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GWSR Cotswold Festival of Steam 'Cheltenham & Gloucester Steam Days' 12-14 May

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by flying scotsman123, Jan 21, 2023.

  1. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    We're pleased to announce this year's gala theme is...
    'Cheltenham & Gloucester Steam Days'

    60f5c23f-b6cd-429c-86b3-9d8e76ff043f.jpg

    This year we look a little closer to home for our inspiration, as we celebrate the railways of Gloucestershire. Gloucester has been a major railway hub since the mid 1800s and over the years Gloucester and the nearby spa town of Cheltenham have seen a vast variety engines from all 4 'Big Four' companies, as well as generations of prestigious named trains and expresses.
    Join us over the 12th-14th May 2023 as we bring a steam spectacular of visiting guest stars that worked the local area, named expresses and local trains, shunting and goods trains, all run to an intensive timetable. Plus there will be traction engines, railwayana displays, traders, food and drink, miniature and narrow gauge railway rides and much more besides. A weekend of steam not to be missed!
    Stayed tuned for our first gala guest engine announcement this evening! Tickets and further info to follow
     
  2. WesternRegionHampshireman

    WesternRegionHampshireman Well-Known Member

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    I swear the theme had already been announced?
    Anyway, it does look amazing, I hope we see something B&GR based.
    Just what I need before I go to the US. :)
     
  3. Ben Jenden

    Ben Jenden Member

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    75014 "Braveheart" announced as first guest.
     
  4. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Indeed, courtesy of Dartmouth Steam Railway Standard 4 75014 Braveheart will be joining us for the first few months of the running season including the gala (effectively plugging the gap between 4270 being withdrawn and 2807 coming back into service later in the year) on a rare outing away from its home railway. BR standard 4s were regulars around the Gloucester area in steam days, so it fits nicely with our theme too.

    Std 4.jpg
     
    Gareth, 49010, Diamond Gaz and 14 others like this.
  5. Kje7812

    Kje7812 Part of the furniture

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    Tempted though I will have to get a hotel as I'll have moved further away by that point.
     
  6. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

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    Big "like" for that one. Excellent choice!
     
  7. WesternRegionHampshireman

    WesternRegionHampshireman Well-Known Member

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    So I'm guessing that because of all the attractions that are happening this year, that this is going to be similar to last years?
    4 visitors + Home fleet/75014?
     
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  8. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Similar sort of scale to last and previous years yes, although of course we're always building on what we've done before to improve and keep it fresh and interesting.
     
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  9. WesternRegionHampshireman

    WesternRegionHampshireman Well-Known Member

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    Personally, I think this is interesting enough:
    8 railway engines in steam.
    Line-up of road engines.
    Loads of kiosks selling different stuff.
    Narrow gauge railway in service.
    Gotherington house open to the public.
    Vintage bus service.

    Even the theme is interesting, being a local one, how many other railways do that? :eek:
     
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  10. Britfoamer

    Britfoamer Well-Known Member

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    Takes me back to my train spotting days as a youth, this loco regularly worked Liverpool - Rochdale trains via Bury Knowsley Street (now the ski slope on the ELR). Useful good looking clean lines locomotive, lot to like.
     
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  11. Adam Tandy

    Adam Tandy Member

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    4079 Pendennis Castle has just been announced as the 2nd guest loco, courtesy of the Great Western Society (Didcot). This year's gala is shaping up to be an absolute corker!
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2023
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  12. Andy B

    Andy B Member

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    And more still to come!
     
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  13. Kje7812

    Kje7812 Part of the furniture

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    I'd better book that hotel room then.
     
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  14. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Does your partner know? ;)
     
  15. Britfoamer

    Britfoamer Well-Known Member

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    Rather gooses the suggestion of "another S&D event" :D
     
  16. 7822WelshSteam

    7822WelshSteam Member

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    Looks like 51241 will be one of the visitors.
     
  17. Britfoamer

    Britfoamer Well-Known Member

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    Hopefully fussing around Winchombe for further entertainment between the passing trains. :D
     
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  18. WesternRegionHampshireman

    WesternRegionHampshireman Well-Known Member

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    I believe it is now 11243 in a wonderful LMS livery. :)
     
  19. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Well yes, the cat (or pug) is out of the bag, but we can now confirm that L&Y pug is visiting for the gala, resplendent in its shiny new LMS livery.

    [​IMG]

    It will indeed be fussing around Winchcombe with a few wagons, but there will be opportunities for some short passenger trains too.

    If you haven't yet done so, advanced discounted tickets can be bought now gwsr.vticket.co.uk/section.php/75/1/cotswolds-festival-of-steam-2023

    The sooner you buy a ticket, the less hair the gala team and FD loses! :)
     
  20. WesternRegionHampshireman

    WesternRegionHampshireman Well-Known Member

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    Yeah! Do we know when your fourth [hopefully final] visitor is actually going to be announced??!!
    Only being patient is beginning to run very thin!!
     

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