On Friday night the floodlights revealed the white canvas of several marquees as well as growing numbers of traction engines (steam-powered demonstrations, such as the sawbench in the picture below and steam ploughing), commercial vehicles, tractors and other exhibits for the Steam and Vintage Gala over the weekend of 11th and 12th October.  This is going to be a cracking event at its new Cheltenham Racecourse venue. Follow the AA signs for car parking!

Please note that a special timetable is operating on the GWR during this event and you can see the departure times from Cheltenham and Toddington stations on our loco roster by clicking here.  On Saturday, two engines are working - Great Western 56xx class 0-6-2T no. 5619 and David Shepherd's 9F class 2-10-0 no. 92203 Black Prince.  On Sunday, these two engines will again be working but with the addition of Modified Hall class 4-6-0 no. 7903 Foremarke Hall which is in charge of the Elegant Excursions Sunday Luncheon dining train (which is fully booked).

In summary, public train times are:

From Toddington 09.30; 10.30; 11.30; 13.00; 14.15; 15.15; 16.35
From Winchcombe (to Cheltenham) 09.40; 10.40; 11.40; 13.10; 14.25; 15.25; 16.45

From Cheltenham Racecourse 10.15; 11.15; 12.15; 14.00; 15.00; 16.00; 17.20
From Winchcombe (to Toddington) 10.42; 11.42; 12.42; 14.27; 15.27; 16.22; 17.42