GWSR Cotswold Festival of Steam 25th-27th May 2024

And just arrived at Toddington! That's everything now on site, and for those who haven't seen on the Grange thread, 6880 has been doing some running in too, making it down to Gotherington and back yesterday.

 

Quick question for those in the know, it says limited tickets will be available on the day, do these ever sell out and secondly from experience what day tends to be quieter Sunday or Monday?

Only asking as travelling from Cumbria collecting aged relatives on the way so day may be a bit fluid unless I have to book tickets for a specific day beforehand?

T a muchly!

 

I think the 'limited availability' bit refers to footplate rides, rather than general tickets. Certainly there are no restrictions on those! Saturday will be by far the busiest I expect, not usually much in it between Sunday and Monday, Monday probably marginally quieter but you're down to people being persuaded by weather forecast between the two days I expect.

A quick note on car parking for all - regulars will know on galas we use the field car park at Toddington. Owing to various farming and weather factors, this will be smaller than usual, so will almost certainly fill up. Winchcombe school have kindly allowed us to make use of their car park, a 5 minute walk away from Winchcombe station. Your best bet is probably to start at Cheltenham, as there's effectively unlimited free parking there.

 

Cheers, re parking my old man (one of the aged relatives) is blue badged up so hopefully that will help!

 

It is going to be a great joy seeing 6880 at its 1st steam gala, have my eye on a few trips behind that, 2999 and 9351.

 

For those planning to video the gala on Saturday and Sunday, be aware that there is a Prescott Speed Hill Climb in action from 08:30 to 17:00. it can be a tad annoying. <BJ>

Prescott Historique | Prescott Hill Climb

 

So tickets still available for Monday?
Do you mean Cheltenham Racecourse for parking?

Thanks.

 

I may be unable to attend the weekend gala, so visited the GWSR on Tuesday in the hope of seeing the guest engines. They were all in the yard at Toddington, so I can say that I've seen them, albeit could not get any good photos as they were part-hidden by other vehicles.

I haven't seen any reports, but imagine that GWSR will by now have given 6880 a test run with a train?

 

Like you, I can't make the gala (Bank Holiday=family commitments). I do hope Betton Grange will be able to stay awhile after the event, not least the following weekend which I could do. It seems an opportunity to get some running in for the loco assuming of course it works well during the gala and doesn't need to return to Tyseley for extra work, or toattend other immediate commitments.

 

Ran yesterday on a loaded run

 

For those that prefer not to use Facebook. <BJ>

''We are all set to go here at Toddington for an intense weekend of steam! 6880 has been out on full line loaded test runs today, goods train assembled, and with everything on shed ready to go, our hard working volunteers have lit up the bbq for the traditional pre-gala feast.
A final reminder on parking, we advise starting at Cheltenham if possible as parking at Toddington is likely to fill up, with overflow available at Winchcombe school.
We look forward to seeing you at the www.gwsr.com''

 

6880 at Didbrook 09 45 from Toddington 25 05 2024.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/25640353@N05/53745043726/in/dateposted-friend/

 

On the BBC website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2jjveyv8k2o

 

I think this may be the busiest gala I’ve seen, the 10:46 with 6880 from CRC was standing room only with well over 10 in most corridors. Sardines!

 

Well the sceptics among us were proved wrong, I'm happy to say that 6880 made it! It was worth the wait - she looks fabulous and seemed to be managing her duties well. What an achievement by the Betton Grange Society! You should be rightly proud of yourselves. The railway was very busy today, probably the busiest I have seen it, so I hope the railway made a good profit. The whole event was really enjoyable - highlight for me was taking a brake van ride from Toddington to Cheltenham behind 2807. It's a great way to see the Cotswolds - you see so much more than in a passenger coach. Many thanks to everyone at the GWSR for their hard work in putting on a great event as ever!

 

Excellent event today ,very busy and some good noisy performances (apart from the stagger on the non stop run).
Trains about 30 late after an issue with 2999 or its train ..and appeared little attempt to try to reduce the deficit .

Hopefully a financial success for GWR.

 

Some footage from this year's Cotswold Festival of Steam, with 6880 'Betton Grange' running her first public services fresh out of Tyseley Works.

 

Here's my footage of the gala yesterday. Betton Grange performed well on her first public runs, also featuring another new build no. 2999 Lady of Legend during the gala. The weather was pretty decent as well. I hope you enjoy the video.

 

Another superb offering by the G&WSR and so pleased that BG made the gala. Congratulations to all involved.