Lickey Voyager: Bristol, Birmingham, Derby Drivers Eye View

Our journey begins at Bristol Temple Meads, where we board a five-car Virgin Trains Super Voyager working a long-distance service from Exeter to Newcastle. Departing the historic terminus, the train makes a brief call at Bristol Parkway before leaving the Great Western Main Line to follow the former Bristol & Gloucester Railway. Skirting the city of Gloucester via the south loop, we continue to Cheltenham Spa for the next scheduled stop.

From Cheltenham, the service stretches its legs as we run non-stop to Birmingham New Street. The highlight of this section is the climb over the legendary Lickey Incline, a two-mile ascent at 1 in 37¾ — the steepest gradient on any British main line. Our Voyager tackles the bank at speed, powering its way up the Lickey Hills before descending towards the West Midlands’ busiest station.

After a swift passage through Birmingham New Street, we continue north on the former Birmingham & Derby Junction Railway, accelerating to a top speed of 125 mph. Passing Tamworth and Burton-on-Trent without pause, the train maintains its brisk pace across rolling Midlands territory before arriving at Derby, long recognised as one of the most significant railway towns in Britain.

Alongside the cab-view footage, the history and character of this notable cross-country route are brought to life through narration by Alan Hardwick, well-known presenter from ITV’s Calendar. Filmed throughout under bright summer skies, this production delivers a clear, detailed and uninterrupted perspective on one of the key inter-regional rail corridors in the country.