Our annual Diesel Gala promises to be a popular event with guest locomotives and a busy timetable!
2026 Diesel Gala - Friday 24th July to Sunday 26th July
The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway’s annual Diesel Gala returns for 2026, bringing together an impressive line-up of home fleet favourites and visiting locomotives for a weekend celebrating Britain’s diesel heritage. Whether you are a long-standing enthusiast, a photographer, or simply looking for a memorable day out, the Diesel Gala offers something for everyone.
Pathfinder Railtours Tribute – Sunday Only
On Sunday we pay a special tribute to Pathfinder Railtours, which ceased trading at the end of 2025 following its final excursion behind D1015 Western Champion.
Founded by Peter Watts in Gloucestershire in 1973, Pathfinder became one of Britain’s best-loved railtour operators, organising countless excursions across the national network for over fifty years.
20228, D6948 (37248), 47376, 27056, 26043 and D7018 have actually worked Pathfinder trains during their main line careers, making the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway a fitting venue for this tribute. Throughout Sunday, trains will carry original Pathfinder headboards from past tours, while visitors will have the opportunity to meet members of the former Pathfinder team, including Peter Watts, for what is expected to be their final appearance at the railway.
Join us on an official Pathfinder Sunday with a very special headboard display! Also, join us on a one off named railtour - The Broadway Greeter will depart Broadway with BR Class 45 No. 45149 at the helm at 14:15 to Cheltenham Racecourse and will return at 15:40. This dedicated train will carry a specially made headboard for this train which will be up for grabs in the raffle.
GWSR Family Ticket
Pathfinder Railtours presentation nameplate backed on wooden surround
Three individual small hampers
A diesel cab ride on the GWSR (Choose your loco!) Excluding class 20
GWSR Goody Bag
Pathfinder Railtour Booklets, including one from each decade
The Broadway Greeter headboard from the railtour on the Sunday
Railway 200 Limited Edition signed and mounted photograph by Jack Boskett
Around the Railway
Gotherington Station
The privately owned Gotherington station will once again be open throughout the gala, offering light refreshments, plus Savita's homemade curry, in its beautifully preserved surroundings. Visitors can also enjoy rides on the Wickham Trolley and try their hand on the traditional pump trolley.
Winchcombe Station
Inside the Tim Mitchell Building, visitors can enjoy Abbotswood & Norton Junction, a large professionally built OO gauge model railway created by Worcestershire modeller Phil Bullock.
The Signal and Telegraph Department workshop will also be open, while the ever-popular Gricers Grill will be serving refreshments on Platform 1.
Toddington Station
The heart of the gala will be Toddington, where visitors can:
Enjoy a range of real ales at the Cotswold Halt Bar.
Listen to live music from Timothy Hoad on Sunday.
Visit the Diesel Shed, featuring trade stands and model railways.
Ride the Narrow Gauge Railway throughout the weekend.
Explore the latest arrival to the railway – the preserved cab section of BR Class 47 No. 47355.
Intensive Locomotive Action
The gala will feature:
An intensive three-day timetable.
Frequent services across the railway.
Opportunities to travel behind every participating locomotive.
Double-headed workings and varied traction combinations.
BR Class 20 locomotives operating in multiple throughout the weekend.
The last train of the whole gala on Sunday 26th July will have all four Sulzer type 2 locomotives on the 18:15 from Broadway to Toddington
Visiting Locomotives
We are delighted to welcome the following visiting locomotives:
BR Class 27 No. 27056 – courtesy of the Northampton Type 2 Group.
BR Class 25 No. 25262 – courtesy of South Devon Diesel Traction Ltd.
BR Class 35 No. D7018 – courtesy of the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group.
Behind the Scenes
Your gala ticket also gives access to areas not normally open to the public, including:
The Diesel Shed at Toddington.
The Carriage and Wagon Works at Winchcombe.
The S&T works at Winchcombe
The recently acquired BR Class 47 No. 47355 cab section.
Getting Here
A free shuttle bus will operate between Cheltenham Spa railway station and Cheltenham Race Course station on Friday and Saturday, providing convenient connections for visitors arriving by rail.
Tickets and Pricing
One day tickets | Two day tickets | Three day tickets | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adult: | £ 36.00 | Adult 2 Day: | £ 58.00 | Adult 3 Day: | £ 79.00 |
Child | £ 17.00 | Child 2 Day: | £ 27.00 | Child 3 Day: | £ 37.00 |
Family | £ 98.00 | --/-- | -- | --/-- | -- |
Adult Late Entry | £ 28.00 | Child Late Entry: | £ 13.00 | Family Late Entry: | £ 75.00 |
We offer a range of one-day and multi-day tickets, available both in advance and on the day, subject to availability. The Diesel Gala is one of the railway’s most popular events, and advance booking is strongly recommended.
Book your tickets now and join us for three unforgettable days of classic diesel traction in the Cotswolds.
Important Information
Please note HRA, Shareholders, members and Off Peak passes are not accepted for this event
Bus & Rail Timetable
The Cotswold Diesel Gala Timetable is available to download here
The Shuttle Bus timetable is included in the train timetable above, however for those who would like a separate bus timetable from Cheltenham Racecourse to Cheltenham Spa mainline Station on Friday/Saturday only, it is available to download here
Real Ales on offer at Toddington
A list of ales available to purchase from the GWSR bar can be viewed here
