Spring and the new 2019 Operating Season is around the corner and Cheltenham has the daffodils to prove it!
What the Eye Doesn’t See……!
Clearance work on the Evesham Road Bridge and Beyond
You will have read in the Blog about the Bridge Inspection work to be carried out along the line, and the tidying up that is going on at CRS in particular.
There are some excellent pictures on the Facebook Group The Honeybourne Line – a GWR Mainline in the Making, of this weeks work in progress around the Evesham Road Bridge, along to Hunting Butts .
https://www.facebook.com/groups/322920307766027/2086558054735568/
All Miked Up!
P & O sporting 3 microphones for action recording. Apparently the recordings will be used by a well known model railway manufacturer to provide sound on their locos.
Picture courtesy of Jim Hitchen
Timber!
The last week or so has seen the felling of ailing or precariously angled Corsican Pines along the railway. Today was CRS’s turn and there is an excellent blog post to follow the proceedings.
Diesel Gala
The Diesel Gala Weekend is always very popular on the GWSR. See blog Posts.
Here guest loco Onslaught has run round to pick up its train to Broadway.
Day Out with Thomas
A thinly disguised Foremarke Hall runs around at Cheltenham Racecourse Station.
Trumped!
One of the most unusual Steam Gala visitors for some time is the USATC S160 class 2-8-0 5197. Here it arrives with the 4:09 at Cheltenham.
All it requires now is a blond wig and Gabby Hayes on the footplate.
Asparagus Express – 23rd April 2018
A brand new and unique event at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway.
St George’s Day sees the start of the award winning British Asparagus Festival in the Vale of Evesham, and the Asparagus Express launched this year’s Festival! See Blog Post for all the details…..
P&O in New Territory
Photo: Malcolm Ranieri
P&O southbound on one of the volunteer trains from Broadway to Winchcombe
2807 passing through Bishops Cleeve from Broadway to Cheltenham
Another Great Milestone for the GWSR
The first passenger train arrived yesterday at Broadway Station after 58 years of silence! A two day event had been set up by the GWSR Board to facilitate 4 trains per day, over 2 days, exclusively carrying all of the hard working volunteers on the Railway, on a round trip to see the new station at Broadway; and what a fine sight it was, a tribute the pains-taking efforts of those involved to build a close representation of what was there before.
All of the volunteers seemed have the same sense of anticipation, excitement and finally admiration for the end result. Even the sun shone brightly! Not even the use of a Southern Region marauder to haul the trains could dampen the day! (It’s such a fine loco anyway!)
There are many pictures and stories in the press, blogs and television, so I will just say to all Steam enthusiasts “Enjoy!”
Expecting Royalty?
The Steam Gala team have announced that, subject contracts etc., 6023 King Edward II will be visiting the GWSR during the May Steam Gala. I’m sure all the GWR fanatics will be keeping their fingers crossed!
A PRECURSOR OF SPRING?
Of course it is very foolish to suppose that winter is over yet but here is a lovely hint of what we have to look forward to in 2018, thanks to our dedicated gardening team:
(Picture courtesy of Mary – 13 Jan 2018)
Out of the Box!
A great photo supplied by the singing group Out (of the) Box, who sang for our Santa passengers on Saturday. They enjoyed their short visit to the station, entertaining during the loading and departure of train 2 and then for people alighting from train 1 on its return from Winchcombe. They earned some excellent plaudits from our volunteers and from the passengers. Gilly on the left is a regular performer at Gotherington during Wartime in the Cotswolds and the group have sung at Winchcombe for Santa’s in previous years.
5526 on Santa Duty
Nice to see Prairie 5526 back on duty for the Santa Specials. 5526 is on a break from South Devon Railway duties, and is one of the few million milers in steam.
2018 Timetables
Dinmore Manor back in action on the GWSR
Having been away for the Summer, Dinmore Manor made a welcome return in time for the Race Specials.
Sweet Music – Saturday 21st October 2017
Diesel Weekend – I should Co-Co….
Lots of Diesel traffic arriving at Cheltenham Today (and tomorrow). Here 37215 arrives at Platform 1.
And spot the deliberate mistake:-
DAY OUT WITH THOMAS – 23RD AND 24TH SEPTEMBER
With so much to see and do it will make your Day Out With Thomas the ideal all day family activity and, once you have bought your ticket for this event, entrance to all attractions is free!
Ride not only with Thomas but also behind other steam and diesel engines, including Daisy, on the frequent trains between Cheltenham Race Course, Winchcombe and Toddington. Gates open at 0900 and trains will run every 45 minutes throughout the day with the first train at 0930 from Toddington and 0945 from Cheltenham Racecourse.
Of course the Fat Controller will once again be over seeing proceedings and trying to make sure that Thomas doesn’t get into any mischief!
GO WITH THE FLO… 26.8.2017
RIGHT RIVETING READ…
Don’t forget to read the Autumn edition of the Cornishman! It’s full of well written articles and photographs about departmental activities and the many special events that have taken place during the summer. If you do not get a free copy with your membership then certainly beg, steal, borrow or preferably buy a copy – you will enjoy it!
HERITAGE DIESEL GALA 28TH TO 30TH JULY 2017
The Heritage Diesel Weekend will feature the GWR’s unique collection of ex-British Railways heritage diesel locomotives and multiple units, operating an intensive service of trains plus a guest locomotive. Nine locomotives will be in use (subject to availability) travelling just over 900 miles in the course of the 3 days.
One of our locomotives undergoing extensive overhaul will form part of the exhibition inside the diesel shed at Toddington.
The intensive locomotive hauled service will be the main draw for enthusiasts highlights of which will be:
- Two green class 20 locomotives operating together as a pair, celebrating 60 years of the class, and recreating the classic late 1960s holiday train
- The visit of class 25 no.D5185 from the Great Central Railway
- Class 45 no.45149, a class long associated with the Honeybourne line in the 1960s and 1970s
- English Electric class 37 locomotive D6948. A classic 1964 built diesel locomotive in immaculate condition and resplendent in the green livery of the era when diesel and steam shared Britain’s railways.
The GWR’s 3 car class 117 DMU will be in use to provide a ‘fill in’ service between Winchcombe, Toddington and onwards up the new Broadway extension to Little Buckland enabling passengers to get a good view of the new extension works.
All our locomotives and railcars are owned by preservation groups or individuals and most have their own websites packed full of information on the locomotive’s history, operation and latest news.
Thomas Weekend
Cheltenham Station was busy today with young Thomas enthusiasts eager to travel northwards to see their Favourite Engine.
Here Bob and Andrew Stark act as meet and greeters. Bob is looking very dapper indeed!
Coast To Coast Walk – Colin Lea
You will remember an item on the blog, reporting the sad passing of Fred Lea the GWSR Railway Artist. Fred died of liver disease and his son Colin is setting out today on a coast to coast walk to raise funds for liver disease research. Colin is recording his progress on a Blog and I would encourage you to follow his progress and thereby show moral support.
Colin Lea’s Coast to Coast Blog
Hayles Abbey Halt opens on the 6th June 2017
Such an achievement by the GWSR Volunteers concerned!
AUTOTRAIN WEEKENDS – 3/4 & 10/11 JUNE
Over the weekends of 3rd / 4th June and 10th / 11th June the GWSR will be replacing the normal diesel railcar service on the red timetable with a steam-worked autotrain using locomotive No. 1450 and auto-coach No. W238, named ‘Chaffinch’. These push-pull trains were the backbone of the stopping passenger services on the Honeybourne Line for many years.
CRCS Platform 2 gets a tidy up!
The container at the end of platform 2, used by the Broadway Building Team for storage and a rest room, has now been removed, the vacated area tidied up, and the bank re- profiled. See also the blog entry for today.
John Crawford in action on the Bobcat Excavator
Tornado hits the 100mph with ease!
Credit: Graeme Bunker-James
And with a Smiths Speedo – brilliant!
I was asked to blog this quite rare picture of the first day of the 1955 Festival Meeting that was “snowed”off. Its quite a unique picture in as much as there are few photos of passenger trains stopped on Platform 2. It does beg the question as to what these apparently happy punters did for the rest of the day!
Dinmore Manor Arrives with the first Train of the Day – 18th March 2017
35006 Peninsular & Oriental S N Co at the Races – 14th March 2017
35006 P&O sizzles in the morning sunshine on Tuesday, about to return northwards with the first of the ever popular race trains.
Picture Curtesy of Frank Berry
Picture of the Month (so far!)
Foremarke Hall heads Dinmore Manor as they run round the lunchtime train of the day.
Photographed by Bob Stark
The First Day of the 2017 Season
How quickly it comes around! A sunny morning sees the first steam hauled train arrive .
2807 tender first:-
and the faithful DMU on the second:-
The New GWSR Operating Season Start on 4th March, 2017
Come along and enjoy your local Heritage Steam Railway.
Tornado in Operational Service
A scheduled main line service of a traditional locomotive has taken place on Britain’s railways for the first time in half a century.
The Peppercorn class A1 steam locomotive, Tornado, passed over the “Roof of England” on the famous Settle to Carlisle line on Tuesday, carrying hundreds of steam enthusiasts.
Leaving from Appleby at 8.25am, the train made its way through the rugged Eden Valley in Cumbria, across the Ribblehead Viaduct, and over the Yorkshire Dales.
Blog Hits Pass 100,000!
A milestone was reached last week when the highest number of hits recorded in a week took the total Blog Views over 100,000. Thank you to all the Blog Followers and in particular to the Cheltenham Volunteers who turn up, fair wind or foul and gives us the material to report!
Hurrah!
A BIG thank you to all who voted for the GWSR in the #AvivaCommunityFund, we have been awarded the £25,000 to fit out the new Winchcombe building.
Bill
Frederick Lea GRA
I was so very sorry to hear of the recent passing of Fred Lea, one of the great railway artists. He was a member of the Guild of Railway Artists. Apart from his talent as an artist, he was such a pleasant and friendly chap, and always willing to apply his skills to promote the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. He will be very much missed and my sincere condolences go to his family and friends.
Bill
A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the GWSR Volunteers and to all of our generous supporters who make it all possible.
Ed.
Committed Now!
The commemorative stone in place at Broadway Station. Fantastic!
Photo of the Month – November 2016
Photo : Editor’s Choice
One hundred Blog posts!
Thank you to all contributors
Santa Special 4270
4270 was looking great and sounding in fine fettle as it coupled up to the northbound Santa Special.
A Cold and Frosty Morning at Cheltenham Racecourse Station : Photos by Tim Winstanley
Photo of the Month October 2016
Photo by Tim Winstanley
Blog Statistics
It was good to see the number of visitors to the blog exceed the 80,000 mark. Thank you!
Friday 14th October 2016 and Platform 2 at Cheltenham Racecourse receives its Tarmac Surface!
Photos by Tim Winstanley (CAG)
Contractors today put the finishing touches to Platform 2 by laying the tarmac surface. The job was supervised by John Crawford (GWSR Building and Service Major Projects Manager) who has been responsible for the Platform 2 rebuild since its inception. Many hundreds of man hours have gone into the building of the wall and its an appropriate time to thank John and his Broadway chums who turned up, fair wind and foul to keep the project on track (literally!)
Bill
Thursday 29th September 2016 – The Container Arrives!
Groundwork preparations have been under way for some time in anticipation of the delivery of a 20ft ISO Container for storing CAG materials and equipment. Today was the day! See blog report.
Our thanks go to the container supplier – Lion Containers and their nominated transport company David Watson Transport.
French Travellers move in at Cheltenham Racecourse
Around 30 French Traveller caravans have moved in adjacent to the GWSR Station Car Park.
Travellers from France have established themselves in the grounds of Cheltenham Racecourse. Picture by Daniel Day 16/9/16
See latest at :
Photo of the Month – August
Latest Site Usage Statistics
Park and Ride Timetable
Using the the Park and Ride Service to Visit Cheltenham
Photo of the Month – July
“Robin” Stark
15 Years Service Awards – Saturday 30th July 2016
Many congratulations to Roger Gould and Alan Wilsdon who received their 15 Years Service Certificates at Cheltenham Racecourse Station today from Dave Griffin, Senior Stationmaster at CRCS.
Full Steam Ahead – BBC2
A surprisingly good series of 3 episodes describing the impact of the Railways in Britain over the past 200 years.
Catch up with it here – you won’t be disappointed!
Heritage Diesel Festival – 29th – 31st July 2016
A Great time to visit the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.
1st July 1916 – The Centenary of the Battle of the Somme
Thomas Weekend
Always a firm favourite with children and grown ups alike, preparations were proceeding this morning to decorate Cheltenham Racecourse Station in anticipation of the weekends entertainment.
Dave Griffin, Senior Station Master at Cheltenham Racecourse Station hangs the advertising posters.
Mallard pays a surprise visit to Cheltenham Racecourse Station
Local Railways – by Brian Basham B.Sc(Eng). C.Eng
(First published in the Woodmancote News Summer 2016)
Before the railway age the journey from Birmingham to Bristol by canal took one week, while that journey by road could take up to four days. It is no wonder that people were delighted when the railways arrived, as so much time was saved and the journeys were so much more comfortable; the degree of comfort depending upon which ticket you bought, as there were 1st, 2nd and 3rd Class seats……….
Read the article in Disconnected Jottings
The 50th Post Today!
Please continue with your support!
Beckford Gardens – Open Weekend
Steam traction is always fascinating. Note the mandatory garb!
So Long Ali – RIP
Editor’s Choice – Photo of the Month – May 2016
Photographer -Tim Winstanley
Cotswold Festival of Steam 2016 – Another GWSR Success
Railway enthusiasts from all corners of the enthusiast spectrum, cannot have failed to enjoy this years Cotswold Festival of Steam. Pristine locos put through their paces on a busy schedule, full of interest and nostalgia. Well done GWSR!
Mind Your Manors – Dinmore and Erlestoke pose in the sunshine (Picture Courtesy of Stephen Wilson)
A Whiff of Halcyon Steam – P&O 35006 makes light work of a North bound Express ( Picture Courtesy of Stephen Wilson)
The Cheltenham Flyer
See Disconnected Jottings…….
35006 Peninsular & Oriental S N Co arrives with a full a Load – See posts for todayIt’s difficult to put into words what blood, sweat, tears (and joy) must have gone into the rebuilding of 35006 and bringing it back to its former glory. As a steam enthusiast all my life, it was an absolute pleasure to be at Cheltenham to see it back in steam today. Brilliant!
CRCS BLOG Followers -Eurovision Style
What a Magnificent Sight and what an Achievement!
Photo by Steve Parker
The first visit of 35006 Peninsular & Oriental S N Co. to Racecourse station occurred last evening. The loaded test run followed several light engine testing trips, mainly north of Toddington, though it had ventured south to Gotherington on a previous occasion. The sun was bright and low for two perfect photos, one of the train and crew and after running round, of the engine standing beside the running in board. Hope you like them. (See Blog Post also)
Dave Tomlin
Editor’s Choice – Photo of the Month – April 2016
Dinmore Manor passes through Bishops Cleeve with the last train of the day on Wednesday 27th April.
WARTIME IN THE COTSWOLDS
SATURDAY 23rd AND SUNDAY 24th APRIL 2016
This is a popular event in the GWSR calendar and is always well supported. I am sure this year will be no exception. Would-be thespians and alter egos descend, safe in the knowledge that no bombs will be falling!
Bob and Ros Stark on ARP Duty
Whilst in years gone by duties at Broadway prevented your Editor attending, this year best laid plans were thwarted by personal circumstances – nevertheless there are more exciting events on the horizon!
A thank you goes to Bob and Ros Stark who have taken time out to photograph and describe the proceedings through the blog.
Wartime in the Cotswolds – CRCS Preparations – see Blog Report
Broadway Station gets its footbridge – see Disconnected jottings…..
A little bit of Broadway coming to CRC Station
The wild primroses saved from the bulldozers at Broadway are now in full bloom. These are a feature on the cuttings and embankments all along the Honeybourne Line. Following Bob Starks request for plants, Broadway volunteer Vic Smith has kindly offered to bring some specimens down to Cheltenham for planting on the the platform 2 cutting slope.
Risk Assessment Briefings
CAG Member Tim Winstanley kindly took time out write a Blog Post report on a GWSR “1 hour General Risk Assessment briefing” that he attended with two of his CAG colleagues yesterday. The content represents Tim’s “take” on the briefing, but probably represents the pragmatic view that most volunteers would share.
2807 on duty today, running round to take the 10:55 back to Toddington. (Click image for loco details)
20,000 hits since the beginning of March 2016 – that will do nicely – thank you!
The CRC Station Ticket Office
If you have travelled the GWR (Great Western Railway) extensively or indeed are well read on GWR buildings and structures you will have realised what a now near unique building the CRC Ticket Office is. Have a look at a new item by Bob Stark under Disconnected Jottings which gives an insight into its roof construction method.
Editor’s Choice – Photo of the Month – March 2016
A salutary tale from the past – see the latest Disconnected Jotting…
HRH the Duke of Gloucester visits the GWSR and takes to the foot plate of Dinmore Manor at Cheltenham Racecourse Station
See today’s post……
To all Blog followers – If you have some digital photos of Cheltenham Racecourse Station that you would like to share with us – ancient or modern – please get in touch through the Contact link above and I will create a gallery (crediting the source). Locos would be great, but people enjoying themselves will do nicely!
A Bone to pick…. See post for the 23rd March – answers on a “post” card….
On the 10th March 2016 Ben Amor and Declan Flannery from Gloucestershire University interview Bob Stark in the Station Booking Hall. Here are the edited highlights.
Off to the Races…….
See the Post for the day….
Bill writes:-
Reading the latest Woodmancote News, I came across an interesting article – “The Memoirs of a Trainspotter” by Nick Ebdon (Nick is the editor of the WN). I made some enquiries with Nick and a very ‘It’s a small world’ email exchange ensued. The upshot was that Nick agreed to my including his article for a wider audience to read, which I have done in the Disconnected Jotting link above. He kindly included some of his background which involved an association with the GWSR, sitting on the Board with Tim Bazeley as Chairman.
I am sure, like me, you will be able to relate to the enthusiasm that comes over in Nicks Trainspotter story and further, I hope it might encourage you to share your stories in the Disconnected Jottings. Please get in touch if you have a Railway story to tell.
10th March 2016 – Ben Amor and Declan Flannery from Gloucestershire University interview Bob Stark in the Station Booking Hall.
See todays post…..
5542 Opens the Steam Season
This ‘little Prairie’ was a joy to
behold as it steamed into CRC Platform 1. It looks and sounds in fine fettle and no doubt there will be many opportunities to see it at Cheltenham
In between times the Diesel Railcar looked after the interim runs. Here approaching the Station with Station Master Dave Griffin very much in charge.
The New Running Season Started on the 5th March 2016
There is much see and do and the Cheltenham Area Group looks forward to your visit to the Railway.
