30th April 2004: On Saturday and Sunday, the 8th and 9th of May, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway is laying on an extra, early train from Cheltenham Race Course for early-birds wanting to get the most out of the railway’s ‘Celebration of Swindon Steam’.

The first train from Cheltenham Race Course station leaves at 10:00. The station is in the racecourse grounds and there is plenty of free parking. It is also just a 10 minute walk from the racecourse Park and Ride. But those wanting an even earlier start, can catch a non-stop train departing at 09:10 from Toddington to Cheltenham Race Course.

The GWR is planning a steamy show using no less than five engines. There will be frequent engine changes at Winchcombe and Toddington stations and plenty of opportunity for visitors to board the cab of engines at either station.

Stars of the show are likely to be Pop Idol Pete Waterman’s big, black tank engine no 5224 - which he recently described as his ‘favourite locomotive.’ Two new visiting engines, ‘Hall’ class no 7903 Foremarke Hall and ‘Prairie’ tank engine no. 5199, from the Llangollen Railway are also part of the show.

All locomotives were built at the Great Western Railway’s works at Swindon, between 1919 and 1949.

Media contact: press.office “at” gwsr.com, or telephone Ian Crowder on 07775 566 555.