GWSR Cotswold Festival of Steam 2015: 23rd to 25th May

Does anyone know when we might expect a timetable online? And is it normal for the free timetable on the web to include loco allocations, or can you not find this information out before the day?

 

In the past loco allocations have appeared on the website in advance, although usually not too in advance! The timetable usually shows freight times and LE movements as well. I wonder what version we'll get up to this year...

 

That's fair enough as I expected as much, they've done a superb job with it's restoration so far, so need to rush their good hard work by rushes things. There's always next years gala.

Is there any word if it will be lined up with the other Bulleids at some point, would love to see that, as I'm sure many others would too.

 

Well they are all facing the same way, and I'm sure there will be some spamcan double headers, so the two of them passing P&O at Winchcombe will look quite nice! If P&O was in light steam I could have seen the first train of the day being a triple header as far as Winchcombe to drop P&O off, but she's coming down before the gala now.

 

Or the year after that...

 

P&O was hoped to be in light steam for every single gala since I've been a member! Ah well, She has actually had a fire in her, so hopefully testing can begin soonish, although how long it'll take before revenue earning service really is anyone's guess, she's a complicated beast! I did suggest that perhaps she could be pulling my first train when I start TTIing in June, who knows!

Edit - by the way, seeing as we have a couple of gala organising people here, will there be anything on display on the unloading road at Toddington seeing as P&O will be at Winchcombe? 2874 perhaps, or (4)4027?

Further edit - Will any of the visiting locos be arriving in time for this weekend's services, as 3850 did last year, and IIRC 925 did the same the year before. the loco roster on the website doesn't go out that far yet...

 

Thats why steam trains are female ;-)

Looks like a great gala I would be surprised if someone doesnt take the chance to get the 3 Bulleids together. I remember when we had Clan Line at the MHR some of the most popular photos from our gala were of her, Braunton and Wadebridge together.

 

The unloading road at Toddington will have 2874 on it. I'm pretty sure that I'm right in saying that none of the visiting locos will be running prior to the gala. The 3850 thing was mostly because it is a DMLL loco and the group wanted to play with it/double head it with 7820 etc.

Both spam cans will be running on Sat 30th and just Wells on Sunday 31st.

 

Thanks for this info, The-Bristolian! Do we know whether both spam cans will run on the Monday?

I know I'm probably missing something obvious, but it seems a weird business idea to go to the expense of getting Wadebridge to the line only to have it doing nothing on the Sunday.

This is a rare opportunity to experience two unrebuilts in action and is the event's USP as far as I'm concerned! I can't get there on Saturday, so if either of the Light Bulleids isn't out on Monday, I'll probably give the gala a miss.

 

The actual gala is the week before, Bristolian was referring to the weekend after the gala I think....so 34007 will doubtless be in action on the Bank Holiday on 25th

 

Thank you, yes I was referring to the weekend after the gala. To clarify, all three guest locos, Wells, Wadebridge & Raveningham Hall will be running on all three days of the gala. The Saturday after the gala (30th) will see both Wells and Wadebridge in steam, the following day (31st) just Wells.

 

Thanks bristoian for clearing that one up! Wells is being loaded as type this so it has begun!
All three guests are expected to face North (chimney facing out of Cheltenham) all other locos currently face South. The public timetable has now been proofed and it will hopefully be going up tomorrow. It will as in previous years give the projected loco allocations and stock sets. What it will be missing is approx 2 light engine moves and two moves with the freight (first and last moments of the freight) to get it to and from its stabling point. This has been done to stop the general public thinking they are trains that they can ride on. Not every one is a wiz at working out timetables. It's a shame about p&o not being in light steam, but with time running out to complete a successful boiler exam (very minor niggles) they have concentrated on completion of cosmetic restoration. I'm even hoping one nameplate MAY make an appearance. All being well we shall be putting her in the bay next to platform 2 at winchcombe with a very special anniversary headboard.

 

The South Devon grey out columns of non passenger workings. Maybe an idea for the future?

 

Thank goodness my original post included the words "I'm probably missing something obvious!!!!!"

So sorry for not noticing the date and for being a fatheaded chump.

 

Freight trains already in a greyed out Column and Saturday night only late train in a darker grey! Hopefully everyone of all abilities will be able to easily understand it! On the day everyone will receive an A4 copy with timetable one side and line map with attractions on the other. Both these will be posted on line hopefully tomorrow.

 

34092 on a Moveright trailer in Ingrow yard not far off departure about an hour ago.

 

Believe wells has been sat in Leeds overnight. Tender leaving ingrow this morning.

 

Is anyone else having problems with the website; just went to check if the timetable's up yet and I get an error when trying to load the homepage.

Edit - all better now, but no timetable yet.

 

Timetable now up, with allocations.