Please either scroll down to find out what's going on or click the links to take you to the section you wish to read.  There are separate links that take you to supporting information

Welcome
Milestones...
Star performers - the eight locomotives appearing at the Festival
Timetable information to be read in conjunction with the working timetable
Events at Toddington
Events at Winchcombe
Events at Cheltenham Race Course
Fares
Lineside passes
Accommodation
Important notes about the Auto trailers

Welcome

Welcome to the 2008 Cotswold Festival of Steam presented by the volunteers of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway: 'The Friendly Line in the Cotswolds'.  The Festival takes place over two weekends:

Saturday, Sunday and Monday 24th-26th May
Saturday and Sunday, 31st May-1st June

Between the two weekends a normal Red Timetable will operate using visiting locomotives, on:

Tuesday to Friday, 27th-30th May

There's lots going on! While the main focus is on steam locomotives of course, on Sunday 1st June the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will make a flypast at Toddington with the Lancaster bomber and Hurricane and Spitfire fighters.

The RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Lancaster, Hurricane PZ865 and Spitfire AB910. Crown Copyright (Martin Bowman)

And there is lots to see and do at our stations.

Milestones

The 2008 cotswold Festival of Steam marks four important milestones:

40 years since the end of steam on British Railways
40 years since David Shepherd took delivery of 'Black Prince'
60 years since the nationalisation of Britain's railways
100 years since the first through expresses ran over the Stratford-Cheltenham line between the Midlands and the West Country

It's now 40 years since the last fires were dropped from the last steam locomotives in daily revenue-earning service on British Railways. It's an extraordinary testament to those who were determined that steam should not die that we are able to stage this Festival today.  One of those pioneers of railway preservation was artist and wildlife conservationist David Shepherd who bought eight-year-old 9F class 2-10-0 no. 92203 straight out of BR service.  In 1968 it travelled under its own steam from Crewe to Longmoor in Hampshire to start its life in private ownership.  David was on the footplate then and today, the locomotive he subsequently named Black Prince, is a resident on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.

BR 9F no 92203 - in typical grimy end-of-steam condition - captured in this evocative painting by David Shepherd

David Shepherd will be at the railway to celebrate that milestone on Sunday 1st June when the RAF Memorial Flight will also make a flypast.

Going back further in time, it is 60 years since the railways were nationalised although for a long time, the railways carried on much as before.  British Railways introduced a range of new 'Standard' steam locomotives, including the 9F class such as no. 92203. Under BR's ownership, thousands of miles of railway line were closed, including the Stratford-Cheltenham line over part of which the present-day GWR runs.  It also oversaw modernisation of the network, spelling the end of steam and bringing an early demise for hundreds of the nearly-new Standard steam locomotive classes.

And a century ago, the newly-built Great Western line between Stratford and Cheltenham saw the first fast services between the West Midlands and the West Country, which later included 'The Cornishman' express .  For a full summary of the GWR's history you can visit our chronology here.

Star performers!

Undoubtedly the star visitor to this year's Festival is Southern Railway Lord Nelson class 4-6-0 no. 850 Lord Nelson.

Lord Nelson, resplendent in SR 'Sunshine' livery captured by Brian Harrington at the West Somerset Railway shortly after the locomotive's latest overhaul was completed.

This magnificent engine is owned by the National Railway Museum and was, when built in 1926, the most powerful locomotive of its type in the UK. It is joined by City of Truro, also owned by the NRM.  Now 105 years old, 3440 was the first locomotive in the world to be recorded travelling at over 100mph. There's a magnificent range of resident and visiting locomotives to feast your eyes and ears on and to enjoy too - in fact, eight altogether!  Here's the full line up including the direction each is pointing.

So here they are (in numerical order). 'North' and 'South' indicates which direction each locomotive is pointing.

SR Lord Nelson class 4-6-0 no. 850 Lord Nelson - south
GWR City class 4-4-0 no. 3440 City of Truro - south
GWR 'small Prairie' 2-6-2T no. 5542 - north (with auto trailers 163 & 178 pointing driving cab south)
GWR 5600 class 0-6-2T no. 5619 - south
BR(W) Modified Hall class 4-6-0 no. 7903 Foremarke Hall - north
SR West Country pacific no. 34007 Wadebridge - north
LMS 4F 0-6-0 no. 44422 - south
BR 9F class 2-10-0 no. 92203 Black Prince - north

850 Lord Nelson

Origin: Southern Railway, Eastleigh, 1926
Type: Lord Nelson class 4-6-0 designed by R E L Maunsell - the first of just 16 powerful express locomotives designed to handle the heaviest services from London to the south coast and south-west holiday destinations.  All were named after Admirals and other personalities associated with the Royal Navy, emphasising the Southern Railway's maritime connections. Owned by the National Railway Museum, the locomotive was restored to working order in the 1980s and has since been overhauled by the Eastleigh Railway Preservation Society at its Eastleigh birthplace. The class were the most powerful 4-6-0s in Britain at the time of their introduction and legend has it that their appearance prompted the GWR to develop the more powerful King class.  The class didn't fulfil early expectations in terms of performance but there is no doubt that modifications carried out by Maunsell's successor, Bulleid, brought significant improvement.  Even so, their performance remained patchy - while certainly capable of hauling the SR's heaviest trains at speeds in excess of 90mph, they had a reputation for being difficult to fire.  There were several variations within the class which, because of their small numbers, never realised their full potential, especially as Bulleid's new pacifics were being introduced, such as West Country class no. 34007 Wadebridge, which is also appearing at the Festival.

Lord Nelson was retained for the National Collection and enjoyed a 10-year spell on the main from 1980 following overhaul at Carnforth. The latest protracted and extensive overhaul was completed by the Eastleigh Railway Preservation Society at the locomotive's birthplace, Eastleigh, at the end of 2006 and it went on to put in some good main line performances although this renaissance proved short-lived. Late last year, leaks developed in the firebox leading to the engine's temporary withdrawal for repairs at York, which have just been completed - the engine passing its latest steam test on 11th May. The engine was expected to be delivered to Toddington over the weekend of 17th-18th May and should remain on the GWR for two months.

Normally based at the National Railway Museum

Freshly out of overhaul, SR Lord Nelson with a loaded test run at Wennington in March 2007 (Michael Howkins)

3440 City of Truro

Origin: Great Western Railway, 1903
Type: This City class 4-4-0 express passenger locomotive survives because it is credited with being the first man-made machine to exceed 100mph, in 1904 - thus earning its place in the history books.  A lightweight, outside-framed design - G J Churchward's first triumphant design at Swindon Works - it worked the Great Western Railway's fastest expresses during the early years of the last century. It was one of the first locomotives to be acquired for the National Railway Museum, in 1935.  This is the third period of use the engine has enjoyed since then. Much has been written about the City class locomotives in general and City of Truro in particular, especially surrounding its astonishing dash down Wellington bank in Somerset with an ocean mails train in 1904, when it was just one year old. You can find

out more by reading our review of the film City of Truro 102.3 by Oakwood Video Library (who have a display at the Festival). The review goes into the history of the class and its association with the Plymouth boat trains and includes some fascinating photographs of City class locomotives in their heyday. These 4-4-0s had a relatively short period of glory however: as Great Western trains grew heavier newer 4-6-0 types pushed them on to lighter cross-country duties. The City class was extinct by 1930 as were the Atbara class from which the design was developed.  No doubt the Great Western, not noted for sentimentality, would have put City of Truro under the cutter's torch along with its sisters if it were not for the intervention of the LNER which was establishing the National Railway Museum at York and bought it for the nation.

Normally based at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway although visits other lines from time to time

City of Truro passing under Hailes Bridge with a Cheltenham-bound train (Paul Stratford)

'Small Prairie' no. 5542

Origin: Great Western Railway, Swindon, 1928
Type: 4575 class 2-6-2 tank locomotive designed for light freight and passenger work, this engine was at one time based at Cheltenham Malvern Road. Owned by Locomotive 5542 Ltd, it is equipped (as some of the class were) to work  auto trailers and will be working with two trailers over the Festival, propelling the coaches towards Cheltenham

and hauling them back to Toddington.  5542 is currently based on the GWR for the second year in succession, following an extensive 'bottom-end' overhaul at the south Davon Railway during the winter months - this included new tyres throughout. The class was a familiar sight over the lines radiating out of Cheltenham and often worked local passenger trains between Cheltenham and Honeybourne, particularly school trains which were sometimes loaded to three or four coaches - rather than the usual single auto trailer and 1400 class 0-4-2 tank locomotives.

Normally based at the West Somerset Railway, on long-term loan to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.

Small Prairie no. 5542 with auto trailer no. 178 at Didbrook (Paul Stratford)

Auto trailers no. 163 and 178

The Great Western Railway built many of these auto trailers (these in 1929 and 1930 respectively) for use on branch lines and other local train services, including Cheltenham to Honeybourne (known locally as the 'coffee pot' service). They avoided the need for the engine to be uncoupled and 'run round' at each end of a journey. The coaches each have a driving compartment, with controls mechanically linked to the locomotive so that when the train is being propelled it can be driven from the front. They have a combination of bench seats and seating bays, with a capacity of 72 seated passengers and a small luggage compartment. Please note: station staff will politely limit the number of passengers to 80 in each coach so please bear with us if the coaches are full!

5619

Origin: Great Western Railway, Swindon, 1925
Type: Powerful '5600' class 0-6-2 tank locomotive designed to handle coal traffic in South Wales, although were used

 on local passenger trains as well. This locomotive spent its entire working life in South Wales until withdrawn in 1964. Bought from Barry scrapyard by the Telford Steam Railway (the 40th to depart from there) it was restored to working order in 1981. It has since been overhauled again, at The Flour Mill workshops in the Forest of Dean and returned to service this year. There's a full profile of the class, and 5619 in particular, which you can see by clicking here

Normally based at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway although the locomotive is managed by The Flour Mill

0-6-2T no. 5619, fresh from its latest overhaul, rests at Toddington water tower (Jack Boskett)

7903 Foremarke Hall

Origin: British Railways Western Region, Swindon, 1949
Type: Modified Hall class 4-6-0, the Hawksworth-designed version of Collett's highly successful Hall class.  They worked everything from local passenger services, goods, parcels and express trains and were certainly regular performers over the Cheltenham to Stratford line.  330 Hall and Modified Hall locomotives were built, the last of them (including Foremarke Hall) being delivered by British Railways after nationalisation. No. 7903 spent most of its working life at London's Old Oak Common and is credited with a sparkling performance on a Paddington-Plymouth express, deputising for a failed 'Castle' class, during the 1950s. It completed the journey in less than four hours, for the first time after the Wat.  Owned by the Foremarke Hall Trust, the engine spend 25 years during restoration from a Barry scrap yard hulk and is currently the only Hawksworth Modified Hall class locomotive currently in working order. You can read more about the Hall and Modified Hall class locomotives by clicking here.

Normally based at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway

Modified Hall no. 7903 Foremarke Hall leaves Winchcombe with a winter service for Toddington (Andrew Bell)

34007 Wadebridge

Origin: Southern Railway, Brighton, 1945
Type: Un-rebuilt West Country class 4-6-2, this unconventional class was designed by O V S Bulleid during the war. They were intended as mixed traffic locomotives and were developed from the larger Merchant Navy class.  Despite their size they had wide route availability and could be found traversing some of the Southern's Cornish branch lines, such as to Padstow. They incorporated many novel features including chain driven valve gear, operating within a totally enclosed oil bath. Most were rebuilt to more conventional form by British Railways but a few survived as built including 34007, the rebuilding programme being abandoned as the railways decided to opt for electric and diesel traction. Owned by Wadebridge (34007) Locomotive Limited, it returned to steam two years ago after a 25-year overhaul at the Bodmin & Wenford Railway and is the oldest surviving member of the class.

Normally based at the Mid-Hants Railway although the Bodmin & Wenford is the locomotive's 'spiritual' home.  The engine remains on the GWR until mid-June.

SR West Country class no. 34007 Wadebridge departing from Winchcombe (Paul Stratford)

44422

Origin: London Midland & Scottish Railway, Derby, 1927
Type: Class 4F 0-6-0, this Fowler designed mixed-traffic locomotive was a development of an earlier Midland Railway design and were produced in huge numbers.  44422 was built at Derby and spent many years on the much-loved Somerset & Dorset Railway before being transferred to Gloucester, when it may well have occasionally worked over the Stratford-Cheltenham line as the end of steam approached. Owned by the 44422 Locomotive Fund, this is the first visit of a member of the class to the GWR since British Railways days.

Normally based at Churnet Valley Railway but currently at the Llangollen Railway

4F 0-6-0 no. 44422 at Froghall on the Churnet Valley Railway (Rail37.com)

92203 Black Prince

Origin: British Railways, Swindon, 1959
Type: Standard class 9F 2-10-0, one of the last of 251 to be built for heavy freight traffic and could be found throughout the UK. 92203 was the 17th to last steam locomotive built for British Railways (92220 Evening Star was the last, that locomotive now in the care of the National Railway Museum). It was first delivered to Bath where it worked over the Somerset & Dorset Railway, before moving north to Birkenhead, where it worked iron ore traffic - just the sort of work it was designed for. But despite being indended for freight, they found themselves in charge of passenger trains on occasions, usually deputising for a failed express locomotive.  In such a role they on more than one occasion proved themselves capable of speeds exceeding 90mph.

The BR Modernisation Plan meant that the class had a lamentably short life, 92203 working for little more than eight years before being bought by artist and wildlife conservationist David Shepherd (who will be visiting the railway on 1 June). Following purchase, the engine was delivered under its own steam to the embryonic Longmoor Military Railway preservation centre (now closed) in 1968 and named Black Prince, moving to several centres before taking up residence at Toddington.  During the second weekend of the Festival the engine will appear in its BR condition when delivered to David Shepherd: without nameplates and embellishments on the front picked out in white. David will symbolically 'fit the nameplates' at a ceremony on 1st June.

Normally based at Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway

BR class 9F 2-10-0 near Didbrook with a freight (Paul Stratford)

Timetable

A comprehensive variety of trains including double-heading, freight, auto-trailer locals between Toddington and Winchcombe as well as a variety of trains over the full length of the line: plenty to enjoy so make sure you make the most of your visit! Click here for the timetable and use this legend to find out what locomotives will be working each day.  There will be a spare locomotive on each of the weekend days, which will be available for inspection in the station car park.

Update 29th May: 850 Lord Nelson has been sidelined following leaks from its firebox foundation ring and this means it will not again appear in steam during the Festival. 850 is, therefore, now the 'spare' locomotive and it will be placed on the unoading track in the car park at Toddington for public inspection. 3440 City of Truro takes 850's place on Saturday and 5619 on Sunday. We and the National Railway Museum apologise for the obvious disappointment that the failure of Lord Nelson will bring.  All other turns remain the same.

During the week (27th to 30th May) the following locomotives will be used, to the Red timetable. A is the 10.30 departure from Toddington and every other service; B is the 11.15 departure from Toddington, alternating with diagram A.

Note: All locomotives and timetable diagrams subject to availability and change

Toddington

Preservation projects and stands will be strongly present in the car park at Toddington - please browse around and enjoy!

On the 'unloading road' the chassis of GWR 2-8-0 no. 2807 will be on display with an opportunity to find out more about this pioneering Great Western class.  This centenarian engine is owned by the award-winning Cotswold Steam Preservation and expected to steam at the end of the year after a quarter-century restoration at Toddington. The boiler is currently at Llangollen being overhauled and the chassis will follow soon after the Festival, where the locomotive will be assembled. After steam testing, it should return to the GWR early in 2009. Also on the unloading road there will be an opportunity to visit one of the engines not in use on that day.
Refreshments will be available in the Flag & Whistle tea rooms as well as outside catering facilities. Refreshments also available on most train services, except the auto train.

The RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be flying by on Sunday 1st June at about 3pm with the Lancaster bomber and Hurricane and Spitfire fighters.  This flypast was organised in conjunction with David Shepherd following a visit by the Flight's staff to enjoy a day on Black Prince last December.

Wings over Toddington: Lancaster, Hurricane PZ865 and Spitfire AB910 will thrill on 1st June. Crown Copyright (Martin Bowman)

Over both weekends, the North Gloucestershire Narrow Gauge Railway will be operating services from its station on the opposite side of the car park to the standard-gauge railway.

You can also visit the Garden Centre - there is an entrance opposite the station building.

And don't miss the opportunity to visit the Railway Archiving Trust's Collet coach in the bay platform, next to their recently-overhauled hand-crane. There is also a display in the restored building next to platform 2.

Winchcombe

The GWR's acclaimed Carriage & Wagon Department will be hosting visits within the former goods shed. Here the railways rolling stock is restored and overhauled.  Demonstrations will be taking place and you can compare restored and unrestored 50-year-old Mk. 1 coaches.

There will be opportunities for footplate visits in the bay on platform 2 during both weekends while engines are laid over between duties.

Refreshments will be on offer in the main station building.

And in the Travelling Post Office coach in the bay on platform 1 there is an intriguing display of historic Hornby model railways.

This will be a great place to while away an hour or so - the station (the main building of which once stood at Monmouth Troy) will be very busy with through trains, freights and local services.

Cheltenham Race Course

Signalbox visits will be taking place throughout each day and if you want to find out more about our signalling and how it works, you can visit this special website dedicated to the Exminster signalbox.  Although the signalbox at Cheltenham is brand new, the lever frame is genuine Great Western and once controlled the line at Whiteball in Somerset.

Between services, a locomotive will be laying over at Cheltenham and you can visit the footplate and perhaps enjoy a footplate ride within station limits.

The original Swindon-built booking hall - at the top of the ramp - is well worth a visit.  It is a prefabricated design that has been beautifully restored. Inside is a range of artefacts including the stone unveiled by HRH The Princess Royal when she re-opened the station.

Light refreshments will be available at the station, those at platform level being run by the owners of small Prairie no. 5542.

And don't miss the wonderful water colour paintings by Frederick Lea GRA who is displaying a variety of pictures of railway and non-railway subjects in the platform waiting room. You will be able to buy prints and cards, limited-edition prints and even commission an original! Frederick is the GWR's 'resident' artist.  Also in the waiting room will be examples of David Andrews' Gauge '0' models and model kits.

Fares

Through the lens...lineside passes

If you are a photographer aged 18 or over you are welcome to take photographs from the lineside provided you hold either an annual or day lineside pass.  You must not enter GWR property without one.  You must also wear a clean high-visibility jacket (buy one in the station shop at Toddington!) and use agreed access points to reach GWR property.  You must not under any circumstances enter Greet tunnel - besides, it is haunted (yes, really!).  Please obey any instructions from GWR staff.  When a train approaches please acknowledge any whistle sounded from the locomotive. Day pass costs just £10.00 from Toddington booking office.

Accommodation

If you want to stay near the railway, you will be spoiled for choice - there is plenty of variety from family bed -and breakfast, farm houses, self catering and hotels ranging from small family-run establishments to fine four- and five-star establishments. You can find out more by contacting the Tourist Information offices in Cheltenham, http://www.visitcheltenham.com/ which has a useful online free booking service (or telephone 01242 517110). You can also contact Tewkesbury tourist information office at 01684 295027 or Winchcombe tourist information office at 01242 602925. Broadway tourist information also offers comprehensive online booking service with links to hundreds of places to stay, at http://www.cotswolds.info/hotels-lodgings-pubs-inns-cottages.shtml

But here is a small selection you could try:
Old Station House, Greet, Winchcombe GL54 5LD - this is the original station master's house right next to Winchcombe station and only a few feet from the line. Contact Jenny Collier on 01242 602283 or old_station_house@hotmail.com

Irely Grounds, Broadway Road, Winchcombe GL54 5NY - set just outside Winchcombe on the road to Toddington, this is a country house with four self-catering cottages available for weekend or longer bookings. Only five minutes walk from Winchcombe station and next to the railway. Contact Mrs Galpin on 01242 602603 or visit http://www.stableyardcottages.com

Oaklands, 16 Gretton Road, Winchcombe GL54 5EG - a family-run guest house close to Winchcombe village centre and a 15-minute walk from Winchcombe station. Welcoming accommodation, suitable for disabled visitors and you can even bring your pet! Contact Mr & Mrs Anderson on 01242 602272 or visit http://www.oaklandsbedandbreakfast.activehotels.com

The Royal Hop Pole, Church Street, Tewkesbury - in the centre of historic Tewkesbury and a short drive from Toddington, Winchcombe and Cheltenham. 29 en-suite rooms and a lovely beamed restaurant and a bar with a selection of real ales. AA 3-star. Telephone 01684 293236 or visit http://www.royalhoppole.co.uk or email info@royalhoppole.co.uk.

Please mention the GWR if you contact any of the above.
Please note that the GWR accepts no responsibility for the content or availability of external websites. The brief accommodation listing above is not an exhaustive list, and should not be taken as an endorsement by the GWR of any of the properties listed.

Important notes about auto trailers 163 and 178

There is no additional fare chargeable to travel on the auto train.  The capacity of each coach is strictly limited to 80 people (including 8 standing) out of respect for these historic vehicles. Please respect instructions from station staff who will strictly, but politely, ensure the maximum capacity is not exceeded - please bear with us! Please do not consume any food or drink while on board.  There are no toilets on the auto train.