GWSR 2014 gala may 24th -26th 'Back to Black'

although only two will be properly visiting, we will have Dinmore Manor and 4270 both which will be very new to the railway still, so it will be like four visitors. there is no mention of anything past a second guest but there may well be...

 

On the GWSR website: 'The GWR expects to field seven or eight operational locomotives, plus two on static display'

3850 makes it 7 so there could of course be a final guest in the lineup reading that.

 

and one last thing what are the plans for 44901 will she of arrived at the railway before the gala or will she still be at the storage site pending her arrival.

 

and one last thing what are the plans for 44901 will she of arrived at the railway before the gala or will she still be at the storage site pending her arrival.

 

I hadn't spotted that, thanks for quoting that. in that case it's all still to guess for!

Have you tried 44901's faceache page YRM? might be some info there, I can't access it as I'm not a member (shock - someone under 20 without facebook )

I wonder what the static displays will be, presumably 35006 and 44027? or will they just be dragged out around the shed area which is open for the gala? would be nice to have something visiting for static display, like in 2010 (admittedly that was more than a gala, but nevermind)

 

Also on the website

Two locomotives on static display will be 35006 & 2874.

http://www.gwsr.com/planning-your-v...val-of-steam-24-26-may-2014/locomotives-.aspx

 

As you will have seen the news has got out! Gwr 3850 will be visiting for the gwsr's back to black gala. This joins black five 45379 as the two principal guests. We are looking into hiring a third locomotive but no final decisions have been made. There is no news of 44901 and it remains in store in the midlands. So, the line up so far is:
45379 (courtesy of mid hants rly preservation society)
48??? (8274)
2807
3850 (courtesy of dinmore manor locomotive ltd and wsr)
7820
4270
5542
It is expected the five western locos will all face south to Cheltenham.

 

I'm normally good at picking those sorts of bits of info off the website, think I need to go to specsavers!

 

now that I've read the page I notice there has been no mention of 2807's livery still, very interesting, it will certainly be a sight in black, I hope it does get a lick of paint, although normally I prefer the GW livery, especially as it will be the only tender engine in GW green. Oh I don't know which I'd prefer it to be in!

 

3850 was a rather unexpected choice for those of us not in the know. Still, it will be an excellent publicity opportunity for Dinmore Manor LL, with both their operational locos in steam together and the next project (2874) on display.

Also an unique chance to see three different variants of the GWR 2-8-0 (2874: original Churchward Condition with inside steam pipes, 2807: Churchward loco rebuilt with outside steam pipes; 3850: Collett 2884 series) Who would have thought this wold be possible 50 years ago when it appeared that 2818 was going to be the only example of this fine class to survive?

Somewhat lower profile visitors than Cheltenham and the B12 last year, but who says you can't run a first rate event with 4 freight and 3 mixed traffic locos? Certainly a weekend I'll be looking forward to.

PS: Unless 2807 is repainted, 3 different types of livery: 2807: GWR green, 3850: BR Black, 2874: Barry Scrapyard Iron Oxide red!

 

When they said there will be two locos on static display can that be 2874 and the 4f and have the merchant navy working! Lol wishful thinking!

Will the area that was set up with childrens rides be back? And included in the ticket the same as last year? My son loved that and I for one will be coming 100% if its there again. Plus bringing my sister and neice with me

 

The plan this year is to bring in a bouncy castle for toddington and if course there is still the children's play area available. The flag and whistle tea rooms are now under new management and so we hope we will be better prepared for the crowds. narrow gauge will also be running steam at toddington like last year.
Local brewery Gofs will again be selling real ale from winchcombes platform 2 waiting room and this year the carriage and wagon works will be open so you can get to see the fantastic new facilities. There will be a thunderbird In steam at winchcombe each day for footplate visits whilst you can also visit the footplate of the layover loco at Cheltenham.
We are working on the assumption that 35006 p&o will not be operational and so as yet have not decided its role in the event. I will update what we decide as the event draw nearer.

 

With only 7 weeks to go to the gwsr's annual Cotswold steam celebration I thought I'd bring people up to date with developments. We hope to announce a third guest locomotive in the next few days and so, if 2807 and 4270 make the party we should field an 8 locomotive lineup.
We again have 6 footplate rides up for sale each day with the price including a full day rover ticket. These must be booked in advance, please see gwsr.com for details (terms and conditions apply).

 

Just wondering, with the trains running till 10pm, will everything else still be running? I'd not, what will? I'd really like to do the evening running, equally I'd like to see all the special things going on, but the railway being a little familiar to me (!) I won't want to stay for ages, so if the extra things shut up shop relatively early, I may have to decide between the two! Thanks, and looking forward to the announcement of the final guest loco

 

I am pleased to announce that we have secured our third and final guest for the Cotswold festival of steam's 'back to black' gala. Courtesy of the Severn valley railway we are delighted to be welcoming WR hawksworth pannier tank no. 1501 to the gwsr to join the other guests black five 45379 and gwr 3850. These three will work an intensive timetable alongside 8f 8274, 7820 Dinmore Manor, prairie tank 5542, and hopefully Jeremy hosking's 4270. Finally we hope that the ongoing axkebox work on 2807 at tyseley will see her return in time for the event. Put Saturday 24th - Monday 26th may into your diaries!

 

Ray has done a sterling job with the latest gwsr loco dept blog which can be found here http://www.gwsrsteamloco.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/back-to-black.html?m=1
This gives a great overview of the gala and what we hope will be another great event. Gotherington station will be open again we still hope c&w will open there doors. Like last year, there will be a public timetable available on line prior to the event. If you do want to take photos line side then we hope you will take up the offer of the reduced price after 15.45.

 

Any ideas when the timetable goes up? Also, will there be running to Laverton this year, I seem to remember last year there wasn't due to time constraints, which is fair enough, but if so, what's the situation with that lovely autocoach in Toddington? It would be wonderful to have that running with 5542 (I assume no other engines for the gala has an auto gear) charge a few extra quid maybe, could be some more money...

 

There was running to Laverton last year, with trains running through from Cheltenham, I believe they varied between top and tail between Toddington and Laverton and running round at Laverton but would have to look at the timetable again. I would expect a similar timetable again this year! If there is a way of working locals/autotrains into the timetable then it would be great, but I know that it can be difficult to do, especially when you're trying to take advantage of all the available paths! If memory serves every possible path was taken up by a train, whether it be passenger or goods.

 

Ahh, I didn't go last year as I was in Scotland, I seem to have got confused, perhaps it was a war weekend? I agree with you in that every train path was filled, it sounds about right, three 6 coach passenger trains plus one freight. I only suggested the autocoach if no running to laverton - I got confused Otherwise I can't really think how an auto train could fit in, probably only between Winchcombe and toddington, maybe laverton, and I'm guessing for that to work the Winchcombe platform 2 siding would have to be cleared, which isn't going to happen I suspect

Anyway looking forward to it now, got definite plans to make full use of an evening ticket on The Saturday, might try to have a wonder along lineside another day too if the weather's nice. looking forward to seeing 4270 fingers crossed!

 

Where did the auto coach come in? I'm pretty sure you have mistaken it for something else. Any way, three weeks to go and final preparations are under way. The biggest news is to say we are pleased to announce that courtesy of our friends http://crosvillemotorservices.co.uk A heritage bus service will be running all three days from Cheltenham spa mainline station to the gwsr's race course station taking in the bus station on the way. This is a free service (donations accepted) that is timed to connect with the start and finish of the day. The timetable is attached (the asterisked times denote not running Monday). Other news is that we still have a few footplate trips available for sale and details can be found here http://gwsr.com/news/2014/march/a-rare-chance-for-a-footplate-ride!.aspx
I can assure you that for an entrance fee of£23 (£12 after 15.45) you will find plenty to do. Cab p&o , the thunderbird loco at winchcombe. The service loco sitting over at racecourse, see the progress at broadway, traction engines at winchcombe (plus goffs brewery) and lots more!