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

[xotGD]

37407+37423 apparently rumoured.

Thanks. No surprise there then.

 

[mark1484]

Has this tour been confirmed now deadline day has passed?

 

[Rail Ranger]

Yes the tour is running.

 

[mark1484]

Yes the tour is running.

Thanks, same 37s as mentioned above?

 

[Rail Ranger]

As far as I know.

 

[yorkie]

Is anyone on here on this railtour, or has photographed/seen it, or doing so later today? (I know of a couple who are, but anyone else?)

I see it arrived 32 late at Stratford-upon-Avon.

 

[Rail Ranger]

Yes I'm on it.

 

[ExRes]

Is anyone on here on this railtour, or has photographed/seen it, or doing so later today? (I know of a couple who are, but anyone else?)

I see it arrived 32 late at Stratford-upon-Avon.

Reported as a brake problem with 37423, 1Z39 showing as at platform for a 1554 departure

 

[Rail Ranger]

Left Stratford on time.

 

[neil65]

37407 Blackpool Tower & 37423 Perseus with 'The Cestrian Bard' at Stalybridge and Crewe on Saturday 22nd August

Stalybridge, Crewe & Chester Saturday 22nd August 2026 - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Stalybridge, Crewe & Chester Saturday 22nd August 2026 - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Stalybridge, Crewe & Chester Saturday 22nd August 2026 - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Stalybridge, Crewe & Chester Saturday 22nd August 2026 - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Neil

 

[HOOVER29]

37407 Blackpool Tower & 37423 Perseus with 'The Cestrian Bard' at Stalybridge and Crewe on Saturday 22nd August

Stalybridge, Crewe & Chester Saturday 22nd August 2026 - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Stalybridge, Crewe & Chester Saturday 22nd August 2026 - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Stalybridge, Crewe & Chester Saturday 22nd August 2026 - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Stalybridge, Crewe & Chester Saturday 22nd August 2026 - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Neil

Neil you must’ve been stood literally next to me at Crewe for the photos.
Highlights for me were 37407. That livery looked so right on 407, not so keen on 423’s livery.
Also 86259 Les Ross looked superb as usual & did you see the man himself in the cab?
Was like you going to do the 50 tour at Chester but couldn’t be bothered due to the Chester races crowds at Crewe.
My train turned up late with two class 158’s which was quite busy.
Then there was the 150 or so people on the platform to go on too so I stayed at Crewe
Did 50050 at the North Norfolk rail & ale festival so wasn’t too bothered

Not a bad day though with plenty to keep us occupied

 

[Amos390]

Neil you must’ve been stood literally next to me at Crewe for the photos.
Highlights for me were 37407. That livery looked so right on 407, not so keen on 423’s livery.
Also 86259 Les Ross looked superb as usual & did you see the man himself in the cab?
Was like you going to do the 50 tour at Chester but couldn’t be bothered due to the Chester races crowds at Crewe.
My train turned up late with two class 158’s which was quite busy.
Then there was the 150 or so people on the platform to go on too so I stayed at Crewe
Did 50050 at the North Norfolk rail & ale festival so wasn’t too bothered

Not a bad day though with plenty to keep us occupied

Sounds like both you had the same idea as me, sadly missed the Cestrian going off as I was too busy with the 86/37 changeover (although I didn’t hear much from the 37s on departure, was it a good one), I did make it to Chester for the tour with the 50 (and also made it there for its return with the 40 powering) and I’m glad I did, very much worth ramming onto a 3-car 197 that could’ve easily filled another carriage or 2. Was also one of the lucky people who were allowed to have a look around some of the locos. All in all though the turnout at Crewe was amazing, platforms were rammed for people waiting on the tours, and same at Chester too, was very much an enjoyable day out.

Attached pics of 40013, 86259, 50050 cab, 86259 cab, 86259 and 37407 side-by-side, 37669, 37423, 50050 and 37407.

 

[neil65]

Neil you must’ve been stood literally next to me at Crewe for the photos.
Highlights for me were 37407. That livery looked so right on 407, not so keen on 423’s livery.
Also 86259 Les Ross looked superb as usual & did you see the man himself in the cab?
Was like you going to do the 50 tour at Chester but couldn’t be bothered due to the Chester races crowds at Crewe.
My train turned up late with two class 158’s which was quite busy.
Then there was the 150 or so people on the platform to go on too so I stayed at Crewe
Did 50050 at the North Norfolk rail & ale festival so wasn’t too bothered

Not a bad day though with plenty to keep us occupied

I got lucky going to Chester I got the 2 Avanti 805’s in the last coach were loads of empty seats, but yes it was a enjoyable day out, 6am off Huddersfield to see the 2 37’s at Stalybridge, I left Chester before the 37 hauled units arrived