GWSR | Cotswold Festival of Steam Gala | 23-25 May 2026

try doing it with osteoarthritis in both knees and age 69, now you know why I will not be going!!

 

Impossible for me

 

Yes a good service if it went to the station which it doesn’t. I have mobility issues and can walk but not far. So for me it’s taxi or don’t go. I am age 81

 

Bus shuttle timetable https://gwsr.com/media/fhdlg0eh/image006.png

 

That’s great. The timetable doesn’t say Spa Station though

 

Queens Road tesco express is the bus stop opposite Cheltenham Spa station. Sorry it's taken so long to get out, various complicated reasons I won't go into here, hope that makes some people's days a bit more viable the little blue coffeepot has landed today, it's going to be a busy week on the unloading road, including the arrival of TBC!

Sent from my PGT-N19 using Tapatalk

 

Would the 8:30 bus wait a little for passengers who are on the 8:30 arrival from Swindon on the Saturday?

 

Looks like I'm still walking on the Monday morning then. Might get the bus back in the evening.

 

Cotswold Festival of Steam Gala Announcement!

''We’re delighted to share that our Signal & Telegraph team will be at Broadway Signal Box during the gala, offering visitors an exclusive opportunity to explore inside.
Take a closer look at the lever frame and even venture underneath into the locking room—a rare behind-the-scenes experience. With the signal box soon to be commissioned for operational use, it’s the perfect time to discover how it all works and watch the trains pass by from a unique vantage point''.

Join us from 23rd–25th May to find out more!

 

Interesting and good to hear the Box will be in use soon. Still planned to be Acceptance lever?

 

I believe so - I understand discussion has been had with SVR colleagues to talk about Bewdley South - Kidderminster as a comparison.

 

Opening end of the season, I heard. Needs testing in the low season.

 

Running dates for visitors after the gala:
27/05 - 34070 & 78022
28/05 - 78022 & 34070
30/05 - 34070 & 78022
31/05 - 78022

Info from the GWSR Loco Roster

 

A word of caution!

At this stage this is very much provisional taken from the departments proposed roster. Adding to all the ups and downs planning this year's event, we have over the last week or so had an issue raised with the booked, well in advance, police escort and movement order for the return journey of 78022. This comes at significant expense but that's another story...! There may be issues with roadworks the evening of the planned return when the escort is booked and for which there are currently no later escort alternatives that get the engine home for when was agreed, which might necessitate an earlier return. Fingers crossed all will go as scheduled, things have gone quiet on the matter currently, but at this stage I'd suggest that if you specifically wish to see 78022 on the GWSR book yourself in for the gala just in case and bring good weather with you.

Second word of caution: If anyone ever asks you if you'd like to organise visiting engines for galas it is imperative that you, without delay, say NO, NO and NO again and start running as quick as your legs will carry you. Sadly I'm not much good at running so you can guess what my role is....

 

The GWSR Facebook has posted an updated Gala timetable and says the final guest is likely be announced a couple of days before the Gala and will announce it when it arrives, saying you won't want to miss this!

I'm all sorted for this one and very much looking forward to another 2 days, after my first ever visit last year, still got a few things to tick off I didn't do last year, like ride the Toddingtom Narrow Gauge Railway, a trip behind 2807 and visit Gotherington station.

 

Anyone driving to Toddington for the gala from the Stow direction, should be aware that there were road signs yesterday in the village of Ford on the B4077 intimating that the road there will be closed 24/7 from today (18th May) until mid July. Suggest intending visitors make the necessary amendments/alterations to their intended journey.

 

Why all the secrecy about this? Someone must know the identity of this mystery loco.

 

I've came to the reasonable assumption that "this secret guest" is likely something that has recently been under overhaul and is more or less down to the wire over whether it is able to participate in its appearance at the gala. Can't assume what it could be (clearly something that can shift load 7) but is my take on this rather touch and go announcement