The summer of live steam in Warwickshire is set to continue this weekend as the 'Mad Hatters Tea Party' express passes through the county.

Operated by Vintage Trains, the special is the next edition in a series of excursions that will see live steam on the local main line until the end of August.

The last three Sundays have seen 'The William Shakespeare' pass through Warwickshire - albeit the last two have been diesel-hauled due to a network-wide steam ban due to the hot weather.

But Vintage Trains is still expecting No. 7029 Clun Castle to pull the special this Sunday (July 31).

As with previous outings, the express will actually make four trips through the county as it makes the return journey from Birmingham Snow Hill to Stratford-on-Avon twice.

On each southbound journey the train will pass through Henley-in-Arden and will return north through Hatton on both occasions.

Promoted by Vintage Trains, fares for the special start at £30, and it will be repeated on August 7.

A statement on the company's website said: "You are invited to come along and join Alice in this unique experience, as you step through the train keyhole into wonderland.

advertisement

"Step on-board our famous steam train at Stratford-upon-Avon on Sundays July 31 and August 7. There will be Alice, the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts and all sorts of other exciting people joining you for the journey.

"Mad Hatters Tea of sandwiches and cakes is served at your seat (to both children and adults)."

As with previous weeks the train is expected to depart from Birmingham for the first time at 10am and reach Henley at 10.45am.

It will then return from Stratford at 12.52pm and pass through Hatton west junction at 1.09pm according to Real Time Trains.

Spotters who missed the first journey can arrive at Henley to see it pass again at 2.52pm before it makes its final pass through Hatton at 4.32pm.

The website added: "This train is scheduled to be pulled by our historic steam locomotive No. 7029 Clun Castle, a record breaking steam engine with burnished brass and copperwork setting off her glamorous green paintwork.

"The trip is a great way for the kids to have a superb time and learn about the past."

advertisement

The regular express is one of a number of steam specials that have travelled through Warwickshire this year, including a visit from Flying Scotsman in March.

Exact timings can be found here.

(Header images by Andrew Abbot via geograph.org.uk and by (inset) Sean McGrath via Flickr)