GWSR Cotswold Festival of Steam 'Somerset & Dorset Remembered' 3rd to 5th June

My favourite theme for any gala. I'll travel to any railway in the UK for an S&D event. Consider me there!

 

Time for another exciting announcement, subject to contract we look forward to welcoming Ex-LMS Ivatt 2MT No. 41312 to join the line up of our 'Somerset & Dorset Remembered' event over the 3rd to 5th of June. Courtesy of The Watercress Line. A reminder that advance ticket sales for the event are now open, pre-book and save: https://www.gwsr.com/tickets_please.html

 

Whilst not a locomotive class associated with the Somerset & Dorset Railway we are non the less very pleased to be able to announce that Ivatt class 2MT 2-6-0 No. 46521 will be joining the GWSR fleet for the summer and taking part in the S&D Remembered Gala over the weekend of the 3rd to 5th of June. Courtesy of Loughborough Standard Locomotives Limited , Charles Newton and the Great Central Railway.

Event information pages are starting to be generated detailing locomotives, footplate ride details and more, including advance tickets, pre book and save! https://www.gwsr.com/major_events.html

We hope to be able to announce another visiting Locomotive next week, any guesses??

Photos: Dan Wigg

 

Given the theme, I'd hazard a guess that it might be one of either SDJR 7F No. 53809 or BR 9F No. 92203 Black Prince from the North Norfolk Railway, or BR Standard 4 4-6-0 No. 75014 Braveheart from Dartmouth.

That said, since it'll have been three years since the last gala took place, the visit of any locomotive class is welcomed in my opinion.

 

I have photo's of 46521 when it was a Toddington resident in the 1990's, doesn't feel like 30 years, be good to see it here again.

 

Clue to the 5th visiting loco https://www.facebook.com/111843800409161/posts/510235140570023/

For those who don't have Facebook, the clue is ???0?

Will be announced tomorrow.

Sent from my SM-A125F using Tapatalk

 

Personal guesses *commence*: 92203, 48305 or 53809 I expect.

 

46203 ;-)

 

We are very pleased to announce that our final visiting locomotive for the Cotswold Festival of Steam 'Somerset & Dorset Remembered' from the 3rd to 5th of June is 92203 'Black Prince'. Making a very welcome return to the GWSR after being a long term resident previously, courtesy of the North Norfolk Railway PLC & The Friends of Black Prince

With 9 standard gauge locomotives in steam, Narrow Gauge Railway in operation and plenty of sideshow attractions this is an event not to be missed, a great day out for all. Further event details and discounted advance ticket sales via: https://www.gwsr.com/enthusiasts/major_events.html

Please note that Cheltenham Racecourse Station will be card payments and advance tickets only for this event.

Picture courtesy of: Kieran Hardy

 

We have another visitor, this time not with two cylinders, nor three, but SIX...! Delighted to be able to have MkVI Bentley NHY 581, previously owned by renowned S&D photographer, the late Ivo Peters, along for the duration of our event. Courtesy of owner Julian Birley BEM.

The car regularly featured in many of Ivo's photos as he chased trains around the Mendips and beyond. Whilst the trains have a timetable to follow it is expected that there will be similar for the car as it moves around the railway to various locations over the weekend; and the possibility of an exciting opportunity for two people one afternoon, further details to follow!

Discounted advance ticket sales and further event information via: https://www.gwsr.com/enthusiasts/major_events.html

Picture: Benjamin Boggis

 

Ivo Peters had more than one Bentley. Here is a picture of his previous car.
Midford:

 

We are pleased to be able to publish our timetable for the three days of our Cotswold Festival of Steam - 'Somerset & Dorset Remembered' over 3rd-5th of June.

Loco allocations are shown, we are sure the daily non-stop 'Pines Express' will be popular, hauled by 92203, timed to coincide with the arrival of the original service in to Cheltenham in the 1950s & 60s. Or for something a little slower, catch Sentinel '7109' with a local service for Winchcombe each morning.

Saturday evening will feature an additional service hauled by 92203.

Further event details and discounted advance tickets via: https://www.gwsr.com/major_events.html

 

Got mine and the Wife's !!

 

Enjoy the gala from the very best seat in the house, from the footplate of one of our resident locomotives. These footplate rides represent fantastic value for money for a never forget experience, they include a full day ticket for the date of your selected ride.

Full T&C's and to book via: https://www.gwsr.com/Footplate_Rides.html

Top tip, book quickly to secure your place on the locomotive/day of your choosing, they are always most popular!

 

Anyone know or comment, are both platforms going to be in use at Cheltenham? Similar question for Broadway, two platforms and bridge, will they be finished/in use?
What happens to 7109 during the day, does it shuffle around Winchcombe, or have I missed something?
Thanks.

 

Yes, no, yes, no in that order!

Joyce will have 4 or 5 wagons and potter round Winchcombe much like the Caley tank did in 2019 - on that occasion it was slightly unplanned but it worked so well we decided we'd do it again.