5043 storms the 1 in 37.7 lickey incline - The Shakespeare Express 30/6/24

The Shakespeare Express would see three extended runs this year, with trains starting from Derby, Worcester and Leicester. Today’s train originated at Worcester Shrub Hill. This would run via the notorious 1 in 37.7 Lickey Incline and Birmingham New Steeet rather than a more direct route through Stourbridge and Birmingham Snow Hill. This is due to the GWR castles being prohibited from Platform 2 at Stourbridge and Platform 1 at Old Hill.
Once again I travelled to Vigo bridge to capture a shot of 5043 working hard with the assistance of the class 47 on the rear. The train lost some time at Droitwich which gave us hope of a clear run to have a proper run at the bank, this all fell into place when it was routed via platform 2 rather than its 10 minute scheduled stop in Platform 1. The Castle began its ascent of the 2 mile climb with no noise picked up on the camera as she came under the bridge at the bottom of the incline , but it wasn’t long until the familiar 4 cylinder beat of the castle could be heard digging into the climb.
After the castle passed a scramble to Widney Manor allowed us to overtake for a second shot. 5043 could be heard hammering through Solihull before shutting off on the approach to Widney Manor. No surprise here as the Castles are also prohibited from Platform 1 at Dorridge.
We then moved to Solihull for a ‘speed’ shot which didn’t disappoint. After Solihull we decided on heading to Droitwich Spa, the service train was able to catch up to 5043 at Moor Street which meant we could grab a bonus shot of the run round.
The final shot was at a foot crossing at Droitwich Spa, close to the site of the former Fernhill Heath station.
Always a good local steam train to see and travel on. For anyone wanting to travel on the Shakespeare Express visit Www.vintagetrains.co.uk
Filmed in 4K
30/6/24

[@nige7577]

Spot on Luke, nicely captured and a great sound from the Castle, cheers 👍

[@willhemmings]

Impressive footage and you were very lucky not to be bowled from that position on the Lickey. Well done

[@zonabrown9241]

Fantastic speed❤❤

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

I caught that tour myself at stoke works junction and it’s abit rare to have the Shakespeare express to ever come through Barnt green normally they start at snow hill

[@SimonTog]

Nice video, thumbs up :)

[@blackcountrysteamvideos8021]

Thank you very much!

[@MatthewRailways50033]

Nice video 👍👍😎😎👍👍

[@blackcountrysteamvideos8021]

Thank you 👍

[@AndysSteamAdventures]

Great video mate and good to see you at the incline, was not surprised after staying the night before for the class 50's for you to be there already at that early hour of the morning 😂 also i absolutely love the shots taken at my local stations ❤

[@blackcountrysteamvideos8021]

Had my son not decided to wake the house up at 4am I would’ve arrived a lot later. Surprised there was only around 20 on us at Vigo. Was expecting a lot more as the lighting in the morning is better

[@AndysSteamAdventures]

@@blackcountrysteamvideos8021 I know mate. Yeah thought there might of been more people there

[@LiamsLocos]

Was a pleasure having the day with ya again mate! Some bloody laughs as always! The 9% lethal juice in droitwhich lmao

[@blackcountrysteamvideos8021]

Was a good un. Won’t forget that glazed look in ya eyes after drinking that can 😂

[@FeckHallBahn]

Superb video, beautifully curated editing. Loved it.

[@blackcountrysteamvideos8021]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it

[@stephensutherland2060]

Brilliant video Matey-thank you for sharing with us- from Steve Volunteer on the WSR at Watchet.

[@blackcountrysteamvideos8021]

Thanks Steve. I look forward to revisiting the WSR on the 27th of July.

[@i.c.d.-videos1901]

Awesome footage 👍🏻

[@blackcountrysteamvideos8021]

Thanks 👍

[@richardbaldwin9502]

Cracking video and a lovely engine looking forward to more

[@blackcountrysteamvideos8021]

Thank you. Tyseleys castles always put on a good show and are well looked after! Looking forward to chasing a castle to York this weekend!

[@James_Trains]

Great Video as usual mate. Good to see you at Viago again today.

[@blackcountrysteamvideos8021]

Thanks James. Great to see you at the lickey. Will check your video now

[@SYKAROST]

I gather you and Liam were a 'team' today Luke Lol. I think everyone had a busy day. I started at Barnt Green but after that I was totally alone (apart from some cows) for the rest of my shots. Regards, Brian.

[@blackcountrysteamvideos8021]

I wasn’t sure if Liam was able to make it or not but glad he eventually made it to the lickey in time. After that we more or less winged it. I’ll give your video a watch

[@pbsteamatspeed7683]

Nice video!

[@blackcountrysteamvideos8021]

Thank you

[@barrydavies6415]

Was the Brush 4 helping out?it sounded like it coming up Lickey Bank.

[@blackcountrysteamvideos8021]

It was giving a push. Both locos were working hard

[@conceyullena]

Beatiuful video, greetings 🚂👍👋

[@blackcountrysteamvideos8021]

Thanks

[@jammiebeasts]

Superb clips there, nice to see. I wasnt aware of so many platform prohibitions for the class, would you know if they are permanent or just a temporary measure please?

[@blackcountrysteamvideos8021]

It’s been a few years since we had a castle go up old hill now so I’m guessing it’s permanent? I’d love to be wrong though.

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Luke, What time was breakfast? I hear you arrived early at Vigo but you had a great capture. Regards, John

[@blackcountrysteamvideos8021]

John I wasn’t planning on leaving the house until half 6 but my son decided to recite nursery rhymes at 4am meaning I woke up early. Was glad to get Some food after widney manor

[@davidbailey533]

Why the castles prohibited from those platforms then ? Cracking fulm

[@blackcountrysteamvideos8021]

It’s been a couple of years now. Network rail did some work on Old Hill tunnel a couple of years ago and I heard from a friend that the castles were now out of gauge going up old hill. I learnt Friday that the platforms mentioned in the description were prohibited, not the tunnel.

[@davidbailey533]

@@blackcountrysteamvideos8021 explains it then cheers

[@jfrankland1991]

Beautiful shots. Sorry, don't want to play devil's advocate here but it seems that train/support crew are allowed to have their head out of the window (see first coach going up the Lickey) but punters aren't and get vilified on trips now for even standing in a vestibule! Makes my p**s boil