Despite disappointing weather, the credit crunch and predictions that the cost of petrol would discourage days out, the GWR seems to be bucking the trend.  At the end of July, ticket sales were just short of 33,000 compared with 32,000 at the same time last year. Until now, numbers were trailing by around 2,000 - largely because there was no 'Day Out with Thomas' during the Spring.

Helping to boost visitor numbers was the diesel gala and bus rally, which attracted 1,000 passengers - more than double the number carried at the equivalent event last year.  It also seems as if the days of taking an outing by coach and UK coach holidays are on the up as the GWR is becoming an increasingly popular stop-off visit in the Cotswolds.

Says head station master Colin Dymock: "We are currently 2.8 per cent up on last year although, of course, the aftermath of the summer floods in 2007 saw our railway lose six days of revenue.

"This year the weather may well have played a part too - but positively, as many visitors staying locally over the weekend of 12th and 13th July were looking for things to do after the Fairford International Air Tattoo was cancelled because of heavy rain.

Adds Colin: "This is a good position to be in - the latter part of the season was very good for the GWR last year and we're working hard to ensure that will be repeated during 2008."

Nearly a third (28%) of ticket sales were from Cheltenham Race Course station.