Steam Engine Pauses At Guildford On Its Way To Worcester

Published on: 26 Sep, 2015
Updated on: 29 Sep, 2015

A steam train special excursion stopped at Guildford on Thursday (September 24) on its way to Worcester.

B1 class loco 61306, Mayflower with a good head of steam storms ‘up the bank’ at Pinks Hill, Wood Street Village after departing from Guildford for Worcester on Thursday morning, September 24. Picture by David Rose.

The Cathedrals Express, operated by Steam Dreams of Albury, was hauled by former London & North Eastern Railway B1 class locomotive, 61306, Mayflower, built in 1946.

The locomotive waits to depart from Guildford station. Colour pictures by Bob McShee.

It was the last B1 in British Railways’ service, being withdrawn in 1967. It was restored to mainline service this year and has been in regular use on steam specials.

Pullman car.

One of the coaches used on the trip was a Pullman car built in 1960, believed to be the only authentic Pullman car in service today.

After leaving Guildford the train travelled, via Reading, Didcot and Oxford, to Worcester where passengers had four hours to visit the city.

Worcester Cathedral.

Bob McShee who was on the train said: “At Worcester we first visited the cathedral, parts of which date back to the 11th and early 12th century.  The cathedral has many attractions which include King John’s tomb and St Wulfstan’s crypt. Composer Sir Edward Elgar, who was born just outside Worcester, performed at the cathedral many times at the Three Choirs Festival concerts.

“The case of the cathedral’s historic transept organ was designed by Sir Gilbert Scott and the instrument dates back to 1874.

The locomotive at Worcester pictured with the old style semaphore signals still in use.

“Worcester Shrub Hill station has a unique set of semaphore signals rarely seen on the railway network today. These signals control the junction of tracks leading to Birmingham and Leominster.

“The train departed from Worcester at 4pm and returned to Guildford at 8pm, before continuing its journey via Redhill and Clapham Junction to London Victoria.”

Steam Dreams is planning to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday next year by running a series of trips which will be hauled by former London, Midland & Scottish Railway loco No. 6201, Princess Elizabeth. It was was named after her when she was a young girl.

Also next year, the world famous Flying Scotsman locomotive returns to steam after almost a decade away from the mainline.

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