45596 'Bahamas' SVR to W. Somerset.

[TimBrown]

Lunchtime today, Tuesday 29 April 2025, LMS Jubilee Class 45596 'Bahamas' ran light engine with support coach through Worcester Shrub Hill from Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster to The West Somerset Railway at Bishops Lydeard for their Bank Holiday Spring Steam Gala this coming weekend.

Earlier in the morning, re-geared heavy-haul Class 66 66656 passed through Shrub Hill with the Round Oak to Margam steel 'empties' working.

[TimBrown]

Today, Friday 2 May 2025, LMS 'Black 5' 45212 ran through Bredicot light engine with support coach en route between Cardiff and Leicester. It was originally booked for Day 3 of the Great Britain XVII rail tour on Monday 28 April 2025, but failed with a hot-box on the tender. This tour was originally routed via the Welsh Marches line, but a bridge strike North of Hereford meant it ran from Cardiff via Chepstow, Gloucester and the Lickey Incline to Carnforth with 57314 as motive power.

Whilst awaiting the steam engine to take on water at Spetchley Loop a Class 150 DMU test train 950001 ran North from Truro to Derby.

[TimBrown]

45596 'Bahamas' and support coach ran through Worcester Shrub Hill Platform 2 today, Tuesday 13 May 2025, en route from Bishops Lydeard to Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. Diesel locomotive 37240 acted as pilot because of the high fire risk following the Spring drought. 'Bahamas' was in light steam and took on water at Shrub Hill, but ended up departing nearly two hours earlier than the path booked on RTT.

A few minutes before the arrival of 'Bahamas', an empty stock working from Eastriggs MOD, Dumfriesshire to Long Marston ran non-stop through platform 2 with Rail Adventure HST power cars 43423 & 43467 leading and 43465 & 43484 bringing up the rear with barrier coaches sandwiching unit 769959.

[TimBrown]

Today, Wednesday 21 May 2025, The Settle and Carlisle Coastal Pullman charter train from Severn Tunnel Junction to Carlisle called at Worcester Shrub Hill operated with Midland Pullman's HST's and nine Mark III coaches, all in a matching copy of the original 1960's attractive bright blue and ivory livery.

[TimBrown]

Today, Friday 23 May 2025, replica LNER A1 class 60164 'Tornado' and support coach passed through Bredicot on the main Birmingham to Cheltenham line en route from Orton Mere on the Nene Valley Railway to Bristol St Philips Marsh in readiness for the Royal Duchy charter on Sunday 25 May 2025 from Bristol Temple Meads to Par.

[TimBrown]

Today, Saturday 31 May 2025, Vintage Trains 'Whistling Ghost' charter from Birmingham New Street to Bishops Lydeard on the West Somerset Railway ran through Bredicot at speed with 37240 at the rear in 'top and tail' mode. It is due to run back this evening including an ascent of the Lickey incline.

[TimBrown]

Today, Tuesday 3 June 2025, a cavalcade of preserved diesel locomotives running from the Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster passed through the Worcester Back Road en route to the West Somerset Railway at Bishops Lydeard for their Summer Diesel Festival which takes place between Thursday 5th and Sunday 8th June 2025. Unnamed 'Peak' 45108, Class 50 50015 'Valiant' and Western Hydraulic D1015 'Western Champion' are seen being hauled by HST power cars 43484 and 43465,