Flying Scotsman - Steam - Valentines Shakespeare Express #railway #steam

At The Lakes halt, 60103 Flying Scotsman runs tender first (unusual on the mainline) leading 1T50 the 0946 Birmingham Snow Hill to Stratford Upon Avon ‘Shakespeare Express’ on 14/2/26 - class 37 no 37240 is tucked inside.

60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ powers up the gradient from Danzey and through Wood End tunnel leading 1T51 1200 Stratford to Birmingham Snow Hill ‘Valentines Shakespeare Express’, complete with headboard 60103 heads north with 9 coaches and class 37 no 37240 on the rear.

Hauling the second round of the ‘Valentine Shakespeare Express’ the infamous 60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ flys through Danzey with the 1T53, the 1652 Stratford to Birmingham Snow Hill.

The final working on 14th Februarys ‘Valentine’s Shakespeare Express’ with Flying Scotsman was due to be 1T55 the 2058 Stratford to Birmingham Snow Hill. However at departure time there was no movement and shortly afterwards class 37 no 37240 ran round at Stratford to go on the front and lead the train back to Birmingham.
It departed Stratford 27 minutes late however made up some time en route as nothing was in front of it by this point.

The 37 can be heard growling up the gradient at Wood End as it leads the train northbound back towards Birmingham.