GWR Route: Stratford on Avon to Honeybourne

Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse Platform: gwr_src1455

Taken just prior to the day that the new Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse Platform opened, on Saturday 6th May 1933. The first Steeplechase Race was at 3pm on that day. Special race excursion trains were arranged for this date and for a fortnight later (20th May 1933) when the second Steeplechase Race of the Season was being run. On these dates at least two race excursion trains ran from Birmingham, one from Leamington and another from Wolverhampton which also had connections from Stourbridge. The 550 foot long platforms could accommodate eight coaches. It is understand that the procedure was for the race excursion trains to unload their passengers at the Racecourse Platform and then proceed empty to either Long Marston or Stratford stations (depending on direction of travel), where they would wait until the return journeys were required. There were often several excursion trains waiting at these stations.

Robert Ferris

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