After conquering the challenges of Shap and the Settle and Carlisle line at the end of March, in July, Jubilee Class No 45596 Bahamas is set to explore the northern banks of the Bristol Channel.
On Saturday 29th March, Bahamas was unassisted when it hauled The Shap Mountaineer from Birmingham to Carlisle via the West Coast Main Line and stormed over Shap summit at speeds recorded by those on the train at between 37-40 mph, among the fastest recorded by a Jubilee on this route.
On Saturday, 5th July, Bahamas will have a different challenge when it hauls Vintage Trains’ “The Cathedrals Express” via the Lickey incline from Birmingham New Street to Swansea.
The Lickey incline is Britain’s steepest main line gradient, and in steam days, northbound trains used to have up to four banking engines assisting them from Bromsgrove to Blackwell.
From Birmingham, Bahamas will stop to pick up passengers at Barnt Green at 9:20 am, Worcestershire Parkway at 9:40 am, Cheltenham at 10:10 am, and Gloucester at 10:30 am.
It then follows the banks of the Severn Estuary to Chepstow, where it crosses into Wales and follows the northern banks of the Bristol Channel via Newport and Cardiff, and arrives at Swansea at 12:40.
The return journey departs from Swansea at 17:00 arriving at Gloucester at 19:00, Cheltenham at 19:20, and Worcestershire Parkway at 19:45 before ascending the Lickey incline to arrive at Barnt Green at 20:45 and Birmingham New Street at 21:05.
Adult tickets cost £115 in Tourist Class, £225 in First Class, and £325 in Pullman Class.
In October 2024, Bahamas took a different type of rail tour when it travelled from Derby to Stratford-on-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
“We are delighted to be able to confirm Bahamas for The Cathedrals Express to Swansea, following its storming run over Shap and the Settle & Carlisle on 29th March. Once again we would like to thank the Bahamas Locomotive Society for allowing us the use of their locomotive and look forward to running with her again in July.”
A Vintage Trains spokesperson
Responses
Annoying for us . Much as we love 45596 the point of doing the train was the rare opportunity of having a Castle out of Swansea. It won’t be a challenge for the Jub as it’s not unassisted train. There will be serious shoving from the diesel up the Lickey.