Uploaded September 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
LMS Black Five 45231 'Sherwood Forester' was given the honour of hauling Saphos Trains The William Shakespeare excursion from Holyhead to Stratford Upon Avon, steam from Crewe only. The highlight of the trip would be a rare northbound return working of over the Shakespeare Line aka the North Warwick Line in the direction of Birmingham. Now in theory steam over this section of line is rare but its also not rare, if that makes any sense, that's because The Shakespeare Express uses the line on their summer Sunday trains but these are only operated tender first and only in the direction of Stratford, then their return trips head back on the Chiltern mainline through Solihull. A big draw for the line is the scenery and the well looked after stations and there is also a nine mile climb from Edstone Aqueduct to Earlswood Lakes at a majority of 1/150, this lengthy climb is only featured on northbound return workings over the Shakespeare Line and this is what makes it a rare working as steam rarely tackles this section of line.
Now I've finished rambling, I hope you can enjoy the video. Locations are captioned as usual, a big thanks for Saphos for turning out a pristine and well performing Black Five.
LMS Black Five 45231 'Sherwood Forester' was given the honour of hauling Saphos Trains The William Shakespeare excursion from Holyhead to Stratford Upon Avon, steam from Crewe only. The highlight of the trip would be a rare northbound return working of over the Shakespeare Line aka the North Warwick Line in the direction of Birmingham. Now in theory steam over this section of line is rare but its also not rare, if that makes any sense, that's because The Shakespeare Express uses the line on their summer Sunday trains but these are only operated tender first and only in the direction of Stratford, then their return trips head back on the Chiltern mainline through Solihull. A big draw for the line is the scenery and the well looked after stations and there is also a nine mile climb from Edstone Aqueduct to Earlswood Lakes at a majority of 1/150, this lengthy climb is only featured on northbound return workings over the Shakespeare Line and this is what makes it a rare working as steam rarely tackles this section of line.
Now I've finished rambling, I hope you can enjoy the video. Locations are captioned as usual, a big thanks for Saphos for turning out a pristine and well performing Black Five.
