LATE SUMMER AT THE GWSR

Cheltenham, Winchcombe, Toddington, Broadway

12th & 13th October 2019

19th & 20th October 2019

26th & 27th October 2019

Another year moves into the late summer/autumn program.  We are very pleased to say that passenger numbers, and therefore income, remain very healthy.  However, with 120-year-old infrastructure there is no shortage of maintenance looking for a share of that income!

The major events so far this year have all been very popular and well supported, although the Great British Summer has dampened these on occasions.  For the Steam and Diesel Galas we are now able to provide four running rakes, thanks to the efforts of our Carriage & Wagon department.

Taking a look around the railway:

Cheltenham
This is clearly now the most popular place to start their journey with our visitors.  The first train north from here (around 11:00) is very busy.  Best to arrive in plenty of time in order to get the best seats!  (Tip - walk to the signal box end and seats will be easier to find).

Winchcombe
The Coffee Pot Café continues to be very popular.  An additional table has been placed under the canopy, funded by the Friends of Winchcombe Station.  The original weighbridge has been refurbished and is open to view on occasions. Over by platform 2 the site for the small Usk building, facing a short platform, is also taking shape.  See the Heritage Herald website for details - and much more besides.

Carriage & Wagon recently outshopped the green motor vehicle for the DMU. On completion of work by the owning group it will go on the north end of the set to replace the blue unit in use at the moment.

Toddington
Professional advice was sought regarding the health of the trees here. Sadly many were at the end of their life and have been felled. Where appropriate, replacements will be planted. It has however opened up the station to give fine views of the Cotswold escarpment.

Just north of the viaduct the volunteer drain gang have spent most of the summer rebuilding the complex drainage system there. Still several days to go. A classic example of where money goes but is unseen by most and has zero glamour potential! The Lineside Drain Gang blog gives all the details.

Broadway
The development here continues apace - again see the Heritage Herald website. Scaffolding is down around the footbridge steps but there is some way to go before they are in use. Posters and other heritage touches are continually being added to re-create the Edwardian atmosphere as far as possible.

Works to make the signalling operational continue. New signals are appearing but there is a huge amount of work still to be done to complete and test before it is in use. An operational problem at the end of July means that for the moment trains have to be "Top and Tailed" to and from Toddington to here.

Forthcoming Events

September 8th.  Classic Vehicle Day.  "I learnt to drive in one of those!"
October 12th, 13th.  Diesel Gala.
October 19th, 20th.  Cotswold Food and Drink Fayre.  A very popular event - great timing to get Christmas presents as well as something for immediate use.
October 26th, 27th. Halloween Steam 'n' Scream.  A new team have been busy over steaming cauldrons cooking up ideas for this!

And last but by no means least - Santa Specials start on November 30th.  Santa's elves have been busy selecting excellent presents and are looking forward to seeing the children enjoying them on their way back on the train to Cheltenham after seeing the man himself.

We have an absolute capacity limit of just over 10,000 places (adults and children) and invariably we sell out and some are disappointed.  Tickets are on sale now, via the website, so book now to hopefully get the date you want.

For more information click on the link below.

 

More details about LATE SUMMER AT THE GWSR (External Link)

 

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