GWSR Broadway Developments

Thanks! I particularly like the one of the crowd on the platform, with the benches in the background, the canopy overhead, etc. For all the things that didn't get done right, an awful lot more did; the results are absolutely spectacular! It's so hard to believe that there was nothing there a mere couple of years ago, that this is all new. The Broadway team should all take a deep bow, you all deserve a long standing ovation.

Noel

 

I thought they were 'freight cars' in America.

Too right! But just think how close it came to absolute disaster, with the B&Q canopy etc., I like to think a disaster avoided in no small part by the efforts and discussion of this forum.

 

But just think how close it came to absolute disaster, with the B&Q canopy etc., I like to think a disaster avoided in no small part by the efforts and discussion of this forum.


Hear. Hear! I hope the previous Project Management, responsible for that near disaster, are now witnessing the universal praise and approbation of this wonderful new station, that they so nearly sabotaged, and are hanging their heads in shame.

Well done to all Forum members who demanded and got something better.

And bang on schedule too, so there really was no need for expediency after all!

 

Perhaps the Broadway Volunteers also need substansial credit for sticking to their guns on the details. I'm sure that was much more effective than anything said on this forum. And before we are too critical of them at least eventually the "previous project management" had the courage to relent and change their mind.

David R

 

The webcam shows that crowds are already building on the platform.
http://broadwaystation.co.uk/camera/image11_1.jpg

 

http://broadwaystation.co.uk/camera/image11_1.jpg

Foremarke Hall ( I think) has just run around its coaches in Broadway Station and is ready for it 9.40am departure with the first public train. A historic moment!

 

Caught on CCTV!

Was hoping to do some line-siding today, bu the weather decided otherwise, but I'm on duty for the next 4 days so I won't be going without - looking forward to it! Hope everyone has a great day, volunteers and visitors alike.

 

A moment in time captured forever. Broadway comes back onto the public railway map 58 years on. Blooming fantastic! Let the fun begin, and how I wish I was there.

 

A great day indeed. The weather isn't exactly wonderful but it is Easter! I think Sunday might be the best for photography but, hey, We've made it!

 

Hope all goes well today.
Excellent work by all involved.

 

Apologies, I seem to have posted twice there. I guess its such good news that perhaps it should be said twice! Have a great Easter weekend at the GWSR.

 

A very big 'Well Done' to the GWSR - and very best of wishes!

Looking forward to riding the new extension towards the end of May.

Steven

 

Congratulations to everyone and here's hoping you have a very successful Easter , I hope to visit myself sometime this year,

 

Congratulations to all the volunteers who made this happen. Having watched from afar since day one when the very 1st blog started.it has been truly inspirational to see what can be achieved.Cant wait now for the rest of the station to be completed.Have a well earned rest ,,,,Honeybourne awaits?

 

Thanks for posting. A fantastic moment. The great day has finally arrived and it looks like the miserable weather hasn't put off the crowds. This reminds me of the Bluebell's extension to East Grinstead opening five years ago in unseasonable snow - again, no deterrent to the visitors.

It truly looks fantastic and a great tribute to many years' hard work by the Broadway station and extension teams. I'll be monitoring this thread for more photos and videos from the weekend and am looking forward to paying a visit myself for a ride and some photographs before too long. In view of it being a 340-mile round trip for me, I think I'll wait for slightly more pleasant weather conditions - oh, and the rostering of my favourite member of the GWSR loco fleet which, after making one trip for donors is now sitting out the festivities at Toddington.

All the same, having followed the progress on the excellent blogs over the years, it will be amazing finally to see the station for myself.

 

The first public train with fare paying passengers left Broadway station at 09.40 today, headed by 7903 Foremarke Hall. Everything went exceedingly well, except for the weather. From lunch time it poured almost non stop, but were were lucky to get the ceremony over, and the first two trains away in the dry.



There were three 8 coach trains about, all steam hauled (Foremarke Hall, Dinmore Manor and 2807).



It was good to see steam over the road bridge again - and to get a wave from the footplate. Without the car park (due in August) the queue of cars stretched right up the road. The station forecourt is reserved for disabled visitors, and a handful of staff only.

We were particularly pleased to see a large number of people walk up station road to make the trip into Broadway itself. This was always the uncertain bit - would people actually get off the train and walk into the village, or would the stay on the platform and wait for the train to go back?

Breva was certainly a walker, as he galloped up the road to secure a seat in his favourite pub, with a hot Chili con Carne and a pint of Stanway beer.


This, now, is the view you will get if you travel to Broadway station - an immacculate GWR steam loco, and crowds (we hope) on the platform. Now it's time for fare paying passengers. We've exhausted the coffers, and would welcome the income. Do come and visit us.

 

Yes - Well done to all the volunteers involved, be it rebuilding Broadway, laying track or behind the scenes. It's 2015 since I last visited so hopefully I may get to visit again sometime this year.

David R

 

I'll bet that pint tasted good, Jo! Shame about the weather, but the numbers present, and the ambience are all that matters.
Its going to be interesting to see next year by how much local businesses will have benefitted by the first year of the railways return. I'm sure there will be quite a difference.
One thing I've often been meaning to ask- what will all that concrete troughing on P2 be used for? I'm presuming that comms are already in place between Broadway and Toddington.

 

I understand it will be used along the top of the embankment by the goods shed.

 

Trust me, you really do need to go! I know it was a Southern Region loco in charge when I went last week but it was still awesome (and it didn't rain!). As Breva says, the treasure chest is pretty bare at the moment to get the GWSR to where it now is so all support is so welcome.