If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

Gloucester & Warwickshire Autumn Gala 29/30 October

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by Britfoamer, Oct 13, 2022.

  1. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2005
    Messages:
    5,283
    Likes Received:
    2,650
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired Rolls-Royce engineer
    Location:
    Bath Green Park / Mangotsfield
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Services running 50 mins late at present. A TSR north Gotherington not helping the situation. [BJ]

    Update: TSR cleared at 14:45.
     
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2022
  2. Kje7812

    Kje7812 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2010
    Messages:
    2,653
    Likes Received:
    1,050
    Location:
    Kidderminster/ York
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Seems to have been an issue at Gotherington itself this morning.
    Still the sun is shining this afternoon.
     
  3. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2013
    Messages:
    10,440
    Likes Received:
    17,941
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Cheltenham
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Yes a slight operational incident this morning at Gotherington, all resolved now though. A couple of other minor issues which haven't helped. Despite the late running I have just heard that the non-stop express has successfully run all the way through though, a feat we tried and failed to do all 3 days in the Spring!
     
    audlin2 likes this.
  4. JJJ

    JJJ New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2007
    Messages:
    59
    Likes Received:
    47
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Gloucestershire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Just got back. Three of us had a great day, got caught in gotherington loop in the short delay in the morning, but we were kept well informed by the guard and all in our coach were in good humour.

    Sun came out in afternoon and managed some journey time behind all engines. Not seen the Deltic in action before but very impressive and attracting lots of camera action!

    Even managed to a freight trip behind 4270 up to Broadway and back. A big shout out to all those who have spent time and money restoring the wagons. Lots of happy faces and complements on the Queen Mary, including family groups, so please continue the good work, lots of people like seeing these and riding on them.

    Stayed later than expected both due to a little late running but stood and watch 2 steam and 3 of the diesels put to bed in the yard. In very few other railways do you get close to these activities and especially with the ambiance of night shunting and disposal.

    So finally a big thankyou to all those who have spent there time organising and running a great day out. £27 for 10 hours of entertainment a bargain. Took two friends who will also definitely be back.
     
  5. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2013
    Messages:
    10,440
    Likes Received:
    17,941
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Cheltenham
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Deleted - double post
     
  6. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2013
    Messages:
    10,440
    Likes Received:
    17,941
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Cheltenham
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Glad you had a good day! After an eventful morning I managed to settle down and enjoy guarding the goods train in the afternoon. Thank you for all the kind compliments on that, makes it all worthwhile. :) Now to do it all again tomorrow - thank goodness we get an extra hour in bed tonight though!
     
  7. Martin

    Martin New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2007
    Messages:
    65
    Likes Received:
    42
    Problems with Gotherington box this morning. First train left Cheltenham 25 minutes late, passed nothing until Winchcombe.
     
  8. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2013
    Messages:
    10,440
    Likes Received:
    17,941
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Cheltenham
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    S&T technician is on site as we speak, fingers crossed!
     
  9. Martin

    Martin New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2007
    Messages:
    65
    Likes Received:
    42
    Thank you to everyone involved on a challenging day today. The problems at Gotherington this morning meant that the timetable went very astray, and it was no longer possible to work out what loco would be on what train. To me though, that almost added to the day - there was still plenty of activity and I just "made it up as I went along". I imagine it must have been a bit hectic "behind the scenes" - thanks again to everyone.
     
  10. cg

    cg Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2005
    Messages:
    1,296
    Likes Received:
    214
    Gender:
    Male
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2022
  11. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2013
    Messages:
    10,440
    Likes Received:
    17,941
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Cheltenham
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Crikey, well that was a weekend I won't forget in a while :Dead: Truly unbelievable, never known anything like it in terms of the challenges we faced on both days. Hopefully everyone still managed to get some enjoyment out of it though, I know I did despite everything. Just before I collapse, I managed to take a few photos over the weekend in-between charging up and down platforms with tail lamps and phones on both ears.

    IMG_20221029_145446.jpg

    IMG_20221029_170815.jpg

    IMG_20221029_195603.jpg

    IMG_20221030_090359.jpg

    IMG_20221030_143743.jpg

    original_9303a678-9ca3-44c6-8205-cc716df648b9_IMG_20221030_164913.jpg

    IMG_20221030_173959.jpg

    IMG_20221030_185113.jpg
     
  12. Andy B

    Andy B Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2007
    Messages:
    477
    Likes Received:
    585
    Location:
    Bristol
    It certainly was one to remember! In my 10 years involved in the gala planning at the gwsr I think these last two days have been unusual! As always, lots of things to take away and learn for next time- after the problem at gotherington back in June, we made sure an s&t technician was available and lo and behold, he’s been a busy man this weeeknd! I ended up with one trip driving 7820 and one on 4270, will miss the engine when she comes out, she is still going so well. Really enjoyed my trip in the dark last night, even if we were an hour late getting back. Thanks to all the people who came and visited, planning is already under way for cfos 2023 and maybe we might have some news before Christmas. Here’s my one shot from the day. 6D1B6167-AC1C-4B0A-837D-3309B59FFB29.jpeg
     
  13. Steam Valley Productions

    Steam Valley Productions New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2019
    Messages:
    97
    Likes Received:
    464
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Droitwich
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    3 shots from yesterdays mixed traction gala. Bonus getting 4270 on the goods twice.




    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  14. Britfoamer

    Britfoamer Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2008
    Messages:
    2,175
    Likes Received:
    2,029
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Chemist (semi-retired)
    Location:
    Within 2 miles of the ELR
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Certainly was two days to remember, own person plans for riding/walking/photography in the bin, sat on the train mostly for both days, prisoners on Sunday!! Got as far as Winchcombe only to sit for over an hour with trains coming and going whilst we boiled up the kettle and turned off the paraffin can to save juice. Went down to Cheltenham late afternoon to get probably the last run (before withdrawal) in behind 4270 when it was confirmed it would pull the train (everything else was pot luck up to then). Made the bad choice not to come back on the Deltic, stayed on 4270. Driver all set to leave at 17.45 when told the last train south had been released and Gothering was switched out. 7903 sloped in at 18.30, we left 18.35, arrived Toddinton 19.10. We had sat on the train well over an hour waiting to get back to Toddington with station staff at Cheltenham as perplexed as us all on the train.
    Thanks to all the staff who rescued two days from the jaws of adversity and manacled together alternative timetables, especially Sunday. Still enjoyed ourselves.
    Selection of photo's from a slightly different perspective as a result, part one Saturday:
    P1150514.JPG P1150515.JPG P1150520.JPG P1150522.JPG P1150523.JPG P1150525.JPG P1150527.JPG P1150530.JPG P1150536.JPG P1150537.JPG
     
    Johnme101 likes this.
  15. Britfoamer

    Britfoamer Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2008
    Messages:
    2,175
    Likes Received:
    2,029
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Chemist (semi-retired)
    Location:
    Within 2 miles of the ELR
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Shorter part 2 from Sunday: P1150538.JPG P1150539.JPG P1150540.JPG P1150542.JPG P1150543.JPG P1150547.JPG P1150548.JPG P1150552.JPG
     
  16. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2013
    Messages:
    10,440
    Likes Received:
    17,941
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Cheltenham
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I think we'll admit that wasn't our finest hour that - after 2 whole days of trying to figure our way through problem after problem I think brains were a little fried by then, so apologies for that. I was on 7903 and we were just as perplexed, there were no good options by then but that was still probably not the best move. Glad you still enjoyed the weekend though! :)
     
  17. Britfoamer

    Britfoamer Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2008
    Messages:
    2,175
    Likes Received:
    2,029
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Chemist (semi-retired)
    Location:
    Within 2 miles of the ELR
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Any comment yet on how good the attendances were for the weekend? I still think the style of home loco's and mixed traffic is an excellent one (in next years listing!), does my thoughts reflect bums on seats?
     
  18. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2013
    Messages:
    10,440
    Likes Received:
    17,941
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Cheltenham
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I don't have any passenger numbers yet, although it felt pleasingly busy both days, but we're very happy with the money made over the event, from that point of view it was certainly very successful! Definitely made all the effort worthwhile.
     
  19. JJJ

    JJJ New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2007
    Messages:
    59
    Likes Received:
    47
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Gloucestershire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Hopefully the autumn gala is here to stay. We had great time.

    With that at the end of the season and the Gold cup at the start. Plus a few days of November race days and the odd F&C with a month of Santa and mince pie specials the GWSR is hopefully in a better position than some heritage railways over the barren winter period.

    Given the need to set up for Santa and a run free period for any major infrastructure work, not sure what else you could squeeze in anyway.

    Keep up the good work
     
    flying scotsman123 likes this.
  20. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2013
    Messages:
    10,440
    Likes Received:
    17,941
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Cheltenham
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Well it's certainly in the calendar for next year, 28-29th October. Home fleet could look a little different by then!
     

Share This Page