GWSR Cotswold Festival of Steam - 25 - 27 May 2019.

Heritage bus times now on the railway website

 

Does the Heritage bus keep strictly to the timetable or does it wait for steam train arrivals at Cheltenham Racecourse even if they are late? ask because its quite a sparse timetable and we need to think about main line connections.

 

Certainly if it was the last train in Cheltenham the bus would wait. (Although it May depend on lateness, another round trip of the bus would be probably undertaken.
The same team have been doing the Cheltenham mainline link for a few years now and I’d like to think they understand how it all works.

 

Tomorrow (Monday) is the last day for online advance ticket sales. 6023 has been passed fit to run after a quick toddington broadway trip yesterday. Also look out for 419 and 1264 making there way south on Monday and Tuesday by our friends at Reid freight! All kicks off next Saturday!

 

Any help/know if the footbridge over the line between Toddington and Broadway that was closed during last year's event, has re-opened, or does it remain closed? Can't find it list in closed footpaths. It's the one that runs from East Lodge Farm on the B4632 to the outskirts of Stanton village. Thanks.

 

Fully reopened, at great expense, at the end of last year.

 

Many thanks, probably will be well populated then!

 

I know this is a railway forum but does anybody know what traction engines are likely to be there?

 

Locomotive directions on the website now. As previously posted with 1264 facing Broadway and 419 facing Cheltenham.

 

That would be nice to see the B1 working out of Cheltenham Racecourse

 

All locomotives now on site. P&o running today after repairs to a tender braking issue. Both B1 and caley undergoing ftr exams and steam tests ready for the weekend. It has been decided that 419 will run tomorrow, (Thursday) in the path of the dmu on the blue timetable. Other steam loco to be 7820. So, if you can’t make the weekend, but are free tomorrow, come on down. Yours truly is tomorrow’s driver on 419.

 

Don't break it!!!! See you all Saturday onwards, weather looks promising for the event.

 

419 on her first Cheltenham service earlier today...

 

419 was taken out of service earlier today and replaced by a diesel. Not sure what the problem was but fingers crossed they can get her back up and running for the gala.

 

Oh no! And after Britfoamer asked you not to break it.

 

My footage of Caley Tank No. 419 in action before she failed on Thursday. The video also features Black Five no. 44871 on The Cathedrals Express to Worcester at Eckington Viaduct before demolishing Spperton Bank in the evening.

 

GWSR social media reporting that 419 will be shunting at Winchcombe. The loco that was supposed to be doing the shunting will be on set D.

 

Correct. The big end bearings have had attention and unfortunately, time ran out today to get sufficient mileage on the engine to betotslly confident of the repairs. After tomorrow we will review the situation. The engine will do the winchcombe shunt and should also be available for footplate visits.

 

419 just left Toddington towards Broadway. Fingers crossed all goes well.