McLaren Rail

[LUYMun]

McLaren Rail, a new start up company, are planning to run a series of railtours named “the Shakespeare Express” between London Marylebone and Stratford upon Avon, quoted to be on five Saturdays throughout 2026 starting on 11 April. They will be using ROMIC’s HST fleet and fares start at £129 per person which includes an entry to Shakespeare’s Birthplace. They are advertised on Adventure 001 Experiences website.

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Shakespeare Express

The Experience​

• Approx 11 Hours
• Can be taken at London Marylebone, Greater London

Experience the magic of Stratford-upon-Avon in style and comfort with our exclusive charter package from London Marylebone
to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

Step aboard a modern locomotive, where spacious seating, elegant interiors and smooth travel redefine luxury rail. Sit back and relax as the English countryside unfolds outside your window, and enjoy refreshments served on board.

Upon arrival in Stratford-upon-Avon, step into history with priority entry to Shakespeare’s Birthplace, the beautifully preserved home where the world’s greatest playwright first drew inspiration. Wander through interactive exhibits and atmospheric rooms that bring his story to life.

After your visit, enjoy leisure time to explore Stratford at your own pace.

This curated experience combines effortless travel, cultural discovery, and refined comfort, making it the perfect escape day out.

The Package​

•⁠ Luxury return Intercity 125 Charter train from London Marylebone to Stratford Upon Avon
•⁠ Entry to Shakespeare’s Birthplace
•⁠ Refreshments served on board (Extra Cost)
•⁠ Leisure time to explore Stratford
• Services run on five selected Saturdays each year, starting from 11th April.
•⁠ Preferential Offers

Looking on the Adventures 001 website they also advertise a series of railtours also using the HSTs on Sundays to/from Oxford: https://www.adventure001.com/Activi...-Rail-Charters/152/Oxford-Rail-Explorer/LOC02

Oxford Rail Explorer​

The Experience​

• Approx 9 Hours
• Can be taken at London Marylebone, Greater London

Experience the best of historic Oxford in comfort and style with our Exclusive Charter Train package from London Marylebone to Oxford.

Step aboard a modern Intercity locomotive featuring spacious seating, elegant interiors, and smooth, comfortable travel, perfect for a premium day trip to Oxford. Relax as you glide through the scenic English countryside, with refreshments available to enjoy on board.

Upon arrival in Oxford, begin your journey with priority entry to Christ Church, one of the city’s most iconic colleges and filming locations for Harry Potter. Explore its magnificent architecture, grand halls, and beautifully preserved grounds, immersing yourself in centuries of academic and cultural heritage.

After your visit, enjoy leisure time to discover Oxford at your own pace. wander the historic streets, explore museums, browse independent shops, or visit the city’s famous colleges.

The Package​

• Luxury return Intercity 125 charter train from London Marylebone to Oxford
• Entry to Christ Church College
• Optional refreshments available to purchase on board
• Leisure time to explore Oxford at your own pace
• Services operate on five selected Sundays each year, starting from 12th April
• Exclusive preferential offers included
• First Class Upgrade can be purchased, subject to availability.

McLaren Rail are also the current owners of 47367 and D1501, preserved on the Chinnor Railway. Their website: https://www.mclarenrail.co.uk/

 

[Iskra]

A correction: Single Fares start at £25! (On the also advertised positioning moves)

 

[D6130]

Step aboard a modern locomotive, where spacious seating....

Are they planning to remove the engine, generators and cooling groups from one of the power cars and replace them with first class seating?

 

[Class73Electro]

Step aboard a modern locomotive, where spacious seating....

Are they planning to remove the engine, generators and cooling groups from one of the power cars and replace them with first class seating?

That would be... pretty interesting! I 'm sure the bike / luggage area was in the loco? that could be two seats!

Could an HST run with just one power car

 

[The exile]

That would be... pretty interesting! I 'm sure the bike / luggage area was in the loco? that could be two seats!

Could an HST run with just one power car

… working, yes. Happened frequently. Physically present, not sure.

 

[theblackwatch]

Given how even well-established promoters seem to struggle with filling trains, in particular at the standard class end of the market, it will be interesting to see how these do.

 

[The exile]

There’s a large pool of London-based tourists “doing” England for whom both Oxford and Stratford will be on the bucket list. Unfortunately Stonehenge is rather lacking in railway facilities!

 

[D6130]

There’s a large pool of London-based tourists “doing” England for whom both Oxford and Stratford will be on the bucket list. Unfortunately Stonehenge is rather lacking in railway facilities!

Coach transfer from Salisbury or Pewsey?

 

[xotGD]

Step aboard a modern locomotive, where spacious seating....

Are they planning to remove the engine, generators and cooling groups from one of the power cars and replace them with first class seating?

"Modern", well I suppose so, compared to Stephenson's Rocket.

Meanwhile at Marylebone the real modern train will be sitting in the adjacent platform on a service to Birmingham.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

A correction: Single Fares start at £25! (On the also advertised positioning moves)

Well looks to be £29 for 1 person, £50 for 2.

If I lived in Birmingham I'd absolutely be considering a weekend in London using the HST.

 

[LUYMun]

Meanwhile at Marylebone the real modern train will be sitting in the adjacent platform on a service to Birmingham.

Even better yet would be a loco-hauled Class 68: a £40 return ticket offering better value for money with 200 miles of shovage.

 

[50039]

They are also offering driving experiences with one of the 47s on the C&PR Railway at much lower prices than the established providers..

 

[Forty29]

Step aboard a modern locomotive, where spacious seating....

Are they planning to remove the engine, generators and cooling groups from one of the power cars and replace them with first class seating?

That made me chuckle too. Living near Bicester be interesting to observe. How long have the class 47's been at Chinnor or is that 47715's original numbers?

 

[172007]

The name is very simular to Vintage Trains "The Shakespeare Express".

It appears Vintage Trains don't have it trademarked but i wonder if a conversation with lawyers has already taken place.

 

[HOOVER29]

They are also offering driving experiences with one of the 47s on the C&PR Railway at much lower prices than the established providers..

Looks very interesting
No coaches hauled but not a bad price

 

[168lover]

That made me chuckle too. Living near Bicester be interesting to observe. How long have the class 47's been at Chinnor or is that 47715's original numbers?

Chinnor now 3 47s, two of which are owned by Adventure 001. 715 is owned seperately by Rail Engineering Solutions

 

[matt]

The name is very simular to Vintage Trains "The Shakespeare Express".

It appears Vintage Trains don't have it trademarked but i wonder if a conversation with lawyers has already taken place.

It is a trade mark owned by Vintage Trains https://trademarks.ipo.gov.uk/ipo-tmcase/page/Results/1/UK00003040515

Status:
Registered
Mark text:
SHAKESPEARE EXPRESS

 

[trainswitheddy]

… working, yes. Happened frequently. Physically present, not sure.

I've seen a video of a GNER HST running solo somewhere.
Edit: As in...one powercar with a 9(?) carriage set behind it and no powercar trailing.

 

[D365]

Even better yet would be a loco-hauled Class 68: a £40 return ticket offering better value for money with 200 miles of shovage.

A loco-hauled Class 68? As opposed to..?

 

[LUYMun]

A loco-hauled Class 68? As opposed to..?

HST railtour for treble the price to Stratford or Oxford? Am I not clear enough?

 

[43096]

I've seen a video of a GNER HST running solo somewhere.
Edit: As in...one powercar with a 9(?) carriage set behind it and no powercar trailing.

Yes, it would happen particularly if there was a power car shortage/failure at Neville Hill. The 0710 Leeds-Aberdeen would start from York (empty from NL) with a single power car leading the Mark 3s and a tail lamp on the rear trailer. At Edinburgh, Craigentinny would provide a power car to attached to the rear during the station stop.

 

[frankmoh]

So is it £129 or £25 pounds for a single? I'm confused.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

So is it £129 or £25 pounds for a single? I'm confused.

£129 for the return tour to Straford-upon-Avon, £29 for a single on the positioning move (Birmingham New Street <-> Marylebone)

 

[anothertyke]

£129 for the return tour to Straford-upon-Avon, £29 for a single on the positioning move (Birmingham New Street <-> Marylebone)

The positioning move is on a Fri pm from B'ham and Sun pm from London.

 

[trainswitheddy]

Yes, it would happen particularly if there was a power car shortage/failure at Neville Hill. The 0710 Leeds-Aberdeen would start from York (empty from NL) with a single power car leading the Mark 3s and a tail lamp on the rear trailer. At Edinburgh, Craigentinny would provide a power car to attached to the rear during the station stop.

Sounds brilliant. Great inspiration for modelling too...

 

[Otis]

That made me chuckle too. Living near Bicester be interesting to observe. How long have the class 47's been at Chinnor or is that 47715's original numbers?

47367 arrived mid August.
D1502 was early September I think.

47367 is a bit rough, and may only turn out to be a source of spares, D1502 is in better condition (it was in use this weekend), but the last I heard it had a few electrical issues requiring attention.

 

[168lover]

47367 arrived mid August.
D1502 was early September I think.

47367 is a bit rough, and may only turn out to be a source of spares, D1502 is in better condition (it was in use this weekend), but the last I heard it had a few electrical issues requiring attention.

Electrical issues are all ironed out on D1501, I was crew on it last weekend and it didn't skip a beat all day, very nice powerful loco

 

[Tetragon213]

That would be... pretty interesting! I 'm sure the bike / luggage area was in the loco? that could be two seats!

Could an HST run with just one power car

Iirc, HSTs with one power car was indeed the plan for WoEML services to replace the 50s, before the Class 159 came along.

 

[D6130]

Iirc, HSTs with one power car was indeed the plan for WoEML services to replace the 50s, before the Class 159 came along.

Presumably with some sort of driving trailer at the other end?

 

[rustbucket]

47367 arrived mid August.
D1502 was early September I think.

47367 is a bit rough, and may only turn out to be a source of spares, D1502 is in better condition (it was in use this weekend), but the last I heard it had a few electrical issues requiring attention.

Wheelsets are the biggest problem on 367 - that's why it was OOS at the Mid Norfolk, the engine block /lump itself is in good shape