Description
This impressive full day excursion covers Great Western and Midland main lines, hauled by Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive! In part one we begin our journey at Derby with diesel haulage by 47 773. We pick Burton on Trent, Tamworth (High Level), Coleshill Parkway and Tyseley before stopping at Dorridge where Duchess of Sutherland takes charge at the front of our train. We then head south and west on the GWR mainline via Oxford and Swindon to Bristol Temple Meads for three and a half hours of sightseeing in the city.
In part two we take the Midland route for our return, direct to Derby via Cheltenham Spa and the famous 1 in 37.7, two-mile gradient of ‘The Lickey’, the steepest sustained main line railway incline in Great Britain. On arrival at Derby, we say goodbye to 6233 and the 47 returns us to Tyseley.
Due to the requirement to take a banker over the Lickey Incline and not wishing to stop at the foot of the incline to gain such assistance, a diesel will accompany the rear of the train throughout the journey from Tyseley – although we will ensure that the Duchess is doing the lion’s share of the work throughout!
