Caption Competition update (posted 30th June 2004)

June has been a bumper month for news items! This is definitely our last one for this month, and it’s with great pleasure we can announce the results of the caption competition. Click here to see out the winning entry, and some of the best runners up. Unfortunately (although it does show there’s no bias in the judging) the winning entry was submitted anonymously. However, congratulations to the winner, whoever you are!

The July competition is now under way, with a slightly alarming picture! Click here to enter.

Want to drive a steam locomotive? Visit our 'virtual footplate!'
(posted 29th June 2004)

Our friendly drivers and firemen often welcome visitors to the footplate to take a look at the controls. Now you can do it from the comfort of your keyboard by visiting our virtual footplate (click here). Hover the cursor over the various controls and features and you'll get a description of what you are looking at and, in many cases, a close-up photograph too. So if you have wondered what a Mason's valve, or the gauge frame, or a reverser does - then look no further!

This footplate photograph is of Great Western heavy freight locomotive no. 3822 - but it is pretty typical of most Great Western locomotives. All steam locomotives have similar controls and although they may look different and may operate in a different way, they all do much the same thing. Note that on Great Western locomotives the driver stands on the right, while the fireman is on the left - and the controls are generally placed to be convenient for those normally operated by each crew member. The Great Western was the only major railway company whose drivers were on the right - in almost every other case, the driver is on the left, which improves sight lines for signals which are normally placed on the left hand side of the oncoming train.

Furniture removals for Carriage & Wagon (posted 25th June 2004)

Among the projects about to be undertaken by Carriage & Wagon Department at Winchcombe works is a 1950's 'conflat' wagon. The conflat - short for 'container flat' - is a short wheelbase flat wagon designed to carry a wooden furniture container. The containers was taken by road vehicle to be packed and then transferred by crane on to one of these wagons and, half a century ago, they were a common sight. They were the forerunner of the modern ISO freight containers which carry goods around the world and make up the 'freightliner' trains seen on the main line. A suitable container for the conflat is also being restored and the combination will make a welcome addition to our freight fleet.

But this is just one of several projects under way and you can find out the latest by clicking here and reading Richard Johnson's latest report. You can also view a gallery of recent projects in our photo galleries - and we would welcome more photographs.

Fancy a week (or a day or two) with C & W? In July, C & W is organising a 'work week' when it's planned to erect a steel mezzanine floor in the main shed. If you are a member, you would be welcome to join the fun and you can email “candw” (at gwsr.com) to find out more. If you are not a member, you can join here.

Black Prince steams at York (posted 20th June 2004)

Following our news item of the 1st of June, 9F class 2-10-0 no 92203 'Black Prince', owned by wildlife artist David Shepherd, appeared in steam at the highly successful Railfest in York earlier this month. The locomotive has been overhauled at the Flour Mill workshops at Bream in the Forest of Dean, where staff pulled out all the stops to ensure it was ready in time. Flour Mill staff also worked on the tender at Winchcombe where it was finished in plain BR black and the British Railways crests applied.

Simon Cottam provided the attached photograph of Black Prince, once again with fire in its belly, at the National Railway Museum. The locomotive is now at the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire for final work and running-in. It is expected to return to Toddington later this year, which - judging by the number of people who ask after the locomotive - will be very welcome news.

Click here for more information about 92203, Black Prince.

191 passengers arrive at Broadway - on foot! (posted 19th June)

A beautiful day encouraged 191 souls to set off on the return journey from Toddington to Broadway on Sunday the 13th of June - but on foot, as there is no track laid yet. The journey - taking in the spectacular views from the top of Stanway viaduct - gave a taste of what passengers will enjoy when the line to Broadway is completed. The picture below (courtesy of John Crane) shows the walkers crossing the viaduct.

"The support was fantastic", said David Mee, volunteer retail manager and organiser of the event. "We could well reach £3,000 in sponsorship money. I would like to thank everyone who made it possible for this event to happen and who took part. And, of course, it's not too late to add a donation!

"The Chairman of GWSR Plc - or perhaps it was his border collie, Timmy - set off an hour ahead of everyone else and laid down a challenge to anyone who could catch them up that he would donate an additional £50 to the department funds of their choice. No-one did - but it was a close run thing. But Bob donated the £50 to the railway anyway!".

Track laying on the Broadway extension could start later this year.

Updated 20th June: For a full report on the sponsored walk, click here.

How to donate: Please send your cheque made payable to GWR Ltd and marked 'Sponsored Walk' on the reverse.

Signalling progress at Cheltenham Race Course (posted 16th June 2004)

Many visitors will have seen the progress of the new signalbox at Cheltenham Race Course station. On Friday 11th June, the signalling 'frame' was lifted into place, within the steelwork of the 'box itself. The frame is the rack on which the signal, point and interlocking levers are mounted. The frame we are using has 27 levers, of which we will be using 16 to control trains arriving, moving within the station limits and departing. Interestingly the frame came from Whiteball* Tunnel signalbox which closed some years ago but was rescued and moved to the Bristol Harbour Railway. While all of the signals and the points at the north end of the station will be mechanically operated, the points at the southern end will be worked by electric motor - although operated by conventional point levers in the signalbox. Meanwhile, the last of the signal posts was also installed on 11th June, leaving just the bracket signal controlling entry to the station be put in place.

Meanwhile, work on Gotherington signalbox has also started, with pile foundations being installed. The 'box here will be identical to the Cheltenham one. Its frame, which has 21 levers, dates from 1901 and last saw use in 1984 at Claydon Crossing, a junction on the former Great Western line between Leamington Spa and Banbury.

* Whiteball - name seem familiar? It's been mentioned several times in this news column - it's where recent visitor City of Truro is alleged to have been the first locomotive to exceed 100mph in May 1904.

The photograph (courtesy of Ian Butler) shows Malcolm Walker & John Simm examining the location of the lever frame.

Roster updated for this weekend (posted 16th June 2004)

Click here for our updated locomotive roster for this weekend. We apologise to anyone expecting to see 3822 in steam last Sunday - unfortunately, a weep from one of the the fusible plug seats in the firebox led to the locomotive being failed. We expect remedial work to be undertaken shortly.

Shark-infested railway - and win train tickets! (posted 15th June 2004)

This freshly-overhauled vehicle (photo by Michael Jackson) may, at first glance, look like a goods brake van. True, it does act as a brake van but, in fact, it has a much more interesting function. It's known as a 'Shark'* and and it's one of the latest vehicles to be overhauled by our Carriage & Wagon experts at Winchcombe. In its smart British Railways permanent way department green livery, it can now be seen attached to our train of seven 'Dogfish'* ballast wagons - a clue to what it does.

The Shark is equipped with ploughs. The Dogfish ballast wagons (one of which is currently being repaired and repainted at Winchcombe) are equipped with doors underneath and on each side, to allow stone ballast to be dropped on to the track as the train is drawn slowly forward. The Shark ploughs are lowered to rail level and they spread the ballast evenly on to the sleepers, ready for 'tamping'. You can see the ploughs, in the up position, underneath the end of the van in the photograph. You can learn more about 'dogfish', 'shark' and 'tamping' by checking our jargon-buster (click here) or use our search facility.

Carriage & Wagon have a number of projects under way. Click here to go to our Departments page where you can read the most recent updates from Carriage & Wagon. There are links here to the 4270 and 35006 projects as well. We expect more department sites to be added here soon! Our photo galleries now include a dedicated Carriage & Wagon section, which we hope to grow over the coming months. If you have any good pictures, send to the webmaster (at gwsr.com).

*Win a train ticket voucher!
Why Shark and Dogfish? The railways named their permanent way vehicles after sea creatures - hence Walrus - a large bogie-mounted ballast wagon; Salmon, a rail carrying vehicle; Mermaid, a tipper; then there were Sturgeon, Catfish, Starfish, Brill... and many others. Does anyone know why fishy names were chosen, who started the practice and when? Write to the webmaster via our feedback page (click here and select “Website Feedback from the list of options). There's a free train ticket voucher for
a) the most amusing and implausible and,
b) the best historically-accurate answer received before the end of June (Webmaster's decision is final).

Has King George abdicated? (posted 15th June 2004)

Some visitors have asked after King George - not the late King, but the GWR's maroon Hunslet saddle tank locomotive named after our present Queen’s father. King George has been out of action for some weeks now, pending boiler repairs. These repairs - including drilling and rethreading the fusible plug holes in the firebox crown and fitting new fusible plugs* - are nearing completion. Inspection by the insurance company's boiler inspector will then follow, so we are hopeful that this popular and useful locomotive will soon once again be seen shunting around Toddington yard.

* What's a fusible plug? It's probably the most vital safety component of a steam locomotive (other than the safety valves which expend steam noisily into the atmosphere if the working pressure of the boiler is exceeded). The fusible plug both warns the crew of dangerously low water level and protects the crown of the firebox. Usually at least two fusible plugs are fitted. They are made of bronze with a lead core which melts if the water level is sufficiently low to uncover it, allowing steam and water to escape into the firebox. Immediate remedial action must be taken by the fireman - including putting on the injectors to get water in the boiler and dropping or damping down the fire as quickly as possible - in the unlikely event of a fusible plug ‘dropping’.

Signs of the times (posted 12th June 2004)

‘Didn’t realise there was a station at Cheltenham.’ ’Took ages to find you - not very well signposted, is it?’

These are comments from visitors often heard by staff. Comments that, hopefully, will be consigned to history over the next few days as the GWR has arranged with the AA to have signs directing visitors from the main entry routes to Cheltenham to our Race Course station. In all, there will be about 15 signs, the locations and route directions they indicate having been approved by Cheltenham Borough Council. We have been allowed a six-month contract which can be reviewed for renewal at the end. Most importantly, they represent the first step in getting the all-important ‘brown’ signs permanently installed - and that will firmly put Cheltenham Race course station on the map.

Caption Competition (posted 12th June 2004)

We’ve had a bit of a shunt around in “The Sidings” (that’s the website, not the railway), to make room for our caption competition. We hope to make these a regular monthly feature. There are no official prizes on offer (other than the kudos), although there is a chance that the GWSR Commercial Director may give away the odd ticket voucher to entries that particularly tickle his fancy!

All steam this weekend - and Saturday evening too! (posted 11th June 2004)

There will be an all-steam service both days this weekend - please check the updated locomotive roster to see what locomotives are running.

And don't forget the midsummer special on Saturday evening - 7903 Foremarke Hall will be in charge of the special train. Just turn up and enjoy - normal fares apply and there will be two return trips from Toddington to Cheltenham Race Course.

Evening train times are:
Toddington dep 19:00, arr Cheltenham 19:30
Cheltenham dep 19:50, arr Toddington 20:20
Toddington dep 20:45, arr Cheltenham 21:15
Cheltenham dep 21:30, arr Toddington 22:00

Footnote: following repairs, 3822 should be running on Sunday, and we have been able to roster sufficient steam crew. Thanks, as always, for all the efforts of the GWR volunteers to enable this to happen.

Roster change (posted 10th June 2004)

Please note that the locomotive roster has changed for this weekend (12th and 13th June). No 3822 won't be running on Saturday following its recent boiler washout and a couple of minor repairs. However, it is expected that the engine will run on Sunday.

7903 Foremarke Hall will deputise for 3822 on Saturday's Footplate Experience course, running between Toddington and Winchcombe. Services to Cheltenham Race Course will be worked by the two 2-8-0 tank engines, nos. 5224 and 4247. On Sunday, 3822 should be working the Footplate Experience course while 7903 and 5224 are booked to work Cheltenham trains. Please note, that this is subject to crew availability - there may be substitution by heritage diesel because of difficulty in getting steam drivers on Sunday. Please check with the station before visiting for confirmation - telephone 01242 621 405, or pay a visit to this website.

Race Course or Racecourse? (posted 10th June 2004)

Cheltenham Race Course station is at Cheltenham Racecourse. That's true - it's not that we are confused about the grammar. The station was named by the Great Western Railway upon opening in 1912 and the terminology favoured then was to use race course as two words. This has remained the name of the station ever since - you can see the present station name board, modelled exactly on the original design, which remained in place until the station closed. The English language does change over time and our station is a perfect reminder of that!

One of them is barking! (posted 9th June 2004)

As members of the GWR will know, on Sunday the 13th of June we are holding a sponsored walk from Toddington to Broadway along the track bed - and back again for the fitter participants. This is a total distance of approximately 10 miles. All money raised from the walk will be used to help complete the station complex at Cheltenham and essential signalling and track work, to enable a higher frequency train service on the new extension.

The GWSR Chairman, Bob Stark, has kindly agreed to make the proceedings even more exciting! Bob, with his dog Timmy, is proposing to set off at 9:00am, 1 hour before everyone else, and attempt to be the first to return to Toddington. If one of the GWR departments can field a runner who can beat Bob back to Toddington, he’ll donate £50 to that department. If no one catches them up, he’ll donate the £50 to GWRL.

Bob is 62 (and a half!). I’m not sure how old Timmy is, but Bob assures us that he’s fit and barking. I assume he’s talking about the dog!

We wish Bob, Timmy, and all the walkers the best of luck, and kind weather!

If you would like to sponsor the chairman, or make a donation to the railway, please send a cheque made payable to GWRL, to: Sponsored Walk, The Railway Station, Toddington, GL54 5DT

Platform extension opening ceremony
(posted 5th June 2004)

On Friday 4th June, a ceremony was held to open the GWR’s £33,500 extension to Cheltenham Race Course station platform - please see the earlier news item below for further details.

The picture shows Jane Evans, secretary of the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust, cutting the ribbon and formally declaring the platform extension open.

Photograph courtesy of Steve Standbridge.

Steamy summer evening on 12th June (posted 3rd June 2004)

Q: What's the best thing to do during a long, light June evening?
A: Take a journey on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, of course!

If you've been meaning to pay a visit to the GWR but the weekends always seem too busy, then this is a golden opportunity to take a ride and enjoy all that 'the friendly line in the Cotswolds' has to offer. On Saturday evening, 12th June, the GWR is running two return trips from Toddington to Cheltenham Race course as an opportunity to make the most of the daylight evening hours.

There will be two return trips - the first departing at 19:00 from Toddington. Visitors wishing to take a single return trip from Cheltenham Race Course station will be very welcome to do so, departing at 19:50. Normal fares apply - £9.00 for adults, £7.50 for senior citizens and £5.50 for children aged 5-15. Under 5's travel free. A family ticket, up to two adults and three children, is £24.00.

It's not necessary to book - just tun up at Toddington or Cheltenham Race Course and enjoy the journey!

Train times are:
Toddington dep 19:00, arr Cheltenham 19:30
Cheltenham dep 19:50, arr Toddington 20:20
Toddington dep 20:45, arr Cheltenham 21:15
Cheltenham dep 21:30, arr Toddington 22:00

On Train Catering will be providing a full buffet service, including its popular 'Rail Ale' and 'Track Cider' - both brewed locallay - as well as a range wines, beers, soft drinks, tea, coffee and light refreshments. If you wish to bring your own picnic hamper for the evening, on this special evening you will be very welcome to do so!

The locomotive will be recently-arrived 'Modiified Hall' 4-6-0 no. 7903 Foremarke Hall - or, as described by one youngster overheard last week: "that big, firey green engine with all the shiny numbers and the nice driver!"

GWR's £33,500 platform extension opens Friday (posted 2nd June 2004)

A £33,500 extension to the GWR's Cheltenham Race Course platform is now complete - thanks to a grant from Gloucestershire Environmental Trust, who are formally 'handing over' the project to the GWR's Chairman, Bob Stark, on Friday 4th June. Visitors to the railway will be able to witness the event.

The project was funded by the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust with landfill tax contributions donated by Cory Environmental. The Trust awarded £30,500 to the railway to rebuild the north end of the 'down' platform at Cheltenham Race Course station. The Winchcombe-based Summerfield Trust donated a further £3,000 and this has enabled the platform to be restored to its original length.

The original platform had to be demolished because subsidence was causing the platform face to lean towards the track. It was discovered that the original foundations were in a poor condition and the work included completely new foundations. Rebuilding was carried out over the past few months by a combination of contractors and volunteer labour.

The formal hand-over is expected to take place at about 15:15 on Friday, after the Trustees have taken a journey on the line in the railway's Inspection Saloon, attached to the 13:20 departure from Cheltenham to Toddington and back.

Cod and chips - 300 times, please! (posted 2nd June 2004)

Not a fishy tale, but the number of fish and chip meals booked for the GWR's three Fish & Chip Specials this year. The evening trains, in June, July and August, are now all full with 100 bookings taken for each.

"It's really taken off," says Richard Summers, head of the GWR's On-Train Catering department. "We had no idea how they would work out so we ran a trial for volunteer staff in May. That set the standard and the only complaint we had was that the vinegar ran out!"

The fish and chips are supplied by Ocean Fayre in North Street, Winchcombe. "The shop has really taken to the idea. Their fish and chips really are excellent. They supply the meals in heatproof containers and deliver them to Winchcombe station, where the train stops to pick them up.

"Guests then enjoy a fresh, hot meal from the comfort of the train. And of course they can wash it down with a bottle of Rail Ale - which comes from Winchcombe too. It's brewed specially for us by Goffs," says Richard. "Other local supplies include Track Cider, brewed by Minchews Cyder of Aston Cross near Tewkesbury and fruit juices from Avalon Fruit Farms at Toddington."  These and a range of other refreshments, including tea and coffee of course, are available from the buffet on all of the GWR's services.

No more bookings can be taken for the Fish & Chip trains. "But we are thinking of running a further Fish & Chip Special in September while we may be able to increase capacity after our June train - we'll see how it goes," Richard says.

If you would like to put their name down for future Fish & Chip Specials, click here, and direct your enquiry to “On-Train Catering”.  Let us know how many tickets you're likely to want and we'll let you know what we're planning to do.

Bumper news update! (posted 1st June 2004)

There's been lots going on at the GWR over the last couple of weeks - following are several news items. So read on and enjoy... and don't forget to give us your feedback. Click here to see our visitors book and to add your own questions or comments.

Running daily this week (posted 1st June 2004)

The GWR is running daily this week, offering an opportunity for families looking for something to do during half-term to enjoy a ride over the railway's 10 miles between Toddington and Cheltenham Race Course. Four return trips take place each day - the first three steam hauled by the recently-arrived green Modified Hall class no. 7903 Foremarke Hall. The last service - indicated by an asterisk below - is diesel hauled.

On the 1st and 2nd of June the last train will be hauled by green Class 20 no D8137 (built 1966) and on the 3rd and 4th by D9539 - also green - built in 1960.

From Toddington: 11:00, 12:45, 14:30, 16:00*
From Cheltenham: 11:50, 13:35, 15:20, 16:50*

*Diesel hauled
Click here for full timetable details.

Ancient and modern (posted 1st June 2004)

For two weeks during May, the GWR could call on a fleet of no fewer than six steam locomotives in working order, all turned out from the Great Western Railway's Swindon works over the past century. Following its highly successful main line runs between Bristol and Paignton, the route where it is believed to have been the first locomotive to exceed 100mph in 1904, no. 3440 City of Truro was the oldest - having been built in 1903. The youngest was no. 7903 Foremarke Hall, which was completed in 1949, after British Railways took over the works.

The photograph shows an interesting view of City of Truro arriving at Toddington on 23 May, viewed through the cab spectacle plate of Foremarke Hall which is standing on the 'pit'.

City of Truro has now returned to the National Railway Museum where it is currently starring in Railfest, the celebration marking the bi-centenary to steam rail traction.

Another popular visitor that has now left the GWR is 'large Prairie' 2-6-2 tank locomotive no. 5199 which spent a month working the line, clocking up 11 days in steam. It has returned to the Llangollen Railway, its home line.

The GWR's main-line 'home fleet' now comprises four locomotives:
42xx 2-8-0T no 4247
52xx 2-8-0T no 5224
2884 2-8-0 no 3822
Modified Hall 4-6-0 no 7903 Foremarke Hall

Also expected to be back in steam soon following repairs, is the maroon Hunslet saddle tank King George. This engine will most usually be found shunting around Toddington, but may occasionally make forays to Winchcombe with the additional service 'local' that operates on peak days.

Black Prince goes to Railfest (posted 1st June 2004)

Observant visitors may have noticed a locomotive tender tucked under the awning at Winchcombe Carriage and Wagon works (incidentally, this awning is known by the volunteers as “the barn”). Now sporting a new gloss black finish, the tender belongs to David Shepherd's 9F 2-10-0 no 92203 Black Prince, which has spent the past two years undergoing a major overhaul at the Flour Mill workshops in the Forest of Dean.

Both locomotive and tender have now been reunited at Railfest in York where the 9F is being displayed in steam. This massive black freight engine - representing the final British Railways steam locomotive design, was built at Swindon in 1959. It joins sister locomotive no 92203 Evening Star - the last steam locomotive to be built by British Railways in 1962 - which is permanently displayed in the National Railway Museum.

Following Railfest, Black Prince is expected to move to the Churnet Valley Railway at Cheddleton, Staffordshire, for running in before returning to the GWR later this year.

Box of tricks (posted 1st June 2004)

What is the strange construction that seems to have suddenly appeared at the north end of Cheltenham Race Course station?  The white posts that have also recently sprung up along the line are a clue - in due course, signals will appear at the top of the posts and they, together with the pointwork, will be controlled from the brand new signalbox, the shape of which can be discerned from the steelwork that has just been erected.

The new signalbox is expected to take shape quickly. A lever frame will be mounted inside the steel framework and the 'box will be built of reconstituted Cotswold stone.  The glass will be mounted in modern PVCu frames - reducing the maintenance requirement. Although of traditional appearance, this signalbox will be of modern construction. Work on a similar 'box at Gotherington will also start soon.

The original signalbox at Cheltenham Race Course was a rather more modest wooden building that was opened only on race days. The foundations of it were discovered when excavations began to install the foundations of the new one.

New locomotive superintendent (posted 1st June 2004)

Simon Bannister has been appointed the GWR's new locomotive superintendent. Simon, a senior driver and latterly the line's fireman training officer and deputy locomotive superintendent, takes over from Tony Stockwell who resigned in April.

Simon, a former police officer, has been involved with the GWR for the past 15 years.

Click here to return to the News Archive.