Glos Warks CotsWold Steam Celebration May 24 -27 2013

Andy, can I ask, with Gotherington loop operational, are we likely to see more action and possibly the freight south of Winchcombe ?, in the past it was necessary to have shuttles and freights terminate at Winchcombe due the long unbroken section to Cheltenham, meaning there would be an unacceptable timetable gap if there was anything other than a full length passenger train in this section, but apart from up to Laverton, the line now appears more like three reasonable length sections.

 

You are quite correct in stating that with Gotherington open we now have 3 similar sections. The freight is diagrammed to run all the way to Cheltenham on at least 3 round trips using a variety of locomotives. As for photo charters, the only thing I'm thinking about at present is something on either thursday or friday evenings. Say a 2 hour period for a one off fee. Have to work the logistics of this out (and gain approval from Ops) before I say too much more. The new fenced access path down the side of the shed should be in place for the event giving everyone the chance to see prep and disposal duties (working on how early to open the gates still).

 

We also hope to have the new paintshop open for the Gala. Follow its progress along with the progress on the carriages and the wagon on the blog at

Restoring GWSR Rolling Stock @ Winchcombe

Our paint supplier Williamsons will also in attendance.

 

Thanks Andy, please do let us know if a photoshoot does happen, a nightshoot in Todd station or outside the shed on Friday evening could interest me as Todd's only about the hour mark from Brum.

 

I imagine that a night shoot would be a bit impractical in late May, sunset won't until around 21:10 and it will be nearer 22:00 by the time that it is properly dark. It might well be an interesting idea to see if one could be done during the winter gala though (Dec 29th & 30th).

 

Good point, brain not in gear on that one :frusty:

 

Hey Railway Folks

is there currently any more news on say visiting engines or anything regarding the event

many thanks
yrm.

 

With regard anymore visiting engines all i can say is that im waiting on a couple of enquiries. I can say now that the original intention had been for city of truro to come to the GWSR after the mid hants until the end of the summer. With its sad demise this will of course no longer happen. So I'm now looking at other possibilities. Quick news round up.
We are in discussion with the Broadway area group about opening the broadway site for the duration of the gala allowing people to visit. A bus service will hopefully run between Toddington and Broadway. The list of attractions is slowly being finalised with the group of traction engines at Winchcombe coming together along with the Beer tent. Currently last trains are getting back just after 7pm but we hope to be able to run later into the evening, at least on the saturday.
Progress on Merchant Navy 35006 is moving along now with contract fitters being employed for some of the complicated pipework and the paintwork being tidied up.
C&W are doing a great job bringing the freight set up together, the aim for something up to 15 wagons. For the sum of £5 (one way) you will be able to travel in one of the brake vans (conditions will apply) these will be on a first come first served basis - (this is in addition to the entrance ticket). You can buy discounted tickets in advance from GWR - Gloucestershire's mainline heritage railway - Cotswold Steam Celebration 2013

 

7822 went to NYMR in Fall 2011 when Truro couldn't make it. Possibility for Gala?

 

And in May it'll probably be too warm for any wispy exhaust effects.

 

Hopefully someone can correct me if i'm wrong, but I would have thought that 1450 plus autocoach would be a pretty logical addition to the gala, given its current location and duration of stay? Only reason for asking is because i'm certainly looking forward to what should be a great gala (now less than two months away) and it seems to me that the auto service is generally popular during past GWSR galas so hopefully it'll feature again.

 

But wasnt that when they were doing the extension to laverton? Now the loop is in locos can run round, so an auto service becomes looses its main purpose? Plus its another expense. if you were going to have another loco (tank) make it a standard 4, then you could have a gala with a representation of the big 4 and standards.

 

I would certainly hope so!

 

More news coming very soon, timetable (minus locos at present) will be up soon on the website. 3rd guest loco under negotiation. Certainly in the next fortnight we hope to have all the information on the web.

 

That's an encouragingly proactive attitude!
Really looking forward to the event.
Cheers,

 

Draft event timetable now available via the link on this page: -
GWR - Gloucestershire's mainline heritage railway - Cotswold Steam Celebration timetable published

Looks like a standard timetable will be in operation each day, utilising six of the seven available locomotives.

Cheers,

 

Cheers Mick, you have got there before me! as promised, the link will take you to the timetable for the event. The seventh loco (still to be confirmed) is not shown but the spare is likely to work LE with the 8.55am to Winchcombe where it will be stabled in the bay. The spare will be a gwsr home fleet loco each day and will swap over with another home fleet loco at some point in the day. Both this and the engine on layover at Cheltenham will allow footplate accesss for visitors.
It is also hoped to allow access to MN 35006 on display at Toddington. The loco has recently had the clack delivery pipes completed along with undercoating of the running plates and fitting of the ejector and blower pipes. Its really starting to look impressive.
For this event we are also offering for the first time brake van rides on the freight train and footplate rides (extra charges payable). Please see the GWSR website for full details.
We will have the Narrow gauge running at Toddington with three locomotives (inc a guest) in steam whilst at Winchcombe we are looking at 8 traction engines being in attendance, the C&W workshops will also be open for visits on all four days and the Beer tent will be run by the local brewery Goff's.
All this on a pay once entrance ticket! (food, drink etc extra). Remember, discounts in advance.

 

I plan to be lineside with my camera most of the time during this event, so the long gaps in the passenger service that occur when the freight train runs won't bother me, but I foresee complaints about the 90 minute wait between passenger trains from those who have just come along for the ride. And that's on top of the 2.5 to 3 hours required to do a full 24 mile round trip.

Cheers,

 

I am slightly disappointed by the timetable when comparing to the gala timetables of pre-landslips when there was autos/locals/goods running between Toddington and Winchcombe, maybe something to think about for the future, but it is pretty much what I expected to see and I'm sure this event will be a popular one regardless of what the timetable looks like! Looking forward to hearing what the final guest will be!