Gwsr Cotswold festival of steam

It's a steam loco. What's not to like?

 

As Andy said, an option that we originally considered was to have the S160 at the south end and 45305/53808 at the other. As we haven't yet approached the owner of 6046 and asked if he minds that kind of load, I'm not prepared to say that it is what we will end up with. He would be entirely within his rights to say no. Putting 350o6 at the north again is an abvious "get out of jail free" card for us to play, however a lot depends on what sort of a 9th loco that we can rummage up. A double header on the north end may still be on the cards.

 

Ok, thanks for the info. I assume you mean the south end, if indeed a double header is the choice.

 

Plan A, was 6046 at the south end, 45305 and 53808 double headed at the north end. New plan, *might* turn out to be 6046 at the south end, 35006 or possibly 53808 and a mystery loco at the north end.

 

BTW, with grateful thanks to its owner, I can now confirm that 6046 is now cleared to pull the 14 coach train south unassisted... that will make quite a sight approaching Greet tunnel

 

Who cares about the the sight? It's the sound that counts.

 

Did I miss the 7F announcement. Brilliant.

 

In answer to the person above asking if the S160 was a draw, for me it emphatically is. Not an attractive machine but an incredible one. It's the loco that's made the difference for me when deciding to attend this gala over other options for the weekend. Nothing wrong with the rest of the line-up at all, but the S160 was the clincher for me.

 

Wasn't it Greg who loves heavy loads? Didn't he let 5197 loose at the East Somerset with the freight at that event a few years ago? I will be looking forward to that noise though!

 

Is there a 4th visiting loco yet to be announced ?

 

5197 may have made Somerset echo for a weekend...


Remember though it's 6046 he's sending GWSR. She's the tame one...

 

We have a budget which covers a 4th guest but it'll come down to what's available and the economics of where and what it is. We will keep everyone posted.

 

There will I'm afraid be no 4th guest loco and I regret to announce that due to a recent failure of a loco at the WSR, that they can no longer spare 53808. That is the way of the world with operating steam locomotives I'm afraid, they're not getting any younger. I am pleased to be able to announce though that as a replacement, we have secured BR Standard 4MT, 2-6-0, 76017 by kind courtesy of the Mid Hants Railway. The full line up will be 1450, 6046 & 76017 as the guest locos, along with home fleet 2807, 4270, 7820, 7903 & 35006.... as well as the home fleet of the North Gloucestershire Narrow Gauge Railway, and four traction engines. Further details can be found on the steam loco dept's blog: http://gwsrsteamloco.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/all-you-wanted-to-know-about-gala-but.html

 

Now we've confirmed the std 4, the plan is to get a public timetable up on the web tomorrow. This will include loco workings- which until we had the std 4 was what was delaying the publication. At the same time we should also publish the timetable for the free connecting bus service from Cheltenham spa mainline station to Cheltenham racecourse station. Thanks for your patience .

 

worth going just for 35006

 

Then you'll be pleased to know that the shortly to be released timetable currently features double headed workings of 76017 & 35006, as well as the 14 coach train on the evening of Saturday 27th, with 6046 at the south end and 35006 at the north end.

 

TBH I think 76017 is more of a pull, Wasn't that long ago that 53808 visited the line, The last time 76017 was in steam I was still fairly young and a day trip to Hampshire was most certainy off the table, So it's a "cop" for me.

 

Well done to the GWRly for securing 76017 for the Festival of Steam event.

76017 visited the WSR recently for their gala and proved to be a superb machine. <BJ>

 

Agree with all the positive comments above. I wrote after the WSR gala that I'd been converted to the 7F after unfairly neglecting it for years so had been looking forward to seeing it at the GWR, but the Standard is a great substitute. And for me the S160 plus the resident Manor, Hall and Bulleid were adequate draws anyway so anything else was a bonus. Just need to resolve some work complications so I know which of Saturday or Sunday I can make it for, and then I can get my ticket bought.