22nd March 1992

Flying Scotsman Services Ltd
The William Shakespeare Express
Locos Used 47847 & steam: 6024 'King Edward I'

Route :

Loco(s) Route
6024 London Paddington - Old Oak West Jn - Greenford West Jn - Gerrards Cross - Princes Risborough - Bicester North - Aynho Jn - Banbury - Leamington Spa - Warwick - Hatton West Jn - Bearley Jn - Stratford-upon-Avon
6024 Stratford-upon-Avon - (reverse of outward route) - approx 1.5 miles from London Paddington (2)
47847 (2) approx 1.5 miles from London Paddington - London Paddington

Notes :
(1) Operated jointly with InterCity and SLOA in association with Regional Railways. Off train option of a guided bus tour of Stratford-upon-Avon (payable on the day, on the bus).
(2) Jeff Hawken comments: On the return, we were just on the approach to Paddington when there was an enormous bang, and the train was covered in a shower of boiling water. We came to a stop 1.5 miles from Paddington. The safety valve cover had been ripped from the top of the boiler as we passed under a bridge, so the contents of the boiler were showered onto the train. People in the nearby flats thought there had been an explosion (which was fair enough), so the police and fire engines were soon on the scene – and were able to get some water into the boiler to save it from burning. After some considerable delay (during which time Paddington was blocked), 47847 came to the rescue and hauled us into Paddington with 2 hours delay. The problem was caused by some tamping having taken place under the offending bridge overnight, raising the track. Unfortunately this put the King out of gauge, and the rim of the safety valve cover caught on the underside of the overbridge.

Sources : Tony Jakeman, Jeff Hawken & John Leszczynski

Timings (Booked Only)
(from Jeff Hawken)

Location Booked (out) Booked (rtn)
Paddington 08.50d 19.52a
Gerrards Cross ??.??a ~ 08.36d 19.13a ~ ??.??d
Banbury ??w?? ~ ??w?? ??w?? ~ ??w??
Warwick 12.21a ~ ??.??d ??.??a ~ 16.17d
Stratford-upon-Avon 12.48a 15.50d


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