Railway Herald
The Shakespeare Limited was a popular BR excursion train in the mid-eighties, running on no less than 18 dates in 1986 and some dates featuring two trains with perhaps different routings. These specials were usually Pacific-hauled but King Arthur Class 4-6-0 No. 777 'SIR LAMIEL' was also scheduled - a tough task for a Class 5 loco. On 8th June 1986 the loco was running comfortably enough down the gradient towards High Wycombe on the outbound run to Stratford-on-Avon, although it was failed at Banbury on the return being replaced by LNER A4 Pacific No. 4498 'Sir Nigel Gresley'.
Tonybee
