[May 28, 2013] Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway Cotswold Steam... (Gloucestershire)

I too will be linesiding at this long anticipated event with my camera, and I have to say that I regard the cost of my four day gala ticket as more than fair value for the privilege and entertainment provided - regardless of whether or not I take the opportunity to actually ride on any of the trains rather than just watching them as they pass by.
My photos from the coming weekend will be available on my Zenfolio web site in due course.
Cheers,

 

I'm a little puzzled. It states on the website...

So how does one buy a ticket on the day at Toddington if you can't access the station and of course park in order to do so?

 

As at previous GWSR steam galas, parking will be in the large field to the immediate east of the station at Toddington with access to the platforms via the gate on platform 2, where tickets will be on sale to those who haven't purchased them in advance.
Cheers,

 

I must admit the GCR has perfected gala day ticketing. They charge £5 to access Quorn yard, however this is redeemable against a travel ticket and also gives you discounts on hot drinks in their excellent cafe. I don't have much interest in travelling on the GCR, but the atmosphere and frequency of trains on a GCR gala day makes this very worthwhile and I am happy to contribute to the gala as a result.
I bought gala tickets for this GWR gala ages ago having not visited the line since it's troubles. Really looking forward to this and I must say a very good loco line up.

 

I'll second that. As a bonus on Saturday, 5043 'Earl of Mount Edgcumbe' will pass through Ashchurch and Cheltenham enroute from Tyseley to Minehead. It might be good idea to see the charter train in the morning, enjoy a day at the GWRly and then return to see 5043 returning to Tyseley in the evening. <BJ>

 

Never been to the GWR before, I'm travelling down on Saturday. Are the car park areas well sign posted or does it all become apparent when you get there ???

 

I doubt you'll have trouble finding the parking when you get there. Presuming you are coming from the motorway, don't turn in the station entrance road just carry on over the bridge and its on the right. Enjoy

 

Can you recommend a good location around Ashchurch particularly for the evening run. I will be visiting for the weekend and don't know the are all to well
thanks in advance.

Richard

 

Will there be any hardstanding for motorcycle parking? I'm hoping to come tomorrow but the weather doesn't look great for parking in the field at Toddington!

 

With all the issues being raised on this thread I just wanted to say how much I'm looking forward to what I expect will be a brilliant Gala. The Hall, Schools and B12 are all cop locos for me - hopefully I'll bag them all. I can't think of a bettter time of year to ride behind steam past the Cotswolds and, today aside, the weather looks set fair......

I'm just getting ready to drive down, staying in Cheltenham for the long weekend and planning to spend plenty of time on the GWR.

Good luck (I doubt you'll need it though) and it's great that you are now truly back and running.

 

Can someone help me with a bit of geography, would I be right in thinking the limit of regular operations at Laverton is north of the B4632 overbridge ?, shots of this section in various states of disuse and being repaired give much confusion about where Laverton Halt actually is.

 

Just want to say how much I'm enjoying today, great mix of engines, good freight and great weather

I'd forgotten how beautiful this area is.

If your not here your missing out!

Well done

 

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it down to Toddington today, but imagine that it was/will be a very good gala (the weather seemed really nice today as well!). On my last visit to the GWR, I found that platform tickets were required at Winchcombe, which hadn't previously been the case. Now, this seems to have spread to Toddington as well, so will bear this in mind for future visits.

I disagree, actually. In my view, the SVR have perfected gala day ticketing by not charging for a quick 20 minute look around! I dont understand why people are required to pay when they dont intend staying for a substantial period to take photos/videos, etc. As mentioned, railways are effectively putting off secondary spending from people passing through. Recently, I (along with others) was quite surprised by the Foxfield line, who seem to require a full line ticket for access to the colliery. I literally only wanted to stay for about five minutes, just to say that I had been, and certainly didn't mind contributing a couple of quid just to have a look around. In the end, after being asked to purchase a ticket for £17 with no intention of riding on the gala day, the railway got nothing and I (and others) left pretty dissatisfied.

 

Here is my video featuring five shots 925 5542 2807 80072 8572 on the Saturday - http://youtu.be/koCQgxDnZwE

Great to see the GWSR a fully functioning railway once more, well done to everybody involved.

 

With the help of the GWRly I had a very enjoyable day yesterday (Saturday). It started by seeing 5043 'Earl of Mt. Edgcumbe' bursting out of Wickwar tunnel enroute to Minehead and then a day at the GWRly. All the trains were on time and appeared to be full of punters. Well done.
I'll be sending a donation to the GWRly as I didn't manage to travel on the line.
Finally, it was back to Narroways Jct. Bristol to see the Earl at the start of the 1-75 climb from Bristol returning to Tyseley. <BJ>

 

If it's not to late for you, the arrow on this map roughly shows the limit of operations.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=406660&Y=235865&A=Y&Z=120

 

Just referring back to 84A's post above, "secondary spending" sums it up well. I didn't travel at the last SVR Gala ( I prefer to travel at quieter times) but totting up what I spent, mainly on books, with various Society and loco group stands and shops, I spent more than the cost of the day rover ticket, and paid for parking and patronised two of the station buffets. I think the GWSR are very wrong to insist on buying a ticket just to get site access. I had arranged to buy some items from a loco group stand that had said they would be in Toddington yard with their full stock, but no way was I going to exchange the items for cash handed through the "POW Camp" metal gates that no doubt were closed across the Toddington station approach! No way.

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Edit: Having seen the initial reports of vast numbers visiting the GWSR for this event, clearly the comments of a few of us regarding site access are going to be of no consequence. I for one wish the GWSR well for a successful event, which they do deserve after their trials and tribulations over the past few years.

 

My efforts from a wonderful day yesterday at the railway, I managed to get in a decent amount of riding and linesiding during the day, and the weather pulled through making it very enjoyable, continuing my trend of it always being sunny when I go to a May gala at the railway.

 

I've got to say that this is the best £23 I've spent on a gala in a long time. Trains are comfortably busy (ie. you might have to look for a seat but you should be able to find one), on time and clean. Great selection of locos and this being an ex mainline it doesnt feel as claustrophobic as some branch lines do on gala day.

 

Not quite sure how being an ex-main line makes it feel less claustrophobic since it is single track with passing loops operating trains of Mk1's - just like the branch lines do on gala days