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NEWS FROM GLOUCESTERSHIRE WARWICKSHIRE STEAM RAILWAY National Railway Museum’s Green Arrow and City of Truro ride the GWR rails for the last time together, over August Bank Holiday weekend. Two of the National Railway Museum’s most famous steam locomotives will be working on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway (GWR) this weekend* – for the last time ever. Visitors to the 10-mile railway, between Cheltenham Racecourse and Toddington, have a last chance to ride on trains hauled by these engines. The pair are Great Western Railway record-breaker City of Truro (the first locomotive ever to reach 100mph, which it did over a century ago in 1904); and the London & North Eastern Railway’s Green Arrow, one of the most successful engines to run on the East Coast main line. Green Arrow is in its last year of operation before returning for permanent display in the National Railway Museum at York. Both engines will be working on all three days of the bank holiday weekend. Green Arrow then leaves the GWR for visits to other heritage railways before returning to York in November, while City of Truro remains on the GWR. “These two National Collection locomotives will, almost certainly, never be seen in steam together again,” says the GWR’s commercial director, Ian Crowder. “They are two of the nation’s best loved steam locomotives and it is a considerable honour to be hosting them here on the GWR.” Why are these engines so special? Green Arrow was the first of a large class of similar engines designed to handle perishable freight at high speed and was of advanced design. It’s now over 70 years old and needs an extensive overhaul. “When its current boiler certificate expires in November, it will almost certainly return to the Museum in York – smelling of polish, not of hot oil and steam,” says Ian. “That’s a real shame because it is a beautiful, powerful machine and when working hard, the music it makes is absolutely awesome. A sound that will never be heard in the Cotswolds again.” On the other hand, City of Truro is pure Edwardian elegance and was once a crack express locomotive on the Great Western Railway. It was built in 1903 and the following year, was recorded running at over 100mph with an Ocean Mails special between Plymouth and Bristol – the first engine ever to reach the magic ‘ton’, securing its survival for the nation. The engine is currently resident at Toddington but makes visits to other railways around the country. It has just returned from Lancashire. Last chance “It’s fantastic that both engines are on the GWR at the same time, just for a few days,” Ian points out. “They have rarely been seen together in the past but on 25th, 26th and 27th August, they are working normal train services on our railway. “It’s unlikely that the National Railway Museum will put Green Arrow back into working order in the foreseeable future – so this truly could be the last chance ever to enjoy both these wonderful engines together.” Normal train fares apply - £10 for adults, £8.50 for senior citizens and £6.00 for children aged 5 to 15 (under 5’s travel free). Family discounts available. For train times visit www.gwsr.com or telephone 01242 621 405. *Subject to availability |