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

As I recall there is plenty of parking at the racecourse station. I've only parked at that end of the line once but it wasn't a problem.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Yep, loads at crc, and all free too!

 

The weather forecast suggests a much brighter day tomorrow (Sunday). <BJ>
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/sw/cheltenham_forecast_weather.html

 

Looks like tomorrow will be the best day to visit, better weather, late running still, and less chance of things breaking down!

A few of my humble offerings from this afternoon:

 

Excellent photos! Thanks for sharing. 4270 in particular does not disappoint, it really does look "straight out of the box!" I'm looking forward to spending the day on the GWSR tomorrow. I have never seen a GWR 1500 tank at all before, let alone in working order and the Black 5 is also new at Toddington too (quite common in BR days of course though). It is unfortunate that 2807 wasn't ready in time, these things happen. Its expected back from Tyseley by the end of May.

 

Some great photos Alex I see you granted my request of a photo of 35006. I also love the photo of 4270 pulling away... would make a great blog post.

 

Thanks for the compliments, give me time Simon! Probably won't have time until after the weekend as I'm in all day tomorrow and Monday. Do make yourself known Kingham branch, be nice to put a face to a name, I'll be the one pretending to do work and taking pictures outside the boundaries cos I can I saw the 1500 at the svr last year hauling an 8 coach train or something stupid, it made a deafening noise all the way to Hampton loade! Any pictures from tomorrow will hopefully be with nicer weather, but reduced to my camera phone.

I think 4270 has been my favourite, I'm fairly sure it was only its first revenue earning train today. I hope it'll be in regular service now, although I expect there will be things to finish off after the gala.

 

Here's my video from yesterday at the gala, despite the varied weather, it was still an enjoyable day!

 

As stated earlier, I (along with a mate) paid a first ever visit to the line...................................... we both had a very enjoyable day, even though our time was limited due to traveling there and back by train.

And I was right...................................... the first loco I clapped eye's on was our (MHR) very own 45379................................. But you lot seem to like her!!

It was certainly a day of "two halfs" as far as the weather was concerned, but did the wet stuff stop us enjoying ourselves? - No of course not!!

It was certainly a relaxed atmosphere, with people ACTUALLY paying each other respect when photo graphing loco's.......................... at a gala???????????????????????

Where were the "me first" brigade, put of by the weather?......................................

I enjoyed chatting with the stewards manning the barrow crossings at each station.............. I felt sorry for them standing there in the p_ssing rain, a thankless task - so well done gents!!

Shame the workshops at Toddington weren't open to view whats going on, BUT given the recent experience of the "copper fairies" , that is perhaps understandable!

At Winchcombe, I for one was very impressed by Goff's Tournament Ale..... BUT more than impressed, nay envious of the C&W facilities........................ And to think you have all that from a bequest - you are very lucky!!

I also like the proposed plans for the Syphon G, by sectioning it off to display its various roles through out its life, nice idea!

Oh, and Flying Scotsman1213, I actually enquired as to your whereabouts, and was informed you'd nipped out for a pint ....................................................... of milk Lol!

I also managed to have a chat with the lads who put 4270 back together, They, and I, are looking forward to its visit to the MHR at the autumn gala.................. should give a real test over the alps!

So all in all a very pleasant, and educational visit - I learned a lot from various people all over the railway about future plans.

So, as Arnie once said - "I'll Be Back"!! And so will my mate.......................... he even went as far as to say the GWSR is better than the Bluebell - high praise indeed!!

Also someone on here asked me to post some pics of P&O............................ well here they are, even though I can't compete with blue skies and fluffy cloud, as when I turned up it was persisting down!

 

Excellent video - captures the action from the day really well. It's even got a shot of my back on a brake van. I thought the brake van rides were a great idea. It's a totally different way to experience the line. The tunnel was particularly fun (no sign of the ghost though!)

 

I love that video, brilliant! Sorry I missed you dutydruid, I was only in a few hours yesterday, then off on the trains. Spent all day in today though, every one was very nice, had someone asking if if the liveries were copyrighted... Took some more photos too, nicer weather today, I went wandering round Winchcombe yard to get some different angles, including one taken on top of an open goods wagon! I'd like to try the brake van rides, they look brilliant, especially as I've done work on both of them!

The black five apparently had a dropping brick arch, but was out and about later in the day, the first things I saw this morning was a dmll double header followed by a stunning double header, a nice welcome! I'll try and sort through some more pictures in a bit, but absolutely shattered now. Same tomorrow?

 

The video appears to show some major works in Dixton Cutting - is that another landslip?

 

whereabouts in the video is that, I only had time to flick through it? I haven't heard anything anyway.

 

A very enjoyable two days at the GWSR, riding yesterday and linesiding today. Plenty of footage to edit, however, I won't be doing that until tomorrow.....I fear I may drop off if I started tonight! So for now, have an in profile shot of 35006 at Toddington, coming along nicely now.

 

I feel a bit like that, I've got to cobble some stuff together with my photos for blogs and other people, but still another day to go yet, I look forward to your video, I might see how my phone manages with video tomorrow.

 

Major drainage works have been carried out along the line, including Dixton Cutting, where I believe water erosion was causing problems at one place. (The Andy Protherogh GWSR Blog gives some excellent images of the amount of work that's going on along the line) However, I was amazed at the amount of lineside drainage work, including new drain covers, new soakaways etc, that have appeared since last year. However, the GWSR has tackled the whole line, not just Chicken Curve and Gotherington, as regards improving drainage etc.

4270 looked awesome yesterday and I was able to visit the footplate. I was unable to find the Hornby box that it must have arrived in. The locomotive is being presented as close as possible to its 1919 appearance so the 1940s "GWR" logo transfers will be replaced soon by the earlier "Great Western" lettering. There's a small matter of the Dean type buffers to fit but maybe one day! Well done to the team who turned that Barry wreck into a pristine beauty! 35006 looked great too and the aim is to have it steaming before the end of 2014 - it certainly deserves to!

 

That would make sense, we've done absolutely nothing by halves on the drainage side of things since all the problems, other railways should learn - before their embankments fall away!

 

A last minute decision to visit yesterday, a very enjoyable day.