GWSR '40th Anniversary Gala' 6-7th November (revised date)

Yes, it still faces north. Apart from 35006, 4270,7820 and 7903 all facing north (broadway)

 

Well, it's busy today. Some standing on 35006's train.

 

Late night shot in Black and White

 

Really good day today, thank you to all involved. It was certainly busy, especially the non-stop Merchant Navy trip. Most of the time, the fact that both steam and diesels were running helped to spread people out. I also managed to fit in a journey on the narrow gauge railway, which is a friendly experience which I thoroughly recommend. Highlight of the day for me had to be the Manor through Greet tunnel in mid-afternoon.

 

Yes! But a very good day all round. If tomorrow is as well attended the GWSR should get a well earned return.

 

RailCam setting up at Broadway this morning for those of you not at the gala.

 

My video from yesterday at the gala. Nice to get back to the railway after over two years, good to see it was well attended, almost as if we were back to normality!

 

I went yesterday with the other half and we had a really good day. I agree with the comment above. It really felt like we were back to normal. Seemed to be plenty of seats on all of the trains we rode on. One particular highlight was the visit to the garden at Gotherington Station and a ride on the pump trolly. Mind you the Flag and Whistle looked like it had been hit by locusts by just after 1200, so we went to the Pheasant just outside Toddington Statiojn instead. Overall a big Well Done to the GWSR for their efforts

 

I went on Sunday ,weather was much better than forcasted ,mostly sunny.Loco'turned out in exelent condition.I know a lot of member like the SR MN class.I attach a photo'of 35006 Peninsular and Oriental S.N Co nearing Cheltenham with the first train of the day from Broadway.

 

Footage from the Sunday of the Gala




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Thanks to all concerned for organising a wonderful gala. Well attended, mixed traction appeared to be popular (certainly with us). A little overcast and drizzly Saturday, but much better Sunday. We rode a lot of the traction and the DMU, got talking to lots of interesting people, excellent weekend all told with the light show in Tewkesbury Abbey Friday evening followed by a superb fireworks and bonfire on Saturday.
My contribution for Saturday, Sunday follows in part 2.

 

Part 2, my contribution to Sunday, as well as riding we stepped off for a walk to Chicken Curve and Greet Tunnel.

 

Had a great visit to GWSR, enjoyed a trip in the brake van as well as the non stop journey from Broadway to Cheltenham. The weather was better than forecast which helped. I was impressed by the development at Broadway Station.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@N07/albums/72157720127909267

 

Thanks to all who attended, supported and have posted positive comment along with wonderful images of our event. We are very glad you all seemed to have enjoyed the weekend and even more pleased that it generated a useful return which gives confidence for future event planning. Most important given the times we are in.

Maybe we should consider making an event like this a regular thing at the end of each main operating season, if there would be interest??

Mike

 

It was a great event, and it is indeed good to hear that it made a positive return.

The shuttle buses from Cheltenham Spa were much appreciated, we were fortunate to be on the first GWR train down from Reading as the second one was cancelled, and on the way back we managed to grab a CrossCountry to Birmingham with a couple of minutes to spare!
I wonder if there'd be any benefit to providing a bus service between Honeybourne and Broadway to connect with the Cotswold Line. The journey time probably isn't much different than negotiating Cheltenham town centre, and could be a way of gauging possible demand from that end of the line if it were ever rebuilt.

I think there is definitely a market for 'out of season' enthusiast events if a railway's maintenance schedule allows it, gives something to do in that dead zone between October half term and Christmas, when a lot of other things are shut.
Obviously, it does put you at the mercy of the weather somewhat, but there's definitely something atmospheric about steam trains trundling through autumn scenery.

It's something that the GCR certainly does well with their 'Last Hurrah' and winter galas.

 

It would get our vote for both a mixed traction gala and something out of core season (whatever/whenever that is?).
I would suggest trying a theme of mixed traction and (trying) to stick with a BR green era, not always possible I'm aware. But whatever, as long as there is a train running and the loco's are of interest, as most generally are to someone.

 

Can't find anything on the website, anyone know if a Spring gala is planned around the end of May as it usually was? Trying to do a perfect plan for touring next year!!
Thanks.

 

A week later next year to keep in line with the changed bank holiday, so first weekend of June, but yes, hopefully back to our usual scale of event too.

 

THANKS FOR THE DATES!!!!
Think this was my first post, it's the Somerset & Dorset Remembered theme, they told me they have the visitors sorted (though the conversation was ages ago) and hopefully like this one, they run a goods train, true Slow & Dirty style!