RailAdvent
  • Home
  • News
    • All News
    • Freight
    • Infrastructure
    • Mainline Network
    • Heritage on the Mainline News
    • Narrow Gauge Railway News
    • Standard Gauge Railway News
  • Mainline Steam Info
  • All Railtours
  • Community
  • Online Shop
  • Simulation
  • Upgrade!
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
Cart / £0.00

No products in the basket.

  • Competitions
  • Email Newsletter
  • Reviews
  • Events Calendar
  • Video
  • Birthday Cards
  • Home
  • News
    • All News
    • Freight
    • Infrastructure
    • Mainline Network
    • Heritage on the Mainline News
    • Narrow Gauge Railway News
    • Standard Gauge Railway News
  • Mainline Steam Info
  • All Railtours
  • Community
  • Online Shop
  • Simulation
  • Upgrade!
No Result
View All Result
RailAdvent
No Result
View All Result
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Vintage Trains to recreate “Celebration Return to Steam”

Vintage Trains to recreate “Celebration Return to Steam”

Roger Smith avatar by Roger Smith
16th April 2022
in News
Reading Time: 3 mins read
6
6233 Duchess of Sutherland heading for York

6233 Duchess of Sutherland heading for York // Credit: Bradley Langton

12.3k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Exactly fifty years to the day since British Railway’s steam ban was lifted in 1972, Vintage Trains is running a special train with the same locomotive, running over the same route, and wholly on former Great Western Railway main lines.

British Rail ran their last main line steam engines in 1968, but In 1972, BR confirmed a trial period of a year for selected private steam locomotives to run on their main lines once again, and Clun Castle was one of them. On Saturday, 11th June 1972, Clun Castle hauled a “Celebration Return to Steam” run from Tyseley to Didcot, and steam was back on the main line.

The founders of Vintage Trains Charitable Trust in Birmingham had already acquired Clun Castle to save it from the scrapyard. It was the very last Great Western Railway-designed Castle Class locomotive, and had hauled the last steam trains on the Western Region of British Rail, the last steam trains from Paddington, Birmingham Snow Hill, and on the GWR Northwest route from Birkenhead.

The Charity was determined to keep Clun Castle running and successfully worked to persuade British Rail to change its minds on its steam ban.

On Saturday, 11th June, Clun Castle will run from Birmingham Snow Hill down the Chiltern line and along the Great Western Main Line to Cardiff and back. The route will take in the Severn Tunnel and, on the return, climb Hatton bank. Passengers will be able to enjoy a Great British Breakfast and evening four course dinner in authentic Pullman Cars, continental breakfast and afternoon tea in Club Class, or travel in Tourist Class with a buffet car.

Three weeks earlier, on Saturday, 21st May, “The Cotswold Explorer” behind LMS Pacific Duchess of Sutherland will travel from Birmingham to Oxford. The outward run will be down the Lickey incline, through Cheltenham, Stroud, and the Golden Valley, then a demanding climb through the Cotswolds up Sapperton bank to Oxford. After a break in the University city, Duchess of Sutherland will return to Birmingham via Hatton bank.

RelatedPosts

Great Western Railway Class 255 Falklands Livery

GWR dedicates train in tribute to those who served in Falklands War

26th June 2022
Class 40 40145 with The Staycation Express

New date for Class 40 locomotive on The Dalesman between York and Carlisle

22nd June 2022
Chris Binks works on Queen Victoria's Saloon

National Railway Museum features in new TV series this summer

21st June 2022
Gosforth Metro depot

North East Rail and Tyne & Wear Metro Strategy Approved

20th June 2022
Load More

Duchess of Sutherland is out on the main line again on Friday, 17th, and Saturday, 18th June, with a two-day trip from Birmingham to York and Newcastle. On Friday, 17th there will be an overnight stay in York, with a chance to visit the National Railway Museum, followed on Saturday, 18th by a run up the East Coast Main Line to Newcastle.

For those who do not wish to take the two-day trip, there is still the chance to sample Coronation Pacific power for just £50 return, with some diesel haulage to position the train. Travel will be Tourist class behind Duchess of Sutherland from Tyseley to York on Friday 17th June, returning behind heritage diesel power.

More details all on the tours can be found at: http://www.vintagetrains.co.uk

Tags: Birmingham Snow HillCardiffDuchess of SutherlandGreat Western RailwayHattonLickeyNewcastleOxfordPacificPaddingtonSappertonVintage TrainsYork
ShareTweetPin1ShareShare
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
guest
6 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Where Next on RailAdvent?

Railway News DVDs, Prints, Cards and Gifts MAINLINE STEAM INFO Competition Time! Share your pictures FREE NEWSLETTERS Subscribe for More
Previous Post

Train companies renew free travel scheme for domestic abuse survivors

Next Post

Newark level crossing to be resurfaced this May

Related Posts

loco on the Helston Railway line
Standard Gauge

Helston Railway is back in action operating steam services

by Chloe White
19th June 2022
0

The heritage railway started operating trains once again last month, and has since seen a steady increase in...

Read more
46100 Royal Scot approaches Irwell Vale, East Lancashire Railway

Steam locomotive 46100 Royal Scot to pass through Todmorden and Manchester this Monday

19th June 2022
46100

Royal Scot steam locomotive set to visit Edinburgh, Newcastle and York this Sunday

17th June 2022
GWR IET No. 800004 ‘Isambard Kingdom Brunel’ is captured at speed along the Great Western Mainline near Challow on 28th August 2017.

Great Western Railway awarded a National Rail Contract

16th June 2022
Load More

Top rated products

  • Keighley and Worth Valley Railway steam train christmas card Christmas Card featuring 41241 & 78022, Keighley and Worth Valley Railway
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    £2.99
  • 48305 at Grosmont MPD, North Yorkshire Moors Railway 48305 at Grosmont MPD, North Yorkshire Moors Railway
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    £3.49 – £29.99
  • Ffestiniog Railway victorian dvd and bluray set Ffestiniog Railway - Victorian Weekend 2019 - 3 Disc Set
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    £19.99 – £21.99
  • North Yorkshire Moors Railway - Annual Steam Gala 2019 - Photo & DVD Set North Yorkshire Moors Railway - Annual Steam Gala 2019 - Photo & DVD Set
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    £16.99 – £17.99
  • Greetings card featuring Linda on the Ffestiniog Railway Steam locomotive greetings card, Hunslet Linda, Ffestiniog Railway
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    £2.99

Our latest release

Watch Instantly

NYMR DVD 2019
FR Victorian DVD

You May Like

Latest Reviews

East Kent 001
Book Review

Book Review: The East Kent Railway by John-Scott-Morgan

by Roger Smith

This book from publishers Pen & Sword provides a pictorial appreciation of one of Britain's lesser-known railways, the East Kent...

Read more
8F with the freight on Train Sim World 2

REVIEW: Train Sim World 2: Spirit of Steam: Liverpool – Crewe

Load More

Latest News

The NYMR Railway Autumn Steam Gala Gets underway with Steam Trains in and around Goathland on the North York Moors
Standard Gauge

Children travel for just £1 on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway this summer!

by Chloe White
28th June 2022
Shot of the mouth of Tyseley depot operated by West Midlands Railway
Infrastructure

Network Rail completes upgrade ready for Commonwealth Games

by Roger Smith
28th June 2022
Siggy Cragwell with Prince William
Network

Special guest of honour at unveiling of National Windrush Monument at Waterloo railway station

by Chloe White
28th June 2022
Solent Remade
Network

Redundant office at Hampshire station turned into community space

by Roger Smith
28th June 2022

FREE RailAdvent newsletters

Get the latest news, reviews, deals and more straight into your inbox.

Click here to sign up today !

Our latest release

Deals at Amazon

RailAdvent Online Store

  • North Yorkshire Moors Railway DVD

    North Yorkshire Moors Railway – Annual Steam Gala 2021 – 4 Disc Set

    Rated 4.86 out of 5
    £22.99 – £29.99
    Select options
  • East Lancashire Railway DVD

    Reliving Preservation – East Lancashire Railway – Photo & 2 Disc DVD Set

    Rated 1.00 out of 5
    £17.99 – £18.99
    Select options
  • This plastic wipe-clean mouse mat features the 9F steam locomotive 92134 approaching Levisham on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

    Steam locomotive mouse mat – 9F 92134 approaching Levisham – North Yorkshire Moors Railway

    Rated 4.00 out of 5
    £6.99
    Add to basket
  • Keighley and Worth Valley Railway steam train christmas card

    Christmas Card featuring 41241 & 78022, Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    £2.99
    Add to basket
  • 50007 at Keighley on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

    50007 departs Keighley – Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

    £3.49 – £29.99
    Select options
  • John Rennie on the Ruislip Lido Railway

    John Rennie departs Eleanor’s Loop – Ruislip Lido Railway

    £3.49 – £29.99
    Select options
  • Peters Railway hits the jackpot

    Peter’s Railway Hits the Jackpot

    £11.99
    Add to basket
  • Thomas and Friends Book 28 Diesel Front Cover

    Thomas & Friends Book 28 : Diesel

    £2.99
    Add to basket

From RailAdvent

Peters Railway Books
RailAdvent

© RailAdvent Ltd 2014 - 2022
Registered in England & Wales
Company Number: 13512367
VAT Number: 392755949

More Links

  • About Us
  • Advertising on RailAdvent
  • How to Contact Us
  • RailAdvent Product List
  • Delivery, Returns & Refund Policy
  • RailAdvent Privacy Policy
  • LocoStop – The Railway Social Network
  • Mainline UK Steam Info
  • RailAdvent Points

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Cart
  • Home
  • News
  • Mainline UK Steam Info
  • Online Shop
  • Birthday Cards
  • Community
  • Book Reviews
  • Competition Time
  • Subscribe Today!
  • Simulation
  • Railtours
  • Streaming Video
  • Railway Special Events Calendar
  • Videos
  • Find A Railway
    • Railways In England
      • By County
      • By Name
    • Railways In Scotland
    • Railways In Wales
  • More Stuff
    • Miniature Railways In The UK
    • Museums In The UK
      • By Name
      • By County
    • Model Railways
    • Review of the week
    • Flying Scotsman
    • Throwback Thursdays
    • About Us
    • How to Contact Us
    • Advertising on RailAdvent
    • Featured Fridays
      • Share your Railway Photo’s & Video’s

© RailAdvent Ltd 2014 - 2022
Registered in England & Wales
Company Number: 13512367
VAT Number: 392755949

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Session expired

Please log in again. The login page will open in a new tab. After logging in you can close it and return to this page.

>
X
X