GWSR Cotswold Festival of Steam 25th-27th May 2024

Brilliant, thanks,

 

Does that allow me to underline both 6880 and 7822 in my Ian Allan combine? LOL!! And what about the ABC nature of 6880, can I claim all the other loco bits?
I can remember in steam days the various works visits when as spotters we would write down any number we could see on any pile of parts. Who would believe we are about to experience this fantastic weekend over 50 years on when we thought it would all to to an end. I for one are grateful for the effort all who are capable actually put in. Look forward to seeing everyone and everything this weekend.

 

The rule with our local club was you could only count a loco if the boiler was on the frames.EG at Derby works you could see 73000 being steam tested /running in ,on shed .73001 in the paint shop ,73002 to 73005 in various states of erection with the boilers on.73006 to 8 ,frames only .The last entry was considered cheating if you were found out underlining in your ABC. Derby, as most of the main BR workshops turned out one new loco a week.

 

Yes and you can underline 4942 Maindy Hall and large prairie tank 5193 while you're about it as that's what the other visitors were created from.

 

I found the article in the current Steam Railway about 6880 very good and details the bits which have gone into manicling it together. Bit of an embarrassing proof reading mis-print in the article about the Duchesses, instead of the early BR symbol being described as a ferret and dartboard it calls it a fartboard - hmm!

 

Very tempted to go to this having not been to this event before, is there a guide to lineside locations anywhere for video? Don't know if there's any public accessible spots near the tunnel? Plan to do some filming (before you ask yes my first stop is Toddington to buy a day rover, which I might use to get to stations rather than drive)

In the location list on the site, Gotherington is listed as 'watch trains pass' assuming we can alight here but also mentions on map this is privately owned and will be closed on this event...

Any help appreciated!

 

James, a fair proportion of the line has public footpaths alongside or nearby. 2/3 of the line is on embankments so trains can be seen for some time. Of course there are a couple of pinch points with structures preclude walkways. Sadly Gotherington grounds are closed to the public this year due to personal reasons. You can still change trains here. There are at 5 public footpath crossings of the line so suggest looking at google maps etc.

 

Maybe they had a character limit and felt forced into creating a shortened portmanteau...

 

IMO streetmap.co.uk (based on OS Maps) is an excellent resource when looking for footpaths etc.

 

Hi James - first thing to note is all but one of the loco's are planned to face south, so tunnel exit shots from Winchcombe station bridge are limited, south bound tunnel exit shots are possible but not easy in my view. There are two good bridges just north of Toddington which are useful, one a road bridge the other a recently replaced footpath bridge. The fields just north of the abbey halt are good, accessed from a footpath leading out of Toddington station. Gotherington was good when the private grounds were open, but as mentioned closed this time. Look back at previous years gala's videos/photos, plenty to go at. Enjoy, regards Harold.

 

Very pleased for my friends within the Gala Committee at the GWSR that they seem to be in luck with 6880. It wasn't to be for the SVR or WSR, but happy they will be the ones to run it for the first time and hope that appeal gives a nice boost to the financial results. Best of luck for everything else at the event, unfortunately I probably won't be able to make it on this occassion. Currently behind 9351 on a positioning move as we bring it down to BL to be loaded up for transport to the event

 

Cheers Seb, your gala looked pretty impressive even without a Grange, I was sorry I couldn't make that!

 

The GWSR trains use the opposite platform to the private station, there is a footpath that runs east and you can still get shots of northbound trains there but that looks to be just 9351 this gala. My photo of 7903 from that spot last October https://flic.kr/p/2pd8gbK

Loads of great photography options along the line, unfortunately we can’t make it this year.

 

For southbound trains you can still get this shot at Gotherington as they approach the halt

 

Thank you everyone for the help! Looking at doing the Saturday if I can, won't do Linesiding if it's tipping it down

Bit hard to tell what locations are available South of Greet Tunnel, I see a public footpath entrance on the main road by The Royal Oak, and on the otherside I think a path running off Working Lane.

I can't see these paths on that Streetmap though, should they appear as green lines? I'll have to see what I have stashed in my boxes as I think I may have an OS map for the area

 

James

If you zoom in on streetmap they become green.
Streetmap ties up with the OS App in that area, so is up to date.

Paul

 

This link should work https://www.bing.com/maps?cp=51.957706~-1.994997&lvl=14.5&style=s bing maps has osmaps on it. Only works on computer, if on phone go into browser settings and select 'desktop site' and it should work.

 

Unless the vegetation has grown up, you can see the tunnel if you go into the field near The Royal Oak and go right up to the railway fence. Though the field may be full of cows. A photo from last year attached, think I was standing on a step right next to the fence.

 

WSR 9351 will be with you this evening. The loco and tender are are being carried by 2 lorries, passing Bridgwater M5 at present. <BJ>