GWSR General Discussion and Operations

Oh don't get me wrong, we should definitely build a carriage shed! But I think we should build one with a primary purpose of it being used all year round.

A carriage shed is certainly near the top of the generally agreed priority investment list, all of which is being formalised currently into something a bit more meaningful. But to answer your question, apart from various bridge and other civils works, the other big ticket item on the agenda is sorting out the former garden centre site at Toddington. Firstly just to make it a pleasant entrance as it gives a terrible impression at the moment, and longer term consideration to a proper visitor centre type building.

 

There in lies the problem for most heritage railways. What do you prioritise capital expenditure on. There are 3 things that should always have the strongest budget in my eyes. Infrastructure, Locos and carriages. Without any of them, you cant run a railway.

Forgive me for my ignorance/ lack of knowledge of the Winchcombe site. I have only visited the C&W during events. Is there not room on the south side of the works to install a carriage shed/ stable/ half side barn type building? I'm guessing the formation on the north side of the embankment isn't stable enough to realign the point work and utilise the former double track formation for a headshunt?

 

There is physically room on the South side land-wise for a shed. But there's a lot of stuff in the way, and the track layout would have to be totally re-organised and half the north half of Winchcombe would have to be re-signalled with a new turnout off the mainline. And you'd still need to build it on a curve to make it fit. I'm not sure off the top of my head on the viability of a headshunt onto the embankment - at the moment the mainline is towards the down side but possibly not all the way, it would certainly start to get a bit tight before you'd start getting worried about being too close to the edge of the embankment either side in its current condition.

 

Changing subject, when is the next steam fire risk review? Hopefully a good dumping of rain coming over the Cotswolds tomorrow and Thursday..

 

We've been switching from the planned steam timetable to diesel on a rolling basis, usually about 4 days in advance. I'm glad to say I am not involved in making those difficult decisions, but I'm feeling optimistic for the weekend based on the forecast. Fingers crossed.

 

We tend to use Larch from a local Sawmill and on average we have to redeck after around 17 years.
This is for the Plate wagons, Lowmacs, Grampus and Borail all of which, generally, see heavy useage as working wagons .
Living outside often under load.

 

Probably a good idea, but we are not so logical.
The recent re-decking of the warflat showed that this PWay used vehicle fell between two chairs. PWay didn't have a budget for it, but neither did C&W. Now what? It was agreed to use old sleepers instead, and in fact, I suspect that these will outlast any modern wood that any budget would have afforded. So it has been re-decked, and I feel confident standing on it. We use it principally to transport concrete sleepers around.

 

Back to steam for the bank holiday weekend! We've had a good lot of rain over the last 24 hours with more forecast, some quite impressive thunderstorms too. I understand it'll be the two 2-8-0s out to start with, seen as the safest to begin with.

 

The “memories” function of my phone just popped this up - 19 years ago to the day.



Tom

 

They chopped down all those trees, ' to improve the view' I was told.

 

A very good report on ITV West Country news this evening regarding the return of steam at the GWSR. Passengers interviewed, all very positive comments.

So good to see a return to steam. [BJ]

UPDATE. ITV news report added.
Steam trains return to Gloucestershire after spending summer in shed due to fire risk - Latest From ITV News

 

The Civil Engineering blog a while back (14 July 2025) observed that some were removed because they had "reach[ed the] end of their life": CRC - Pine tree removal.

Also, for those who are missing their weekly 'hit' of "Heritage Herald", last week's post indicated that "there are going to be a few gaps, due to holidays and a working visit to another railway. Back to normal frequency by the end of September." So, no need to worry about the silence!

Noel

 

Quick question, does anyone know what diesel is in use Saturday? The Red timetable has late afternoon diesel diagram but the loco roster on the website misses the 5th. 47376 is in use today and sunday so I guess it might be that but confirmation would be appreciated.

 

It is indeed showing as 47376 on HOPS.

 

Cheers