7029 Clun Castle shatters Solihull! | The Father's Day Shakespeare Express | 16/06/24

Today's video is of WR Castle Class 4-6-0 7029 Clun Castle in the West Midlands on the Father's Day special Shakespeare Express! The Shakespeare Express is a regular summer Sundays steam tour that begins in Birmingham Snow Hill and does two round trips, each one tender first via the North Warwicks Line to Stratford upon Avon, from where it runs smokebox first via Dorridge and the Chiltern Mainline. Vintage Trains have been expanding Shakespeare Express operations over the last couple of years to operate further afield and outside the normal summer season so this is one of those.
Todays weather was forecast as sunny intervals, and this did play out. I travelled first to Solihull in the morning to see 7029 pass through. Despite sounding good and a fantastic whistle, the train wasn't moving at the speed I'd expected, as in fact both times today the signallers set Bentley Heath Crossing late meaning Clun had passed several caution aspects before the crossing was set. I have seen this done only one other time recently, hopefully it won't become a regular occurrence as it doesn't allow the train to get up to speed. I did briefly head up to Moor Street to witness the turning move and meet my mates so that's included! For the second run I met ‪@LiamsLocos‬ ‪@WestCountrySteamVideos‬ and ‪@AndysSteamAdventures‬ and saw it at Bentley Heath Crossing. Again because of the signallers it wasn't moving at full speed but certainly making some noise and a nice go on the whistle too. That ended the day nicely!
Thank you to everyone who made this possible and thank you to WMR, VT, 7029 and her crew as well as my mates for their company. No thanks to the signallers for their part in today's runs lol. I hope you enjoy as I did!

[@abandonedrailwaya2470]

Great shots of 7029 putting in another very impressive appearance. Thanks for sharing🙂👍

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Many thanks! I'm very glad you enjoyed it and 7029 was certainly going for it at Solihull. Regards, Dan

[@robertbate5790]

Storming at Solihull, brilliant. Nice shot at Bentley Heath too 👍👍👍👍

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Thank you very much, definitely going for it at Solihull! The signallers definitely affected the Bentley Heath one lol. Regards, Dan

[@robertbate5790]

@@crunchynutsteamfilms5043 Yes I did notice, lol 🤣

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Dan, Great captures. Regards, John

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Cheers John, I'm very glad you enjoyed them! Regards, Dan

[@spudflap]

Superb, wonderful sounds. And so nice to see no diesel on the back...

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Thank you very much! Yes, no diesel is always a welcome appearance. Regards, Dan

[@AndysSteamAdventures]

Great to see you and Liam at Bentley Heath for the last run of the day, hope Liam had a great birthday 🎉

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Fantastic to see you too as always mate and I trust he did! Regards, Dan

[@maxwellwalcher6420]

Fantastic Shots you made.

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Thank you very much, I'm glad you enjoyed them! Regards, Dan

[@James_Trains]

Great Video mate. I was also out for the Shakespeare but I was riding and i filmed it at Moor Street and Stratford this Morning. Regard, James.

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Thank you very much! The Shakespeare is always a fun one to ride behind, and very reasonably priced. Regards, Dan

[@SimonTog]

A very nice done video :)

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Thank you very much! I'm very glad you enjoyed it. Regards, Dan