Glos Warks CotsWold Steam Celebration May 24 -27 2013

7903 will be fit for the 2013 season and will look great on the mixed freight being planned for the gala. We are immensely grateful to the M&GNJR society and NNR for letting us borrow B12 8572 and hope many will come to see her a bit further west! 2013 will be the 90th anniversary of the big 4 grouping and the aim is to celebrate this golden time in our railway history. Thanks

 

Just want to add my congratulations on success in your fantastic fight against adversity. I last rode the GWR in September 2008 and I haven't forgotten what a wonderful experience it was. A long line, beautiful countryside, plenty of interesting kit. Oh and Lehman brothers went bust that weekend. Seems a long time ago now.....too long.

I don't need much of an excuse to come down to Gloucestershire - so I've booked myself into a B&B in Cheltenham for that weekend and I can't wait to ride the rails again.

On the subject of guest engines I'm not sure you really need to push the boat out as I think a lot of people will just be glad to ride the whole line again, you might be swamped with visitors. Anyway there have been a few galas recently with few (if any) guest engines - Llangollen's Sept gala had none, KWVR's Autumn gala had a couple of low key (but very suitable) guests. If the numbers make sense then go for it but don't feel you have to chase the Tornado hunters. One thought though - how about Pannier 6430 from Llangollen with it's two auto coaches for runs up to Laverton?

A mixed freight too - couldn't be better! Only trouble is it's still 6 months away!

 

Never mind the auto coaches, blast away the cobwebs with a pannier on a proper load!

 

6430 is out of ticket this winter, and so wont be available next yr. Anyway, isn't 5542 being fitted with autogear both ends?

 

Perhaps this gala might be too early for it, but in the coming years I hope someone is thinking about the Railmotor visiting, would be interesting to do a "then and now" comparison at Toddington with that archive pic of one calling there.

 

Regarding the railmotor, we would love one day to see 93 at the GWSR. On one of our Facebook groups, one of our fireman (ex Gloucester horton road and others) was going on about being on loan to Cheltenham Malvern road loco shed and seeing flying bananas and railmotors in residence - all of which were seen around gloucestershire. As for 5542 the idea is for it to be auto fitted at both ends. We released the loco early so the group could make a start with winter maintenance and hopefully try and get the auto gear completed. We do not however at present have any plans to run an auto train at the gala in may, instead hoping to have three sets of coaches (plus freight) running around the system.

 

The repaired, steamed and clad boiler was returned from LNWR Crewe last thursday and craned straight onto the chassis. Everyone will be working hard to try and get the loco operational for the gala - although no promises. Also anyone who has seen the latest steam beano will have saw the picture of 35006 P&O and can see how she's progressing. At the very minimum, she will be on disply in the carpark looking like a complete loco.
The dept now have a weekly blog set up and this can be acessed from the gwsr website links. As for other gala news, still cant confirm anything more other than the B12 but will post news as soon as i m able to.

 

The blog can be found at Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway Steam Loco Dept Blog and being free of charge represents extremely good value for money. An article has been received on the arrival of 4270's boiler which will be uploaded to the blog sometime this evening.

 

Hey Railway Folks,
i was wondering if anymore engines are close to be announced
as joining 8572.
i wonder what the identity of the southern region engine is going to be i hope that it is going to be 31806 from the mid hants railway or 34067 tangmere
will there be any visiting lms & western region engines at the gala

many thanks if anyone can help
yrm

 

I doubt it will be Tangmere somehow....!

I would think as said before a popular southern choice would be Cheltenham. Doesn't of course mean it will be attending this gala though but hopefully it wont be too long till we do know.

 

if any visiting western region locos are planned, i would like to see 2857 from the SVR. be great to see her teaming up with her sister 2807. but yes, cheltenham would also be special if it were able to attend.

 

SRM listing 925 Cheltenham as appearing.

 

Worst kept secret now out! 925 was our first choice locomotive and from that came the big 4 celebration theme. Always wanted to see the cheltenham at cheltenham! Everyone who worked on Repton masquerading as cheltenham have said how enjoyable the schools is. Now the all i have to plan is to get 8274, 2807, 8572 and 925 facing the same way for a big 4 line up in there company liveries. The gala committee are hopeful that there will be more locomotive news to release in the next couple of months so please watch this space. Many thanks to the MHR and the NRM for the loan of Cheltenham.

 

Great news. Would love a good red engine..... please get 13065. That would make it fantastic. I know you already have an lms engine but to do a propper big 4 gala I would have thought the locos should be the colour that people think of when you say LMS, LNER, GWR, SOUTHERN. And black doesnt do it for me. Or there is always the red8f.

 

I know exactly what you mean, One would autimatically think of Crimson Lake for the LMS. Unfortunatley anyone who is part of a gala organizing committee will have the same words for you - Budgets!
Road transport has become very expensive and if - as in the case of the B12 it is only able to run for the four days of the event then you have to draw the line some where. We have the 8f and so it was more important to get the B12 and Cheltenham. If on the other hand, anybody out there wants to PM me with a serious offer of cash assistance then i would gladly follow up Crimson lake engines.... (not that there is much choice!) over to you!

 

Andy - you mention the B12 is only staying for four days but don't mention Cheltenham as having the same limit. Do you know how long Cheltenham is visiting for? Is it likely to be for a slightly longer stay?

13065 would be a fantastic addition but as I can't put any cash where my mouth is I'd best leave that subject alone

Thanks!

 

Hey Railway Folks
I wondered How bout getting either 70013 Oliver Cromwell Or 6023 King Edward II, Maybe what is the likely hood of getting in 46233 Duchess Of Sutherland

Many thanks
yrm,

 

Nil on 70013 and 46233, they have plenty of prior commitments elsewhere, slim chance on 6023, but It's unfair to expect the GlosWarks to splash the cash after their huge expenditure on rebuilding the line.

 

Im always open to suggestions, but we now pretty well have our plans worked out. The big Four theme (using 'normal' everyday engines rather than the 'prestige' pacifics etc. is well advanced. Im sure we will see 6023 one day at the GWSR - just not this event. Also I would love the Brit - they worked the line around 1965 I think. 70045 springs to mind. Anyway, wandering off topic. For a four day event , we have our budget and any extra cost MUST bring in the equivelent income. Also even with something like 14 departures planned, with upto seven locos planned, they still only get 2 - 3 trips. Still At least it means there wont be too many nasty colour clashes with odd engines double heading!

 

Are there any plans for photocharters at any point over the gala weekend? A night (or early morning) shoot with the Big Four representatives on shed perhaps?

Cheers,