The Shakespeare Express celebrates the fortieth anniversary of its first run this year, its anniversary coinciding with the bicentenary of the modern railway and the 186th anniversary of Derby railway station opening.

Since 1985, the Shakespeare Express has operated authentic steam-hauled journeys between Birmingham and Stratford-upon-Avon. Last year, its route was expanded, adding two departures from Derby.

In 2025, there will be four Shakespeare Express journeys starting at Derby, calling at Burton-on-Trent, Tamworth (High Level) and Coleshill Parkway on Sunday, 27 April, 8 June (the 40th-anniversary date for the first run of The Shakespeare Express), 3 August and 26 October. Its route passes through the East Midlands and the Warwickshire countryside.

The Shakespeare Express, run by Vintage Trains, is a mainline train hauled by historic steam locomotives with 1960s carriages. It will be hauled by either 7029 ‘Clun Castle’ or 5043 ‘Earl of Mount Edgcumbe’.

There are different classes of travel tickets, with different accommodation and dining. The tickets are on sale now.

This year, the Shakespeare Express will form part of Vintage Trains’ celebrations of the two-hundredth anniversary of the modern railway.

Derby station first opened in 1839. The Midland Railway decided to locate its headquarters in Derby, which made the town a busy railway hub.

The Shakespeare Express is also helping to celebrate this year’s 175th anniversary of Worcester Shrub Hill railway station.