photo: visitbirmingham.com/The Shakespeare Express: Enjoy a Vintage Summer Journey Between Birmingham and Stratford-upon-Avon
England's fastest regular steam train, The Shakespeare Express, is all set to charm passengers again this summer, providing a unique, vintage journey experience between Birmingham and Stratford-upon-Avon. This steam-hauled passenger excursion train has been delighting travelers since 1999. Operated by Vintage Trains and primarily powered by Tyseley Locomotive Works, the locomotive embarks on two trips in each direction on select Sundays, promising passengers a scenic summer voyage. The 60 to 70-minute journey travels the picturesque route via the North Warwickshire Line to Stratford and returns via the Stratford to Leamington and Chiltern Main Lines.
The Shakespeare Express beckons passengers to embark on a memorable Sunday adventure from central Birmingham through the enchanting Warwickshire countryside. Departing from one of three convenient Birmingham stations - Snow Hill at 10:00, Moor Street at 10:05, and Tyseley at 10:15 - passengers can relax in the comfort of 1950s or 1960s seats. The journey offers picturesque views, perfect for capturing snapshots from your phone. Upon reaching Stratford, passengers can seize the opportunity to photograph the locomotive before venturing into the historic town to shop and sightsee. The return journey from Stratford departs at 16:13, culminating in a day of leisurely exploration and the anticipation of future Vintage Trains adventures.
The Shakespeare Express offers two classes of travel: the luxurious Pullman Class and the economical Tourist Class. The Pullman Class offers the full glamour of steam train travel with a full English breakfast served on the morning journey and an afternoon tea on the return trip, all for a ticket price of £79 per person. However, please note that children under ten cannot book in this class. The Tourist Class, arranged in bays of four around picture windows, is ideal for a summer family day out. Adult tickets are £30, and families of four (two adults and two children) travel for £60, providing an accessible introduction to the magic of train travel for young ones. To top it all, the first dates for the 2023 departures are already live, and the locomotives used will be drawn from a pool of vintage steam and heritage diesel, promising an even more captivating travel experience.
Source: vintagetrains.co.uk
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