J15 Photo charter
posted 26th November

On Saturday 17th the class J15 loco 65462 took part in a photo charter which ran between the race special trains. Below is a mini gallery of the day. The J15 makes its public debut this weekend working the first of the Santa Specials this year. The loco is due to work the Santa trains each weekend during December but keep checking the loco roster page for full details.

1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6.

1 - The J15’s crew for the day. On the left Fireman Jon Windscheffel and on the right Driver Adrian Dorraine. Photo Steve Standbridge.
2 - The J15 pictured near Hailes. Photo Steve Standbridge.
3 - The photo charter waiting at Winchcombe. Photo Steve Standbridge.
4 - Passing through the autumnal Cotswold countryside. Photo Jack Boskett.
5 - Steaming along Defford Straight. Photo Jack Boskett.
6 - Catching the last sun of the day. Photo Jack Boskett.

The 2807 team are Transport Trust winners!
posted 13th November

Congratulations to Cotswold Steam Preservation Ltd – owners of Great Western Railway 2800 class 2-8-0 No. 2807.  They have achieved a fantastic boost both to their funds and their morale, with the announcement that they have won the 2007 David Muirhead Award from The Transport Trust.

This award was introduced by the Transport Trust for a project that is under way, but not completed. Criteria include demonstrating progress as well as a costed future plan and realistic expectation of completion.

2807 – which is the oldest Great Western Railway locomotive in private ownership – is making steady progress towards re-entering service on the GWR for the 2009 season.  The chassis is currently within the David Page shed at Toddington while the boiler is at Llangollen for completion and testing.

The Transport Trust is a widely respected organisation that aims to increase support for transport preservation of all types. HRH Prince Michael of Kent is Patron and The Hon. Sir William McAlpine its President.

The award notification came with a cheque for £1,500 towards No. 2807’s restoration fund.  The Award Certificate will be presented at a ceremony in early summer 2008.

Cotswold Steam Preservation Ltd. Director Roger Molesworth says “This is a tremendous accolade, that recognises the achievements of the restoration team, and the professional manner in which the project has been run."

You can find out more about 2807 by visiting the Cotswold Steam Preservation website.

Latest carriage and wagon report
posted 13th November

The latest report from the Carriage and Wagon department is now available here.

2008 Timetable
posted 11th November

We are pleased to say that the 2008 timetable that was publish a little over a week ago on the site has gone forward as the final version of the timetable for next year. So click here to start planning your visits for next year!

Santas steaming ahead
posted 11th November

Bookings for the GWR’s Santa Specials are going like, well, Santa on his sleigh. Ticket sales are about 10 per cent ahead of the same time last year and although, at the time of writing, there are tickets still available for all trains, some are likely to be fully booked within days.

The GWR’s Santa elves are ready for the great man himself who, as usual, will be in his special carriage at Winchcombe station.  The trains will be running every weekend throughout December from Toddington to Winchcombe – every youngster will receive a quality gift and everyone can enjoy refreshments including, of course, hot mince pies. You can find out more by clicking here.  The GWR has issued a press release, which you can see by clicking here.

Christmas diesel day
posted 11th November

The diesel department have issued this press release detailing the Christmas diesel day on 27th December. The timetable for the event will be available to download from the site nearer the event.

Wet paint as 37215 takes gala by storm
posted 7th November

Months of hard work was handsomely paid off during the recent successful Diesel Gala when class 37 no 37215 proudly emerged under a gleaming coat of BR blue livery. The locomotive was painted at Winchcombe under the cover of Carriage & Wagon, volunteers mark Stanley and Dave Hartwell spending hours priming and finishing the locomotive in time for the November event.

“I think it was a close-run thing,” says Richard Drewitt, the GWR’s traction and rolling stock director.  “I gather that the engine went into service with the buffer-beam still wet!”

The locomotive was undoubtedly the star of the show and contributed to the GWR’s reputation for turning out smartly-finished diesels.  37215 was last painted in 1998 and, given that it’s not normally kept under cover, had lasted well.

A gleaming 37215 ready to depart from Toddington during the November gala.  Photo: Richard Drewitt.

More pictures can be seen on the Growler Group’s website.
 

2008 Diesel driving courses
posted 7th November

Details are now on the site for the GWR’s always popular diesel driving courses. Click here for details and a booking form.

Going up: travellers on the GWR
posted 5th November

The GWR continues to enjoy a glorious Autumn with a further increase in passenger numbers during October when compared with the same month last year.

Helped by the Steam & Vintage Gala, 5,042 ticket-carrying passengers were carried during October compared with 4,523 during the same month in 2006 – an increase of over 10 per cent. Year to date, the railway has carried 58,016 passengers (2006: 54,962).

“It’s been another great month for the GWR,” says head station master, Colin Dymock. “This puts us 5.5 per cent ahead of the same time last year.  I’m also delighted to say that ticket sales for our ever-popular Santa Specials are selling fast. Although there are still spaces on all services, some trains are now almost full.  Despite the loss of several days’ operation following the July floods, 2007 looks set to be another record year.”

During October, ticket sales at Cheltenham Race Course accounted for 23 per cent of the total.

GWR – Permanent Way Progress
posted 5th November

The latest report from the railway’s P-Way department is online here.

2008 Timetable
posted 2nd November

The website team are pleased to announce the online publication of the first cut of the 2008 timetable which is available to view here. It is still a provisional timetable so may change before the start of next season but we wanted to make it available as soon as possible.

Wrong number for race trains
posted 2nd November

With apologies for those trying to book special offer tickets for the race trains on November 16th and 17th the telephone number on which to book had a digit missing – the number is 0845 652 8888 (the ‘6’ was missing).  All other details remain the same as in our Latest News item of 30th October.