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

Rather mixed feelings about today at GWSR. The event attracted my for three things - the GWR Railcar, GER229 and the Caley tank. Being greeted with an emergency timetable which removed two of those three things wasn't good. The operation had been stripped back to extreme simplicity - Caley tank shuttling between Toddington and Broadway, and the rest running Toddington - Cheltenham. I guess it's probably as good as it was going to get in the circumstances. The ticket price was, I felt, very fair even for the stripped-back event, there's a lesson for certain Porthmadog-based railways.

The Stanway Steam event across the road was simply embarrassing. A huge field with very little in it, and virtually deserted even at 1230. I assume this event is independent of the railway?

 

Family visited on Saturday, very much enjoyed the Steam at Stanway event (which, Mr Serpahim is a very new event run by some young enthusiastic folk who have learned a lot and will grow and improve next year). When they wanted to go for a cuppa and bite at Toddington, were told that they needed to buy a railway ticket at £40 each for access to the site. Given that they;d run with the railcar three weeks ago, they didn't really want to travel. So in the absence of site or platform tickets, they went home. They'll be back for certain, but also hope that the platform access option is something for the future.

 

I would have thought that the Bulleid was a tad warmer. [BJ]

 

Some photos from yesterday. After the delays yesterday I had to abandon my plans to visit Gotherington station, so still haven't had a chance to visit it , hopefully I can finally sort that out next time I visit.

 

I think given the heat, a crew member falling seriously ill yesterday, and the issues the GWSR faced, the emergency timetable was by far the right cause of action. The Caley at least ran today, and the Coffee Pot did venture out a bit in the afternoon. But as its movements freed up paths for the main services, I'm not surprised it was removed. Plus, it was crew shortages that led to it being pulled.

The Railcar was unbearably hot, so again right to remove. I think the GWSR deserve a lot of credit for reacting so fast and getting a new timetable out, that did work well given the circumstances and could even be a good baseline for them in the future.

I've been involved in galas where things have gone awry etc and its stressful for all concerned. And they still put on a very good show today.

 

Would like to add to the above and say well done to the GWSR gala team for getting a solid timetable in place for today, and for all your efforts this weekend. Yes, as a punter, the delays and lack of communication could sometimes be frustrating. But with a loco failure and serious health issue for a crew member yesterday, its very understandable. I thought the emergency timetable was rather good, and I managed to pack plenty into my day.

I hope the problems do not put you off future CFoS events. The lineup of locos was great, 45110 was a real coup and a big surprise for many. And having as I say been involved with galas and seen how they can go awry quickly, I really do sympathize, the heatwave will only have added to all that.

Loco crews were real heroes in this heat, done that myself as well and its not pleasant. In fact every staff member deserves medals. Full uniform for many despite mad temperatures. Had a lovely chat with one of the guards today on 45110s service but sadly can't remember her name but she was helpful, friendly and happy to have a joke about the heat etc.

So hats off to you. Not easy and yes, some frustrations for sure, but I really hope CFoS comes back in 2027. Its one of the best galas of the year at a heritage line, and at one of the most scenic lines we have. Hopefully next year it will be cooler, don't think any of us expected this heat in May!

 

45110 remaining at the railway a bit longer or is it straight off anyone know please?

Cheers.

 

Same for 78022 please. Is it heading home early as previously speculated? - Which loco(s) are diagrammed for the TBC allocation for the remainder of this week as per the loco roster on the website. Any info would be much appreciated. Many thanks.

 

My video filmed across Saturday-Sunday-Monday. Huge thanks to all involved in organising the event, and then dealing with all the extreme events that followed. We travelled on Saturday and Sunday, having our youngest who is 19 months old we had already decided to cut travelling down and avoid going to Cheltenham, with the wait that is there, and then potential time in loop at Gotherington out of a platform waiting to come back. We managed to do Toddington-Gotherington and return on Saturday, Toddington-Broadway-Winchcombe on the Sunday before I went back alone to Toddington to bring car to Winchcombe in case we couldn't get the kids on a later train.

Really hard circumstances for everyone, only feedback I could give would be to try and give more customer announcments. The railway was incredibly busy, I can't remember a busier CFOS and I fear a few non-enthusiasts make think twice about coming again. An example at Broadway on Sunday, 6880 & 3850 arrived, 6880 ran round and set fire about 4 parts of the run round loop - I let guard know and she told 3850's fireman who put it out. We were all waiting on a very hot train for around half hour thinking we were about to go, eventually I got off to see what was happening as I said to my wife all doors are still open so it won't be going yet, walked to end to find 6880 wasn't on the stock yet and a plan was being formed to swap with 15189 a Toddington. Hugely appreciate everyone was very busy trying to keep the show on the road, we will back next year and every year we can as we love the railway, however I fear from what I heard at the weekend others may think twice.

My video, filmed lineside early each three days before it got too hot, and then between travelling. Locations Chicken Curve, Cheltenham, Hayles Abbey Halt, Toddington, Broadway, Gotherington and Winchcombe. Huge thanks again to everyone for the event.