GWSR | Cotswold Festival of Steam Gala | 23-25 May 2026

if we're into wild guessing - how's about 46464 from Aviemore - very black and not been south in many years!

 

I think the thing to bear in mind is how secretive this has been. If it was an engine thats been running for a while, why would the GWSR keep it so secret, unless it was something akin to a Blue Peter, SNG, etc to keep the suspense?

Its all guesswork until it lands at Toddington. But I highly doubt they'd keep something a Hall, Ivatt or whatever it may be that's been running for years or months such a closely guarded secret.

Rumors have ran for some time that 45110 is heading to a heritage railway, it was even reported by Trackside recently. Plus with the chatter that its close/is finished, and the hints dropped by the GWSR guys, I don't think its a huge stretch to say that it is that loco.

Its an engine that hasn't ran since 2008 and not seen since at least 2023/2022, and given the 1T57 status it holds, it is a bit of a celebrity. It might 'only' be a Black 5, but its one of the most famous, and it would be nostalgic to see running given 1968, and how many of us may have seen it at the SVR all those years ago.

 

Yes please , I would even go to Aviemore to see from the East Midlands ,but they say its not possible to say what engines are running until it pass the booking office on the day.

 

If Carnforth is too expensive a move (Big If) then Aviemore will be a far higher cost.

 

Spotted on Reddit. If that doesn't confirm things then don't know what will...https://www.reddit.com/r/uktrains/comments/1tiiu0r/spotted_lms_stanier_class_5_being_transported/

 

Pseudo industrial !

 

No, pseudo J94. Actually HC1752/44 'Robert' of Rainhill 1980 fame. Not sure why a false livery is seen as being more suitable than the one it wore for that notable occasion.

 

45110 announced officially

 

Images from the GWSR Facebook page. Hats off to them, great addition to the lineup.

 

An announcement that was kept pretty decently under wraps. Well done to the GWSR crowd for pulling off what might be the most eyebrow raising gala guest of the year!

Note also, no airbrakes.

 

I believe the intention is for 45110 to stay on heritage lines, hence no air brakes. I don't think its had the mainline equipment fitted to it either.

 

I'm probably in the minority of looking forward to a Black Five at this event. Despite having seen a good chunk of them, I think the ones I've travelled behind are 45379 at the MHR and I think I did 45428 at the NYMR back in 1998 (though I can't fully recall if I did travel behind it, as I was 7 at the time).

I haven't seen 45110 since 1999 when I saw it in Bridgnorth yard coupled to 45407

 

Same, very excited to see it again. Last saw it in 2006, and its nice to have an engine back that hasn't been seen running for nearly 20 years

 

The lack of AWS magnet under the front certainly suggests that and ties in with other reports.

I hope it does get the kit fitted in time for 2028, as it would make a very special recreation of 1T57 if it was able to run with 70013 and 44871 on a full recreation, 60 years on.

 

Is it just there for the event or staying a bit longer? Keen to grab a ride but work sadly stops me attending this weekend.

 

One very happy chappy here, will be great to catch up with 45110 again.

 

I too would love to see that come to fruition; I suppose it could be done to tie in with it seeing through all but a year of its boiler ticket. And it all hinges on whether West Coast have some CDL fitted Mk1s by then. I’m getting carried away with speculative wabble of course but it’s a nice what if to contemplate.

 

Yes very true all speculative but there’s scope for it really. Can just imagine how popular that would be!

£15.75 (1968 cost) would equate to £247.33 in today’s money and you know what I bet if they put tickets out at that you’d sell it

 

Nice and shiney, and in BR livery too, what's not to like!

 

Agree re 1T57, the 50th anniversary was a virtual non event sadly.
Good spot on the AWS magnet, it presumably had one when it left SVR, having been a mainline loco late 90s?
I would guess that once it visits a network connected heritage line 45110 will be able to be hauled to other sites like 34059, 76017 and 73082 have been in recent times for example.