Yesterday… 57314 at Belper

57314-2022062457314 Conwy Castle
Belper, 24 June 2022

Spotted last night, West Coast Railway Company’s 57314 Conwy Castle approaching Belper with train 1Z64, the 16.47 return leg of the ‘Scarborough at Leisure’ railtour from Coventry.

Classmate 57313 Scarborough Castle was on the rear of the 11 coach rake.