An American in the Cotswolds
posted 28th October 2006

During 2007, the GWR will receive a long-term visit by USATC* S160 2-8-0 no. 5197 from the Churnet Valley Railway. The engine – built at the Lima locomotive works in Ohio in 1945 – is expected to arrive at the end of February and will remain until the end of October.

This is the second time a member of the class has visited the line; some readers may remember that the Mid-Hants Railway’s S160, no. 3278 Franklin D Roosvelt visited about 10 years ago.

No. 5197’s arrival will be a reminder that these brash American locomotives played a vital part in meeting the ailing transport needs of Britain, mainland Europe and elsewhere towards the end of World War 2 and its aftermath.

They were quite different from anything that had run in the UK before and the class, for a couple of years at least, was a familiar sight over the line on which the present-day GWR now operates. They drew attention to themselves with their battleship-grey livery; their mournful American chime whistle, the unusual sounds from air pump and safety valves and,  to English eyes, their crude appearance.

But they disappeared as quickly as they came, being shipped to mainland Europe following the D-Day invasion of France. No 5197, in fact, never ran in the UK. It was one of a batch that was exported direct to China in 1946 where it worked until 1995. It was brought to the UK from a colliery complex, overhauled at Llangollen and returned to traffic in 1998. Now owned by Greg Wilson, no 5197 is normally based at the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire. It is currently finished in USATC gloss black.

To find out more about the interesting history of these unusual locomotives, click here for a special News Extra article.

*United States Army Transportation Corps

Rocket powered?
posted 26th October 2006

Remember remember the 4th of November and the special train from Toddington to the celebrated Round Table fireworks display at Cheltenham Racecourse. This year marks the 401st anniversary of the attempt by Guido Fawkes to blow up Parliament and with it, King James 1 of England. The fireworks display is described as the 'biggest in the South West' and it is sure to attract several thousand people once again, most of whom arrive by car. Of course, that means traffic jams - especially after the show is over! You can miss those jams by going by train!

As the event falls this year during the Diesel Gala, the train will be powered by Class 47 diesel 47105 - which benefits from a steam heat boiler so you shouldn't get cold during the journey! It departs from Toddington at 18:00 on Saturday 4th November, in plenty of time for the first blue touch paper to be lit at 19:15. Normal train fares apply and these do not include entry into the fireworks display, which costs £4.00 for adults and £3.00 for children.

The return service departs Cheltenham Race Course station, which is less than five minutes' walk from the racecourse itself, at 20:30. Just turn up at Toddington - no need to book. Click here for more information.

Santas update
posted 26th October 2006

Places for our popular Santa Specials are filling up fast. All trains on the 24th of December are now full, but there are places on the other days. Click here for more details, and a booking form. You can also book by telephone. You are advised to book as early as possible, to avoid disappointment.

The throb of diesels in the Cotswolds
posted 24th October 2006

The next in the GWR's series of acclaimed diesel galas takes place over the weekend of the 4th and 5th of November and the working timetable is available now - click here to see it (this is a PDF file). The event will contain the usual exciting mix of double heading, local and goods trains. Everything that can run will run, including the former Southern Region class 73 Electro Diesel which normally works the railway's Permanent Way train. You can read more about the Class 73s and the class 47 diesels of which the GWR has two examples, in our News Extra features here and here.

It's worth remembering that diesel-hauled passenger trains have pretty much disappeared off the national network. Quietly, class 37, 47 and so forth have given way to the likes of multiple units, Virgin Voyagers and HSTs. Even after the end of steam, many rail travellers would instinctively look at the locomotive, 'to see what was hauling the train'...and those days are gone.

Pay a visit to the GWR over the weekend of the 4th and 5th of November and you can relive those days. And you can discover why Class 37s are nicknamed 'growlers'!

Notes: Please remember that the working timetable is provided “as is”, primarily for working volunteers, and is subject to change without notice. Normal fares (£9.50 adults, £8.00 for senior citizens and £6.00 children aged 5-15) apply to one return journey only during the Gala. Special day rover tickets are available at £15.00 for adults and £12.00 for senior citizens and children, offering unlimited travel on the day of issue - fantastic value for the range of motive power on offer! Please note that the day rover on Saturday does not include that evening's Fireworks Special.

A brush with steam for Chevron volunteers
posted 18th October 2006

Staff from local oil company Chevron Global Lubricants spent a day helping out the GWR recently.

The initiative was organised by the local charity, Cheltenham Volunteer Centre and involved a team of Chevron’s staff repainting the car park fence at Toddington. Bob Stark, chairman of the GWR’s Cheltenham Area Group, who helped to organise the event, said: “Volunteers are the lifeblood of our railway. It’s all very well rebuilding a much-loved line that closed back in 1979 – but it needs constant maintenance. It seems that everyone enjoyed their day with us and I hope there will be plenty of opportunities for similar projects to help in the future – for example, on the extension north to Broadway.”

It is anticipated that the Chevron team will continue to volunteer for the GWR to the extent that the team members have become signed up GWR members. Chevron Oil spokesman Brain Hayes said: “This event is the first opportunity that Chevron in the UK has had to participate in our Chevron global ‘Week of Caring’ initiative. Over 6,000 Chevron employees in 28 countries have volunteered to give up their time to put something back into the community.

“Working with the GWR is just a beginning and volunteers who couldn’t attend this time want to attend on a future date.”

The event is backed by the new Gloucestershire Employer Supported Volunteering Network which provides opportunity brokerage to employers seeking to benefit their communities.

Cheltenham Volunteer Centre can be reached on 01242 257727, or online by visiting www.volunteeringcheltenham.org.uk

Photographs copyright Ian Crowder.

Bachmann Collectors’ Club members meet ‘Black Prince’
posted 17th October 2006

Members of The Bachmann Collectors’ Club met up with 9F class 2-10-0 No. 92203 ‘Black Prince’ at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway on Sunday 8th October. The visit coincided with the recent release of the limited edition model of ‘Black Prince’ OO gauge model for members of the Bachmann Collectors’ Club.

‘Black Prince’ owner David Shepherd was on the footplate and during the day was presented with a model of ‘Black Prince’ in a presentation case and a boxed example containing certificate No. 1 of the 504 produced. Garry Owen, Chairman of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway Plc, also received a presentation model of ‘Black Prince’ on behalf of the railway for hosting the event.

During the ceremony Dennis Lovett, Public Relations Manager for Bachmann, handed over a cheque for £5,040.00 to David Shepherd, Founder and President of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation. This represented a £10 donation from each of the 504 models sold. Dennis was able to tell the large crowd on the platform at Toddington station that “all 504 limited edition ‘Black Prince’ model had been sold in four weeks, creating a new Collectors’ Club record”. The money raised will continue the work of the Foundation ensuring that endangered species are protected for future generations to enjoy.

‘Black Prince’ worked two additional trains to Cheltenham Racecourse at 1330 and 1530 much to the delight of Club members and railway visitors alike.

There was a display of new and forthcoming models from Bachmann on the platform at Toddington station which generated considerable interest. Bachmann staff were on hand to answer the many questions asked.

Dennis Lovett said: “The launch of ‘Black Prince’ gave us the opportunity to support a very worthwhile charity that works with those who are protecting endangered animals across the world. David is very passionate about both wildlife and steam locomotives and it has been a pleasure to work with him on this project.

“The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway welcomed us with open arms and provided excellent facilities for Bachmann Collectors’ Club members to enjoy a great day out. It has also taken our products on to the platforms of one the nations leading heritage railways and generated considerable interest amongst visitors to the railway, who are not normally in contact what is happening in the world of model railways”.

Santa Specials filling fast
posted 13th October 2006

Santa and his helpers, in 2005

Christmas might not be on everyone’s minds quite yet, but Father Christmas has confirmed that he will be visiting his favourite heritage railway once again this year. Over all weekends in December and on Friday 22nd, steam trains will run from Toddington to Winchcombe so families can visit him in his grotto. All children receive a high quality gift and refreshments are offered at Winchcombe. Once labelled by BBC Midlands Today as ‘the best Father Christmas experience in the Midlands’, this has become a must for many families, some of whom come many miles just for the experience.

But don’t leave it too late. Already, two days are fully booked and others are filling up fast.

Don’t delay; click here for full details and a downloadable booking form.

Centenary Christmas Cracker!
posted 11th October 2006

The GWR will be seeing out its 25th anniversary year and the Centenary of the opening of the line by the Great Western with a steam spectacular on the 30th and 31st of December.

Just the way to work off excess Christmas pudding, visitors will be able to enjoy our acclaimed mix of local passenger, freight and double heading through the winter wonderland of Gloucestershire.

Locomotives in steam (subject to availability, of course) will be:

• Hunslet 0-6-0ST King George, back from its long-term hire to the East Anglian Railway Museum.
• 3440 City of Truro, also back at Toddington from its travels up and down the country (it is currently at the Bluebell Railway in Sussex)
• 4936 Kinlet Hall is also expected to return before Christmas following some main line work and visits to the Mid-Hants Railway and Barrow Roundhouse
• 7903 Foremarke Hall, which as reliably performed throughout the year
• 35005 Canadian Pacific, now back at Toddington following a six-week stay at the Great Central Railway at Loughborough. This will be the locomotive’s last working day on the GWR as it returns to the Mid-Hants in January.
• 92203 Black Prince, David Shepherd’s pride and joy.

More details will appear soon – so keep an eye on Latest News! Remember to put this date-not-to-be-missed in your diary!

P & O Progress Report
posted 11th October 2006

You can read the latest 35006 P & O progress report here. Remember to check out the Site Updates page for information about recent changes to gwsr.com (there’s also a link from the front page of this site).

Model steam saves tigers
posted 3rd October 2006, updated 6th October 2006

A special wildlife and steam event is taking place at Toddington station, on Sunday 8th October. Artist and wildlife conservationist, David Shepherd, will be at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway with his beloved steam locomotive, ‘Black Prince’. He will be presented with the first of a new limited-edition series of working ‘00’ gauge models of the engine – and a cheque to help conserve tigers in Asia.

During the day, the model railway manufacturer Bachmann is unveiling a special model of David’s mighty 9F class locomotive, ‘Black Prince’. Bachmann’s director Dennis Lovett, will also present David Shepherd with a cheque for £5040 – representing £10 for each for the first 504 limited-edition models sold – for his wildlife foundation which specialises in conserving endangered species.

Mr Shepherd rescued his mighty 9F class locomotive from British Railways in 1968 and it now regularly operates on our Toddington to Cheltenham line.

Visitors will be welcome to attend the event. The presentation takes place at 12.30 – ‘Black Prince’ will then take two round trips to Cheltenham departing Toddington at 13.30 and 15 .30, for which normal train fares apply. Modified Hall class no. 7903 ‘Foremarke Hall’ will also be working on Sunday. For full details click here for the loco roster.

Models of Bachmann’s 9F class model locomotives are available from the Toddington Station shop.

Going out on a high note
posted 2nd October 2006

We are pleased to announce that gwsr.com came fourth in the biennial HRA Websites Competition, up from 7th two years ago. The Crich Tramway Village was the runaway winner, but the remainder of the top 5 placings were closely packed. You can view the full results here.

We are also pleased to announce that Steve George will be taking over the role of GWSR Webmaster, responsible for the design and production of most things related to gwsr.com. Hopefully he will be able to provide the impetus to produce an even better website in the years to come.

Dave Robinson, who has held that position for the last 3 years and is responsible for the current website, will continue to maintain it for the next few months, whilst he and Steve work together to produce a new site, hopefully in time for the 2007 season.

Start of the month
posted 1st October 2006

Our regular visitors will know that the start of the month brings a new caption competition. Click here to visit the new competition. So who won the September competition? Well, there were an incredible 143 entries, and the winner was Rob Falconer. Well done Rob! To see the full results of September’s competition, click here.

Also, thanks to the excellent efforts of Richard Johnson, we have published another comprehensive report from the Carriage & Wagon Department. Click here to read it. If you enjoy reading these reports, why not let Richard know by emailing him at “candw” (at gwsr.com)?

Click here to return to the News Archive.