Photo: Rob Hodgkins, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsA revival of a short-lived Western Region express, with two Tyseley Castles double-heading from Bristol over the South Devon banks to Plymouth.
The Mayflower takes its name from a short-lived British Railways Western Region express that ran at the end of the steam era. Vintage Trains revives it as a working that enthusiasts rarely see: two Castle class locomotives sharing the load on one of the toughest stretches of main line in the country.
The train leaves Birmingham Snow Hill behind a diesel and picks up at Stourbridge Junction, Droitwich Spa, Worcester Shrub Hill, Cheltenham Spa, Bristol Parkway and Bristol Temple Meads. At Bristol, 7029 Clun Castle and 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe take over for the run to Plymouth and back, unassisted by diesel, along the Dawlish sea wall and over the South Devon banks.
Standard, First Class (light breakfast and afternoon tea) and Pullman Dining (full English breakfast and four-course dinner) are offered in Vintage Trains' 1960s coaches and original Pullman cars.
The Exe estuary, the Dawlish sea wall and the Teign estuary are all on the left heading west from Exeter.
Sides are given facing the direction of travel. Miles are approximate from the start of the journey.
| Date | From | Traction | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 20 Mar 2027 06:10 |
Birmingham Snow Hill Diesel Birmingham to Bristol; double-headed Castles Bristol to Plymouth and back. |
7029 Clun Castle and 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe (double-headed from Bristol) | On sale |
No. A diesel works the train from Birmingham to Bristol; the two Castles take over from Bristol to Plymouth and back.
The operator lists Saturday 20 March 2027, departing Birmingham Snow Hill at 06:10.
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