Steam & Diesel Charters via Worcester

[TimBrown]

Worcester Shrub Hill was visited by two charters on Saturday 30 May 2026; first at 08-00 AM came the Saphos 'English Riviera Express' from Wolverhampton to Kingswear hauled by Locomotive Services 47805 (D1935) 'Roger Hosking MA 1925 - 2013', with 47712 'Lady Diana Spencer' in 'top-and-tail' mode at the rear.

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Then an hour later Vintage Trains 'Whistling Ghost' from Birmingham Snow Hill to Minehead arrived hauled by immaculate GWR steam locomotive 5043 'Earl of Mount Edgcumbe' with Class 37 diesel 37240 in top-&-tail mode at the rear.

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A few minutes later the fully loaded steel train from Margam to Round Oak ran through Platform one hauled by 66660.

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The following day, Sunday 31 May 2026, LNER A4 Pacific 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' and support coach returned from a month long stint on the West Somerset Railway, running from Bishops Lydeard to Crewe with Class 47 47712 'Lady Diana Spencer' doing the haulage; presumably because of the fire risk from steam locomotives, without spark arresters, following the recent unseasonal heatwave. Note that 47712 had travelled down to the South West at the rear of Saturday's 'English Riviera Express'.

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