GWSR Cotswold Festival of Steam 'Cheltenham & Gloucester Steam Days' 12-14 May

Does anyone know how long 4079 is going to be at Toddington and will he be running before or after the Gala itself?

 

If all goes to plan then 4079 will be in operation on Tuesday May 9th to celebrate the 59th anniversary of the 1964 z48 run. (7903 will masquerade as 6999 capel dewi hall and be the second engine out that day). Normal fares apply. 4079 will then star at the gala 12-14th, then is with us until early June, with the plan that it will get some more normal days in that period.

 

Waiting on contracts and such like. I would hope we could say something by the end of the week,

 

Thank you so much!

My aged father is quite desperate to see and have a run behind her (GWSR is much more accessible if you don't have great mobility v. Didcot!)

 

78019 announced as the next guest for the gala

 

Happened a lot quicker than I was expecting! I said end of the week but our finance director turned the contract around quickly. Was originally going for a midland loco but as 75014 has to (sadly) return to Paington after the gala, 78019 will be hanging around for a bit. Should look nice alongside 75014 that weekend.

 

Is that the last of the announcements or should we be expecting one more?

 

There should be one more still to come

 

78019 and 75014 would look tasty doubleheaded.

 

Not booked yet, waiting for hospital confirmation for date to have a nefarious lump dug out of my groin, we'll be less than pleased if it wrecks this!
What news if any on platform 2 and footbridge at Broadway, will they be ready for the event? Thanks.

 

Great to see, shame it isn't in green as they were more common on the Western.

For goodness sake! Really?! Isn't 7 enough?

 

Sorry Actually, to run the really intensive timetable that we do, 8 makes things a lot easier. We just happen to be down a bit on the home fleet this year due to Covid knock on effects of delayed overhauls. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to what we've got lined up!

Fingers crossed all is ok with your health, I hopefully should get some pictures at Broadway this weekend to show what we're doing

 

Just to clarify:
What do you mean by lined up?
Final visitor or the whole event in general?

As the event itself [apart from 35006] this is probably the best theme you've ever had! I'm looking forward to riding behind engines that basically operated within 10 minutes driving distance from you.
I cannot wait! I've booked a BNB so that I can stay longer at your railway, you can guarantee there will be brakevans ridden, buses rode and attractions visited.

As for the 4th and final guest, hoping its something GWR, preferably a tank engine.

 

Well, both I suppose!

I should have said here last night, our ever popular footplate rides are now on sale:

https://gwsr.vticket.co.uk/section.php/75/1/cotswolds-festival-of-steam-2023

Make it a really special occasion and have a trip on the footplate on our of our home fleet engines. Cost is £125 which includes a normal day ticket for the day of your ride. I'm pleased to say that despite only going up yesterday, well over 50% have already been sold with only a couple of trips left on Friday and Saturday at time of writing. So if you're umming and ahhing, don't delay!

 

Also worth remembering that one of the guests, the pug is primarily being used on shunting demonstrations at winchcombe so there are basically 7 ‘’ mainline’ for use on the full line trains.

 

Coming back to this, I'm pleased to say there will be access to part Platform 2 at Broadway, and not only that but we're also opening the signal box for visits too so you can see up close how smart it's all looking:





Access will be via the barrow crossing at the South end of the station, as only the Southern part of Platform 2 has been surfaced. The footbridge comes straight down onto where the waiting room will be and is technically a building site, so although you'll be able to go up the footbridge, you won't be able to go down onto P2 from there. We hope folks will make the most of this opportunity to get some new photo angles and take a peek inside the signal box where there is expected to be some additional material on display.

I really would encourage everyone to book their tickets online now at www.gwsr.com/galas/steam-gala, not only is it a few quid cheaper than on the day, but you will have the warm feeling of knowing that you've done your bit in lowering the Financial Director's and gala team's overall stress levels

 

Now you put it that way, I guess 8 makes sense.
Although I could be wrong, I will just put it out there and say: "Are you planning to get 31806 as commemoration of the MSWJR?"

Although it is highly unlikely, I suppose that has something to do with the theme and 31806 on 8 maroons is not a bad way to recreate the line.

 

Well done to @WesternRegionHampshireman and others for their astute guess at a U-boat for the final guest linking in with the theme - we're pleased to announce SR U class 31806, courtesy of the Swanage Railway and JMB Locomotive Services!
U-boats did indeed work up from Andover over the old MSWJR and we can't wait to see an SR mogul in Cheltenham once again, subject to completion of scheduled maintenance.



There really is no excuse not to pre-book your tickets now, save 5% off on the day prices. There's still a few footplate rides left on the Friday and Sunday too if you're quick! www.gwsr.com/galas/steam-gala

 

31806 and 75014 are the signings for me. Can't wait for this one

 

Flattered as I am, I shouldn't really get an credit for getting 31806 right.
Although, wouldn't it be spooky if it DID haul 8 Maroon coaches?

Anyway, now this is something worth a weekend away for!