2 minute read
The Stratford Flyer
Saturday 1st April 2023
The Stratford Flyer will give passengers from East Anglia a wonderful opportunity to travel from Norfolk to the internationally recognised destination of Stratford -upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. The added bonus of the trip will be steam haulage by LMS Princess Coronation Pacific No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland.
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Our journey commences at Norwich early in the morning as we make our way westwards, steam hauled by Duchess of Sutherland, picking up at Thetford, March and Peterborough. We then head across country via Stamford and through Oakham, the county town of Rutland, located in the Vale of Catmose. After Melton Mowbray, we head for Leicester and Nuneaton, where we cross the West Coast main line and take the link line to Coleshill. Heading towards Birmingham, we pass the extensive construction works of HS2 for several miles before we reach Landor Street Junction, where we avoid Birmingham by following the steeply graded Camp Hill line to Bordesley Junction. Joining the Great Western’s main line out of Birmingham Snow Hill, we pass through Tyseley where the Birmingham Railway Museum is located. Leaving the main line to Paddington at Tyseley, we join the scenic North Warwick line, sometimes referred to as the Shakespeare line, and head through Henley in Arden towards Stratford-upon-Avon. The North Warwick line has a very Great Western feel about its well preserved stations and infrastructure. Descending the 1 in 75 Wilmcote bank, we now reach the present terminus of the line at Stratford-upon-Avon. Time will be available here for you to make the short walk to the town centre with its many attractions, including the Shakespeare Birthplace museum, the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, the river Avon with its boat trips and many other historic buildings. There is also a wide range of restaurants and pubs, along with many interesting and varied market town shops. Our return journey will retrace our outward route back to Norwich. Duchess of Sutherland will steam haul us as far as Peterborough on the return, with a diesel locomotive hauling us back to Norwich to end our full day out on the Stratford Flyer. Approximate Timings Outward Return Norwich 07:00 22:40 Thetford 07:55 21:55 March 09:05 21:15 Peterborough 09:30 20:50 Stratford-upon-Avon 13:20 16:30
There are three classes available:
Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam. Standard Class includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four. Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £30 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.
