Retro Railtour to Stratford-Upon-Avon - Saturday 22nd August

[Isle of Mull]

>(with connections for Manchester available – but not included in the fare)

Is this just a clarification of setting down at Stoke and other connections? Really nice railtour, I'm pondering hitting this and the Avon Gorgeous up back to back if my bank can take it.

Retro just announced a new tour to stratford-upon-avon with 2 class 37s if you would prefer that

 

[xotGD]

Retro just announced a new tour to stratford-upon-avon with 2 class 37s if you would prefer that

Any idea who will be supplying the pair of 37s?

 

[DiddyKongRacin]

Retro just announced a new tour to stratford-upon-avon with 2 class 37s if you would prefer that

Saw this when I was looking at it earlier, might be a good shout! I could do all three though

 

[Isle of Mull]

Any idea who will be supplying the pair of 37s?

Possibly WCR or ROG?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Jun 2026 ==

Any idea who will be supplying the pair of 37s?

Retro confirmed its EPR

 

[Forty29]

First class in ex inter- city air con stock sounds expensive at at £240, double that of standard class. Quoted as padded seats( probably a curtain) representing the "golden age of travel".
Only a buffet for the price.

 

[theblackwatch]

First class in ex inter- city air con stock sounds expensive at at £240, double that of standard class. Quoted as padded seats( probably a curtain) representing the "golden age of travel".
Only a buffet for the price.

But compares similar to UK Railtours (one of the few other remaining fully independent tour promoters) who are charging £249 for first class non-dining on a tour of theirs the same day. There is, I believe, only one FO vehicle on the Retro tour, so I suspect First Class is more likely to sell out that standard, even at £240.

 

[Harpo]

The Stratford tour could do with some routing info. There are multiple ways of getting from Chester to Stratford and back to Hereford and a route is what makes the difference between a tour and an excursion for me. (Vintage Trains could learn this too.)

If Retro hasn’t nailed the routing down with its train operator, it’s only got an excursion.

 

[xotGD]

The Stratford tour could do with some routing info. There are multiple ways of getting from Chester to Stratford and back to Hereford and a route is what makes the difference between a tour and an excursion for me. (Vintage Trains could learn this too.)

If Retro hasn’t nailed the routing down with its train operator, it’s only got an excursion.

It's not an excursion with a pair of 37s on the front.

 

[Rail Ranger]

It's topped and tailed with 37s (from Europhoenix).

 

[theblackwatch]

As posted by Retro on Facebook, the planned route is:

It’s Chester - Wolverhampton via Crewe and Salop, Wolverhampton to Stratford via Birmingham NS and Dorridge. Then Stratford to Hereford via Wythall/ Stourbridge, Hereford to Chester via Crewe, then Chester to Staly as per the outward.

Hopefully this gives people an idea of the proposed routing, although do bear in mind that these things sometimes get altered due to NR pathing etc.

 

[LRV3004]

Just heard that apparently EPR have ceased trading as of yesterday (K&WVR have published a post saying 37407 won’t attend the upcoming diesel gala as a result but 37218 will still go). If this is indeed the case, then what will haul the Retro tour?

 

[Isle of Mull]

Just heard that apparently EPR have ceased trading as of yesterday (K&WVR have published a post saying 37407 won’t attend the upcoming diesel gala as a result but 37218 will still go). If this is indeed the case, then what will haul the Retro tour?

I would be surprised if that is the case, ROG 37s maybe

 

[LRV3004]

I would be surprised if that is the case, ROG 37s maybe

I’ve heard since that the locos are still available for spot-hire, so the tour MIGHT still use EPR 37s possibly?

 

[43096]

I would be surprised if that is the case, ROG 37s maybe

I’ve heard since that the locos are still available for spot-hire, so the tour MIGHT still use EPR 37s possibly?

Rather more fundamentally, who is the replacement train operator?

 

[Rail Ranger]

It was always Hanson and Hall.

 

[Forty29]

Just heard that apparently EPR have ceased trading as of yesterday (K&WVR have published a post saying 37407 won’t attend the upcoming diesel gala as a result but 37218 will still go). If this is indeed the case, then what will haul the Retro tour?

That's unfortunate. Was looking forward to 407 as sounds great!

 

[Rail Ranger]

A new add-on to this tour:

Stratford Blue bus tour

In partnership with Transport Museum Wythall we are adding an exclusive option to the Retro Cestrian Bard with a 1950s vintage bus tour of Stratford upon Avon. On arrival in Stratford we transfer directly from the train to board an original Stratford Blue Motor Services Leyland double decker bus to take a one-hour tour of Stratford. On route we pass a number of the town's highlights including Anne Hathaway's cottage, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Shakespeare's birthplace, the River Avon and more. This exclusive tour is restricted to just 50 seats and is only available to Retro Railtours ticket holders. Please note that this is not a guided tour with commentary, you will receive information on the sights that we pass on the route. You can either alight back at the station, or in the centre of Stratford where you will have a couple of hours to explore before the return train departs. There are a limited number of bus tickets available, so pre-booking is essential. The bus ticket costs £27 per person, and the fare goes towards the ongoing upkeep of the vintage buses at the museum - you can purchase the add on Here

 

[Rail Ranger]

There has been a change of route for the return journey. A path is not available via Hereford at the time requested. The return journey will now be via Bordesley Junction, St Andrews Junction, Castle Bromwich Junction, the Sutton Park line, Walsall (reverse), Bloxwich, Rugeley, Stafford and Crewe to Chester. Then set downs as advertised to Stalybridge.

 

[Harpo]

There has been a change of route for the return journey. A path is not available via Hereford at the time requested. The return journey will now be via Bordesley Junction, St Andrews Junction, Castle Bromwich Junction, the Sutton Park line, Walsall (reverse), Bloxwich, Rugeley, Stafford and Crewe to Chester. Then set downs as advertised to Stalybridge.

Any idea about the outward route after Chester?

 

[Rail Ranger]

The train reverses at Chester (Chester to Shrewsbury is closed for engineering work that day) then goes via Crewe, Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton, Birmingham New Street, Tyseley, Dorridge and Hatton North Junction to Stratford-upon-Avon.

 

[Harpo]

The train reverses at Chester (Chester to Shrewsbury is closed for engineering work that day) then goes via Crewe, Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton, Birmingham New Street, Tyseley, Dorridge and Hatton North Junction to Stratford-upon-Avon.

Thanks!

 

[Amos390]

Not sure how many of you have seen, but there is timetables out for this:
5Z37 Burton Ot Wetmore Yd -> Derby: (ECS) https://live.rail-record.co.uk/train.php?c=U89587&d=2026-08-22
1Z37 Derby -> Stalybridge (The 'empty' move outbound): https://live.rail-record.co.uk/train.php/?c=U89588&d=2026-08-22
1Z38 Stalybridge -> Stratford-Upon-Avon (Outbound): https://live.rail-record.co.uk/train.php/?c=U89589&d=2026-08-22
1Z39 Stratford-Upon-Avon -> Stalybridge (Return): https://live.rail-record.co.uk/train.php/?c=U89589&d=2026-08-22
1Z40 Stalybridge -> Derby (The 'empty' move return): https://live.rail-record.co.uk/train.php/?c=U89589&d=2026-08-22
5Z40 Derby -> Burton Ot Wetmore Yd (ECS): https://live.rail-record.co.uk/train.php/?c=U89592&d=2026-08-23

As for the locos, EPX have recently moved 37407, 901, 423 and 512 (however 512 has since returned to the mainline) back to Rectory Jn where all their locos are kept and maintained, however I do believe they will still have all locos available for spot-hire so will no doubt be able to run the tour with any of their locos, of which the ones at Rectory Jn are now 37218/407/423/611/901 I believe, so hopefully any 2 of those will be on it.

 

[Rail Ranger]

Many thanks for these timings. You have posted the outward timings twice. Can you post the return timings from Stratford to Stalybridge?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jul 2026 ==

I've found the return timings: https://live.rail-record.co.uk/train.php?c=U89590&d=2026-08-22
I see the train runs via Stoke on the return journey.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Jul 2026 ==

The Retro Railtours website has been updated with the change of route on the return leg and the final timings.

 

[Rail Ranger]

Retro Railtours have sent out an email today. Two major issues with the Retro Cestrian Bard. The locomotive hire fee has been increased significantly by a new locomotive owner and a lack of bookings. They are now providing a free bus from Leeds, Brighouse and Huddersfield stations to connect with the tour at Stalybridge. Details of the bus can be found here: https://retrorailtours.co.uk/rt26.php
Decision day on whether the tour runs is Wednesday 5th August.

 

[LRV3004]

“The locomotive hire fee has been increased significantly by a new locomotive owner”

Makes me wonder if the owners are doing this to make ends meet or if it’s just plain greed…….also wonder if another operator of 37s, such as WCRC, would be willing to step in for the original hire price quoted…..

 

[Amos390]

The locomotive hire fee has been increased significantly by a new locomotive owner

Presuming this would mean they were planning on using Europhoenix locos seen as they have just been acquired by DBI Holdings, shame that this has caused an increase in price for the locos though.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Aug 2026 ==

Retro Railtours have sent out an email today. Two major issues with the Retro Cestrian Bard. The locomotive hire fee has been increased significantly by a new locomotive owner and a lack of bookings. They are now providing a free bus from Leeds, Brighouse and Huddersfield stations to connect with the tour at Stalybridge. Details of the bus can be found here: https://retrorailtours.co.uk/rt26.php
Decision day on whether the tour runs is Wednesday 5th August.

Seen as today is the 5th and I cannot seem to find anything on Retro Railtours website saying the tour is canned, is it still going ahead or will that decision be determined later today?

 

[Rail Ranger]

Later today.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Aug 2026 ==

Just received an email. The train is running. They need to sell a few more seats to reach break even.

 

[jfollows]

Important Tour Update



Last week, we emailed our regular customers to advise that it was somewhat touch-and-go as to whether our Retro Cestrian Bard tour would operate. Running charter trains is incredibly challenging these days, with rising costs - which unfortunately mean increased fares. In 18 years of running trains, we've never cancelled a train due to low bookings, and thankfully because of your support we are keeping that record going....



That said, we still need to sell a few seats to break even on our Retro Cestrian Bard tour, so if you, or anyone you know fancies coming along - please do book now! This may be your last opportunity to sample a Retro Railtours' service for a little while. We're considering making 2027 a fallow year, whilst we concentrate on a couple of other railway related projects. We do, however, plan to be back in 2028 - which will be our 20th anniversary year. We will of course keep you posted via our mailing list and on the website - but some exciting plans are afoot.



A number of our regular passengers in the West Yorkshire area have advised they have been unable to book this time as getting to Stalybridge is difficult due to the Transpennine Route Upgrade. We have arranged a dedicated Rail Replacement bus for passengers from Leeds, Brighouse and Huddersfield. Details of this bus can be found on the tour page here

It is a free service for anyone booked on the tour, and we hope it will encourage some of our regular West Yorkshire passengers to book. If there are any delays on the return journey, the bus will wait until the railtour has arrived into Stalybridge - so you will not be left stranded! The bus will then drop you off in the evening. If you have already booked on the train and would like to use the bus service, please let us know by email so we have an idea of numbers.



We will still be raising funds for the Forget me Not Hospice on the train.



Retro Cestrian Bard tour on Saturday 22nd August. This trip will commence at Derby*, before calling at Stalybridge Reddish South, Stockport, Altrincham, Knutsford, Northwich and Chester. This is the first charter along the Mid Cheshire Route in nearly 10 years - so a rare opportunity for loco-haulage. We will then take you to the delightful home of Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon. You will have just over three hours to explore the town, perhaps visit Shakespeare's birthplace, or a take a boat ride along the picturesque River Avon. We are also offering a vintage 'Stratford Blue' bus tour provided by a 1950s Leyland double decker from Transport Museum Wythall. Pre-booking is essential. You can book this via our booking page.



The train will now return via the usually freight only Sutton Park route, and the Walsall to Bloxwich Chase Line. Network Rail were unable to accommodate our original route via Hereford, but we hope this alternative via a rare piece of track will prove popular.



Details, including fares and catering information and our online booking system can be found here



As a thank you for being a valued customer, you can get 10% off any additional seats on the Retro Cestrian Bard tour using the discount code Retro10



We look forward to seeing many of you onboard!

 

[xotGD]

Any news on which 37s it will be? I'm presuming a pair of /4s?

 

[LRV3004]

Any news on which 37s it will be? I'm presuming a pair of /4s?

37407+37423 apparently rumoured.