The Worcester Steam Express

Why not join us for a classic day out by steam train that combines exciting main line running with varied landscapes enroute to Worcester. The Worcester Steam Express will be steam hauled from Norwich to Worcester by Black 5 steam locomotive No. 44871 and from Worcester as far as Leicester on the return.

Our day out begins early in the morning when we leave Norwich Station, hauled by Black 5 44871, and cross the Trowse swing bridge over the River Wensum. We then stop to pick up more passengers at Thetford. Approaching Ely we take the avoiding line that curves very sharply round onto the Peterborough line. We stop at March for further passengers, before continuing to Peterborough, our final pick up point.

We now follow the cross country line through Stamford, a town of outstanding architectural and historic interest that is of national importance. The town has over 600 listed buildings, more than half of the total for the County of Lincolnshire. We continue westwards and pass Rutland Water towards Oakham, the small county town of Rutland. Entering Leicestershire, we run through Melton Mowbray, famous for its pork pies, and head for Leicester. We follow the main line to London St Pancras for a while as far as Wigston Junction, where we branch off on the Nuneaton and Birmingham line.

Crossing the West Coast main line, we now head towards Birmingham, although we will bypass the city by means of the Camp Hill line to Bromsgrove. Here, we leave the main line to Bristol and run via Droitwich to Worcester, where there will be time to visit the city centre.

There will be time to explore the fine city of Worcester. The river Severn runs through the city and is overlooked by the 12th century Worcester Cathedral. The site of the final battle of the Civil War between Oliver Cromwell and King Charles II was here. It is also the home of Royal Worcester Porcelain, and the birthplace of the composer Sir Edward Elgar is nearby at Lower Broadheath.

After servicing and turning our steam locomotive, we will make our way back to our earlier calling points to set down passengers. We will be diesel hauled from Leicester on the return leg back to Norwich.

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