The Regular Engine

4965 Rood Ashton Hall

4965 Rood Ashton Hall is the regular engine used on the popular Shakespeare Express summer steam train service running between Birmingham & Stratford-upon-Avon. Following its 10 year overhaul during 2009, we expect it to head most Shakespeare Express trains throughout 2010..

This 4-6-0 Hall class engine was built for the Great Western Railway in 1929 at Swindon Works for mixed traffic duties. It was equally at home hauling freight and express passenger trains. It was purchased from Barry Scrapyard in 1971 for the Tyseley Collection specifically for use on the Birmingham to Stratford steam train service. It has been restored for main line use carrying authentic GWR 1926 fully lined livery, entering service in 1998.

In addition to being the regular engine on the Shakespeare Express, it has also headed tours to many places including places which have never before seen a Great Western engine.

For more information on 4965 Rood Ashton Hall

A New Engine

5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe

5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe is a member of the GWR Castle class and was out shopped from Swindon works in March 1936. During it's former working life it was modified with a double chimney and 4-row superheater and for a time was coupled with a Hawksworth flat-sided tender.

In GWR days 5043 frequently hauled the 'fastest train in the world', the 'Cheltenham Flyer'. In BR Western Region days it was recorded as reaching 98mph in 1958 on the 'Bristolian' when running in its final modified form.

The engine was extensively overhauled and restored to mainline standards at Tyseley Locomotive Works and is now certified to run on Network Rail at speeds up to 75 mph. It will be used on Vintage Trains tours and will also stand in for 4965 on the Shakespeare Express.

For more information on 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe

Other Engines

From time to time guest locomotives have headed the Shakespeare Express, and occasionally Mid-Week Evening Specials using tank engines. This list shows other engines that have headed The Shakespeare Express since 1998 :

GWR 37xx City 4-4-0 3440 City of Truro

GWR 49xx Hall 4-6-0 4936 Kinlet Hall

GWR 49xx Hall 4-6-0 4953 Pitchford Hall

GWR 4073 Castle 4-6-0 5029 Nunney Castle

GWR 49xx Hall 4-6-0 5972 Olton Hall

GWR 60xx King 4-6-0 6024 King Edward I

LMS 5MT 4-6-0 45305 Alderman A.E.Draper

LMS Jubilee 4-6-0 5690 Leander

LMS Coronation 4-6-2 6233 Duchess of Sutherland

LNER A2 4-6-2 60532 Blue Peter