AN HISTORIC 74-year-old steam locomotive – once driven by the King – will haul a special train from Droitwich to Stratford-upon-Avon this summer.
Clun Castle, built at Swindon in 1950, used to pull express trains on British Rail’s Western Region before the switch to diesel.
It was the last of its type to be withdrawn from service, operating the final steam-hauled train from London Paddington on November 17, 1965.
But instead of being sent to a scrapyard to be turned into pots and pans, the locomotive was bought by enthusiasts for £2,400 and carefully restored.
Now the gleaming green Clun Castle, number 7029, is coming to Droitwich on Sunday, June 30 to haul the special “Shakespeare Express” train.
Passengers will be able to tuck into a slap-up English breakfast during the three-hour trip to Stratford.
A spokesperson said: “We won’t just be taking them to Warwickshire, we will also be transporting them back to the glorious days of steam during the 1950s.
“Clun Castle was one of the finest steam engines on British Rail’s Western Region, hauling crack express trains and regularly reaching almost 100mph.
“It once broke the record for the fastest trip between Plymouth and Bristol.”
King Charles, while still Prince of Wales, took the controls as he travelled on the locomotive’s footplate from Birmingham’s Snow Hill to Tyseley in 1988 to mark the 150th anniversary of the London & Birmingham Railway.
More than 300 passengers are expected to travel on the “Shakespeare Express”, which will depart Worcester Shrub Hill station at 10.25am before picking up more passengers at Droitwich Spa at 10.35.
Visit vintagetrains.co.uk/train-rides/the-shakespeare-express-to-stratford-return-new-departures-from-derby-leicester-or-worcester/ for more information.
