GWSR launching shares offer for Broadway...

Which is better than the first drawing that I saw. When I questioned why, for an on-platform box, it was so tall, I was told that 'some of the signalmen' didn't like people looking in through the windows.

My response being, "So how does the Signalman see under the footbridge?"

Seemingly, the design has since been modified.

 

I think I'm right in saying that the S&T dept have completely overhauled the ex gwr aller junction signal box frame and this is stored awaiting broadway station signal box. Things are being slowly put into place. An earlier post spoke about signalling on the broadway extension and I think it's going to be token less block working like Bewdley - Kidderminster.

 

The frame is certainly overhauled & stored, and in assembled condition, which, hopefully negates any possibility of 'metal theft' as it weighs, I think someone mentioned, 5 tonnes?

I'd not like to see it being put into Broadway too early, purely on the grounds of 'security'. Broadway has already had its problems over recent years, from padlocks being 'bolt-cuttered' off, only to reveal a cement or timber store, to scroats (presumed local) ripping out perimeter fencing and burning same.

 

Sorry to drag this topic off thread, but I looked at the 'Steaming To Broadway' Blog (Linky) and I was reminded that they want to put in a second platform at Cheltenham Race Course. I was wondering what the main reasons for this are, and why this is such a priority?

 

the original platform 2 was demolished back in 2005 due to it slipping and hanging over the track. platform 1 was salvaged, but platform 2 was too far gone. I believe cheltenham borough council offered us a grant for the new platform last year, so that is why it is only just being reinstated. it will probably be mainly used on gala days to provide more flexibility - now more than one train can be at CRC. perhaps won't be used much in the next couple of years, but once we get to broadway and there will be more trains operating on a daily basis (I think on peak normal running days we are looking at running three trains rather than the current two - hence C+W for the next few years will be interesting...) it will provide much more operating flexibility.

seeing as Hall green footbridge is almost certainly going to Broadway, it is quite possible that the Henley-in-Arden bridge will go there, removing the need for volunteers to man the current crossing when the field car park is being used, although that is only conjecture on my part

Not sure when it's supposed to be finished, hopefully should speed up now we have some conscripts volunteers from I think gloucester academy or cheltenham college, one or the other.

 

Alex, it's Gloucester College, and the question of which footbridge where is currently under consideration. One thing is certain, we have HIA secure. It is exactly the same model as the 1904 Broadway bridge.

 

I knew it was something like that, couldn't quite remember the name
that's why I was careful only saying it was ME who thought HIA might go to CRC

 

On normal running days the loop at gotherington is not normally operational. This means a 7 mile section length from winchcombe to Cheltenham race course as against the 3 mile winchcombe toddington section. Having the second platform (and a bridge eventually) as is stated above will allow a much more flexible service. The only train to currently go into the platform 2 line is the dining train where people arnt detraining, but at least the signalling is all in place.

 

Cheltenham Race Course Station reopened in 2003 (yes, 10 years ago) and the GWSR has managed (just) with one platform but, as previous posters have pointed out, having 2 platforms gives much more flexibility and also helps with authenticity. It will be much easier for the Railway when Broadway is reached as it will give them 2 platforms at each station at each end, if you get my drift. A comparison is the GCR at Leicester North, where the situation today with just one platform just doesn't give the same flexibility. However, I'm sure the GCR will eventually build a second platform at Leicester North too.

I would not expect Cheltenham College to provide trainee bricklayers FS123 as I seem to recall it is a Ladies' College. (OK, I know there's more than one college in Cheltenham but I was having a moment just then........ Matron, tablets please.)

 

I knew there was something not quite right!

 

The benefit is that currently the minimum time between trains is constrained by the time taken to get from Gotherington to Cheltenham, run round, and get back to Gotherington. This will be reduced by having a train depart from Cheltenham as soon as the next one arrives, so the minimum time becomes (roughly) the time taken for a one way trip between the two stations, plus a few minutes.

As an example, on the WW2 weekend, some of the services were seriously packed, with far too many passengers having to stand, in some cases, almost to crush capacity. The added flexibility would enable more services (subject to rolling stock of course) and mean fewer passengers go away feeling that their experience was a bit too close to a commuter train into Bristol.

I suspect once Broadway opens, and the loop is removed at Laverton, then that will become the longest running section, and thus the constraining factor as to headways between services. Hence the importance of having a loop at Broadway from day 1.

 

We're working on it! At the moment we have two main rakes plus the spares rake for galas. Once we get to Broadway we need three main rakes plus a spare, so we need to find a whole new rake, plus get rakes 2 and 3 up to the standards of rake 1!

I suspect once Broadway opens, and the loop is removed at Laverton, then that will become the longest running section, and thus the constraining factor as to headways between services. Hence the importance of having a loop at Broadway from day 1.[/quote]


It is a pity that the laverton loop will be removed once broadway is reached, it would add so much more flexibility. Is there no way it could be retained as a ground frame, set to straight on on normal days, and perhaps the driver would have to get out to change it to go into the passing place with only hat train stopping? Obviously locking lever on the north frame would be needed as with the south...
Having said that, double track would be more flexible too!

 

As for laverton loop remaining, you would have to install all the signals. As it is, the point work is a very expensive outlay and it may be that the laverton point work is reinstalled at broadway. I'm sure the planning team have all this in hand ready for when the fine comes. On another note I enclose a photo that appeared in Wednesdays c&w blog of the new paint shop nearing completion. What a superb addition to the setup!

 

Wow, sounds like you've got your work cut out... At least you have 2 main rakes available already, with the spare rake hopefully not being too arduous to bring up to a good spec. But finding a whole new additional rake?! Can't imagine that being easy, how are you going to manage that? Also especially important though is, that if the Broadway extension is completed by 2016 (which judging by current progress of the fund raising for it, could be very possible), will you be able to accomplish this aim in time? Has the railway board committed any additional resources in order to help you with this task?

I ask as this to me seems to be just as important an the extension itself. Afterall, no good having (hopefully) an increased number of passengers if there's not enough trains to keep up with the demand.

 

Yes, carriage demand should be interesting over the next few years. I reckon it will be more like 2017 by the time Broadway is operational to be honest, having spoken to Nigel Black in P'way, but even so, I agree it is a tall order.

The plan for this down season is to sort out the Maroon rake which got deserted at Toddington for the last few years, once that's done there's the third rake to concentrate on, it is a hodge podge of coaches at the moment which could all benefit from a repaint apart from a couple which have just been done. after that we venture into no-man's-land really, we've been given more funding I think, plus the new paintshop which Andy attacked a picture of will help speed things up, as even if we had all the resources at our current pace we'd be a while, which is why we are trying to speed up our refurbishments and restorations. We recently purchased two ex mainline riviera coaches, 5023 and another which name escapes me, which will help, plus there are a couple of coaches in the long grass which I believe have been eyeballed as a possibility, but I agree, it will be a challenge. There was some talk of some more purchasing of coaches, but where they are going to come from I've no idea...

I expect there are some other people about who probably know more about this, I'm just a humble painter normally

 

Presumably provided you have sufficient brakes, you could run e.g 3 * five coach plus spare rake, rather than 3 * six plus spare, i.e. an initial requirement for 20 coaches. That's a rather more manageable initial proposition from a current starting point of 18 carriages. Then build up to six coach rakes as time and revenue growth allows.

Tom

 

yes I think that is already the arrangement of the third rake, when it is used a coach comes out of rake 1 and stuck on the end, So I expect this will be done, probably only when all four rakes in use, which I would guess would be fairly soon after opening, as I'm sure there will be some sort of suitable opening gala of some description who knows, maybe even today it is being planned

 

Posh lady bricklayers - Why not

 

I think I read somewhere a while ago about an all female track tamping gang on some preserved line in the country, so yes indeed, why not!

 

All right then, let's study the better class of gel that sometimes frequents Cheltenham Race Course and Station.
Passengers we like on the GWSR No 1: Cheltenham Racing Festival March 2013. Suits you Madam!
See http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/cheltenham-festival-2013-ladies-day-1760753 if you want more.