[May 30, 2016] Gloucesteshire Warwickshire Railway "Swindon Built" Steam Gala (Gloucestershire)

To be honest it happens in a number of locations and not at crossings, been subject to stones being thrown by kids from an adjacent field at the KWVR in the past and also in various locations on NR.

 

Got back last night after 3 days at this gala, split the weekend with a full day of photography Saturday, bit of riding, bit of photography on the Sunday and then mainly riding Monday, can I just express how well organised I found this gala, a very good Timetable and all the locos got a decent amount of turns, 46521 was a serious winner with 7903 and 35006 very closely behind! The atmosphere at the stations (especially Winchcombe) was brilliant and there was a lot to keep you entertained between trains. Top marks for this gala and can't wait to see whats pulled out the bag for next year!
Oh and the departure of the 14 coach train from Cheltenham was something else.. Wont forget that any time soon!

 

Thank you for the kind comments. As a member of the 6 man organising committee it means a lot to see everyone go away happy. Apart from the ops manager , everyone is a volunteer and that makes it even more amazing. Our thanks must go to those people and esp the team working on 7903 who put in an incredible amount of work to get her to the ball. Initial figures show that we've had our best ever attendance.

 

hi andy,
i as wondering when you start planning the 2017 cotswold festival of steam.
as i might have some ideas for it.

 

My belated footage of 35006 working the 14 coach 'Mega Train' on Saturday. Seen accelerating away from Cheltenham at Kayte Lane Crossing.

 

Huge congratulations to the railway and the gala team for once again putting on a stellar event, one of the top events of the year without a doubt, already can't wait for next year! All the engines looked immaculate and put on some great performances. Here's my video of the event, with footage from Saturday and Monday, and a few photos from Monday.



4270 and 7812 'Erlestoke Manor' head along Dixton Cutting bound for Cheltenham.


46521 heads away from Gotherington towards Winchcombe.


7903 'Foremarke Hall' waits patiently for the road with its goods train at Gotherington.


92214 rolls into Gotherington with The Red Dragon.


35006 P&O arrives back at Toddington after a light engine move from Winchcombe.


46521 heads away from Toddington with the goods train.


The oldest and youngest operational Swindon built locos meet at Toddington as 92214 arrives with a train for Laverton, passing 2807 with a train for Cheltenham.


4270 shunts stock at Winchcombe at the end of the gala.

 

I've never missed this gala and this was the best yet. 7812, 7820, 4270, the 9F and 35006 gave some fantastic runs. The Ivatt and the Hall seemed a little tame when I went behind them on the Monday.

 

My footage of the Gala filmed on Sunday and Monday. Before you judge me, I had a lineside pass. Hope you enjoy.

 

Can only reflect what others have said, was a brilliant event, best in many years- P and O looked absolutely stunning and a great choice of visitors to accompany her.





Probably my best couple of photos, pretty pleased baring in mind its a very cheap camera )

 

I have to echo the comments made by others, this was an epic gala. Did all 3 days, took loads of pictures, a few of which I have put here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/djcs_trains/albums/72157666628361153

Some highlights for me were...

Seeing two manors double heading (now how about getting 7903 and 6990 together sometime?)


Seeing 2807 and 4270 pulling the goods as they were built to do


Getting some different views than I have done before with the Toddington facing locos


And of course the brakevan ride, which I saved for the Monday. Going through Greet tunnel in particular was quite the experience...

 

Shame to hear about thinks like this. I think the kids in small towns or villages can be as bad as those in bigger urban areas, maybe because there's not much for them to do in these quiet places and they get bored - NOT that is a good excuse. One of my other hobbies is orienteering, our local club does a race around Kenilworth every year. It's a fairly nice place, but every year we suffer from vandalism to the courses - both this year and last year we've lost a 'checkpoint' (control to use the proper terminology) which haven't been seen since. It's just mindless vandalism as they are just electronic boxes mounted on a stick which have no real value to anyone except orienteering clubs, and as it is specialised equipment it's not cheap to replace.

 

Unfortunately I could only manage a flying visit on the Sunday this year which was spent around Chicken curve and Dixton. Hope to pay another visit soon and have a ride behind P&O

Follow this link to have a browse through the few images I did manage to get............http://rickeborall.zenfolio.com/p373395730

Congratulations to all involved with running the gala. I don't imagine many people were disappointed.

Regards..........Rick

 

The event did well attract 4500 visitors the gwr seem to have got a lot right with the event but going to be hard to beat for next year.

 

That's an incredible number of people. It's very nearly as many as were at the SVR diesel gala.

 

What a miserable response.
Nothing like kicking a man when he's down! You must be proud of yourself.
He's already explained that he's going through a rough patch and that fifty quid is too much for him at present. If you can't understand that or sympathise then you must live a very sheltered life. Many of us will have been in similar situations from time to time and, as far as I am concerned, I'm only too happy to share the joy of the hobby (?) with people like acor, who will, no doubt, support us in either cash or kind when his situation improves.
I think you owe him an apology.

 

But more than the spring steam gala by around a 1000

 

A few shots from Sunday evenings photo charter run by 30742 charters. Thanks to Martin and the GWSR crews for a pleasant evening.https://stephenleek.smugmug.com/Railwayphotos-1/Ivatt-2-6-0-46521-on-the-GWSR/i-bm2VLJ2