Gloucester & Warwickshire Autumn Gala 29/30 October

Services running 50 mins late at present. A TSR north Gotherington not helping the situation. [BJ]

Update: TSR cleared at 14:45.

 

Seems to have been an issue at Gotherington itself this morning.
Still the sun is shining this afternoon.

 

Yes a slight operational incident this morning at Gotherington, all resolved now though. A couple of other minor issues which haven't helped. Despite the late running I have just heard that the non-stop express has successfully run all the way through though, a feat we tried and failed to do all 3 days in the Spring!

 

Just got back. Three of us had a great day, got caught in gotherington loop in the short delay in the morning, but we were kept well informed by the guard and all in our coach were in good humour.

Sun came out in afternoon and managed some journey time behind all engines. Not seen the Deltic in action before but very impressive and attracting lots of camera action!

Even managed to a freight trip behind 4270 up to Broadway and back. A big shout out to all those who have spent time and money restoring the wagons. Lots of happy faces and complements on the Queen Mary, including family groups, so please continue the good work, lots of people like seeing these and riding on them.

Stayed later than expected both due to a little late running but stood and watch 2 steam and 3 of the diesels put to bed in the yard. In very few other railways do you get close to these activities and especially with the ambiance of night shunting and disposal.

So finally a big thankyou to all those who have spent there time organising and running a great day out. £27 for 10 hours of entertainment a bargain. Took two friends who will also definitely be back.

 

Deleted - double post

 

Glad you had a good day! After an eventful morning I managed to settle down and enjoy guarding the goods train in the afternoon. Thank you for all the kind compliments on that, makes it all worthwhile. Now to do it all again tomorrow - thank goodness we get an extra hour in bed tonight though!

 

Problems with Gotherington box this morning. First train left Cheltenham 25 minutes late, passed nothing until Winchcombe.

 

S&T technician is on site as we speak, fingers crossed!

 

Thank you to everyone involved on a challenging day today. The problems at Gotherington this morning meant that the timetable went very astray, and it was no longer possible to work out what loco would be on what train. To me though, that almost added to the day - there was still plenty of activity and I just "made it up as I went along". I imagine it must have been a bit hectic "behind the scenes" - thanks again to everyone.

 

Enjoyed my visit to GWSR yesterday.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@N07/albums/72177720303287932

Thanks to all involved.

 

Crikey, well that was a weekend I won't forget in a while Truly unbelievable, never known anything like it in terms of the challenges we faced on both days. Hopefully everyone still managed to get some enjoyment out of it though, I know I did despite everything. Just before I collapse, I managed to take a few photos over the weekend in-between charging up and down platforms with tail lamps and phones on both ears.

 

It certainly was one to remember! In my 10 years involved in the gala planning at the gwsr I think these last two days have been unusual! As always, lots of things to take away and learn for next time- after the problem at gotherington back in June, we made sure an s&t technician was available and lo and behold, he’s been a busy man this weeeknd! I ended up with one trip driving 7820 and one on 4270, will miss the engine when she comes out, she is still going so well. Really enjoyed my trip in the dark last night, even if we were an hour late getting back. Thanks to all the people who came and visited, planning is already under way for cfos 2023 and maybe we might have some news before Christmas. Here’s my one shot from the day.

 

3 shots from yesterdays mixed traction gala. Bonus getting 4270 on the goods twice.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Certainly was two days to remember, own person plans for riding/walking/photography in the bin, sat on the train mostly for both days, prisoners on Sunday!! Got as far as Winchcombe only to sit for over an hour with trains coming and going whilst we boiled up the kettle and turned off the paraffin can to save juice. Went down to Cheltenham late afternoon to get probably the last run (before withdrawal) in behind 4270 when it was confirmed it would pull the train (everything else was pot luck up to then). Made the bad choice not to come back on the Deltic, stayed on 4270. Driver all set to leave at 17.45 when told the last train south had been released and Gothering was switched out. 7903 sloped in at 18.30, we left 18.35, arrived Toddinton 19.10. We had sat on the train well over an hour waiting to get back to Toddington with station staff at Cheltenham as perplexed as us all on the train.
Thanks to all the staff who rescued two days from the jaws of adversity and manacled together alternative timetables, especially Sunday. Still enjoyed ourselves.
Selection of photo's from a slightly different perspective as a result, part one Saturday:

 

Shorter part 2 from Sunday:

 

I think we'll admit that wasn't our finest hour that - after 2 whole days of trying to figure our way through problem after problem I think brains were a little fried by then, so apologies for that. I was on 7903 and we were just as perplexed, there were no good options by then but that was still probably not the best move. Glad you still enjoyed the weekend though!

 

Any comment yet on how good the attendances were for the weekend? I still think the style of home loco's and mixed traffic is an excellent one (in next years listing!), does my thoughts reflect bums on seats?

 

I don't have any passenger numbers yet, although it felt pleasingly busy both days, but we're very happy with the money made over the event, from that point of view it was certainly very successful! Definitely made all the effort worthwhile.

 

Hopefully the autumn gala is here to stay. We had great time.

With that at the end of the season and the Gold cup at the start. Plus a few days of November race days and the odd F&C with a month of Santa and mince pie specials the GWSR is hopefully in a better position than some heritage railways over the barren winter period.

Given the need to set up for Santa and a run free period for any major infrastructure work, not sure what else you could squeeze in anyway.

Keep up the good work

 

Well it's certainly in the calendar for next year, 28-29th October. Home fleet could look a little different by then!