GWSR General Discussion and Operations

My footage of GWR Churchward 2-8-0 Tank no. 4270 hauling the first train service of 2021 at The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway during their reopening day. I hope you enjoy the video.

 

I also present some footage from the GWSR's reopening day -

 

Called in to Hayles Abbey Halt today to watch a couple of trains run through. Was quite atmospheric listening to church bells toiling for HRH and the distant whistles marking the same from Toddington.

Sadly both trains were quite empty - the 1500 ish departure from Toddington especially so. I hope the GWSR is able to get more punters in soon.

We didn’t travel as the current ‘round trip from Toddington’ modus operandi has much less appeal than joining at Cheltenham and having a break at Broadway.

 

Four of us have booked tickets tomorrow so that’s a few quid in the railway’s coffers.

 

That is driven by COVID measures, not ideal for us either.
The compartments in the middle and front of the train seem to sell well, the TSOs at the back less so. Social distancing still applies of course.


The Caravan Club at Broadway was empty a week ago, and is now rammed. We were working on the track there and a lady came out and asked if we wanted some tea. We certainly did! How nice of them.

The Flag & Whistle is open, and you can get served from the doorway of the Broadway cafe too, while the loco runs round. I expect the measures will be further relaxed soon.

We had two trains today, so that spread the clientele out somewhat.

 

Just christened the new mess room! It has a rather ugly steelwork platform at one end, but on the positive side, it's a great place to hang about with an ice cream from the Flag & Whistle, and watch the trains.

 

We christened the new mess room on the end of the goods shed today. It has a rather ugly steel platform attached to it, but on the positive side, it's a great day to eat an ice cream from the Flag & Whistle and watch the trains. Garden chairs soon found their way up there, to sit on in the sun.






For some reason the two trains seemed poorly patronised. What is going on - have you forgotten us?

 

Met up with some friends today for a trip along the line. Lovely weather for it. A tad confused though. Me and my dog were welcomed aboard by Toddington station staff but at Cheltenham staff said dogs weren’t allowed because of Covid restrictions.

 

Now dogs spread covid? Whatever next- rabbits? House flies?

 

But that is not the page for booking tickets. Some people may trawl a site prior to making a booking but I just went straight to the booking page. Other railways are still happy to welcome dogs and that will decide which railways I visit pro tem.

 

I'm booked on train 1 on Monday which, if I'm reading the roster right, should be P&O. Although I go to the railway a fair bit I've not actually been behind the MN since their last Festival of Steam back before covid, so I'm looking forward to it.

 

Do say hi, I'm on duty on that train!

 

looking forward to a trip behind P and O line on Saturday, first steam since October for us.

Sent from my PRA-LX1 using Tapatalk

 

Spent the day at the railway today getting the locos ready for tomorrow. The new mess block is fantastic, feels like a palace after the confines of the previous railway carriage. Sorry no photos but it was great to be back after 4 months away. We lit 35006 and 7903 and disposed 4270 along with a bit of shunting, so an enjoyable day to ease myself back in. I’m out driving train 2 on Monday with 7903 so do come and say hi.

 

Lovely trip out on Saturday behind P and O. I really would urge you to book a trip out, myself, my wife and our 7 years old daughter had a great time, a welcome piece of fun. Thanks to the team who help make this all possible. P and O sounded great especially in Greet Tunnel. (only 1 rubbish photo sorry!)

Sent from my PRA-LX1 using Tapatalk

 

Back from a very enjoyable morning steaming through the Cotswolds with P&O, despite the weather. Myself and just one other chap had the open coach to ourselves, but the compartment coaches seemed to have a number of happy and excited families in, which was good to see. Normally on my visits to the railway I find myself looking forward to a proper sit down lunch at the Flag & Whistle which obviously I've not been able to do on recent visits, although I did get a lovely cup of tea and slice of cake from the stall at the racecourse today. I'll be back again next month so hopefully I'll get that proper lunch then.

 

Glad you had a good morning, I was busy concentrating on my first guard training turn in 18 months!

 

I did enjoy the carriage blog about the buckeye coupling exams. So thanks to those who produced that blog.