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

Nobody has. 2008 was when the loco last steamed.

 

Points failure at Cheltenham. Currently no movement. 09.05 departure has not left. Almost 35 minute delay and counting.

 

Finally left at 0945.

Shuttle bus is only a short single decker this year rather than a double.

 

We've not seemed to have had much luck this morning On the bright side, it's a beautiful day, we have a cracking line up, and the goods train is now pretty much as long as Toddington platform

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According to the station staff at Winchcombe the following have been cancelled
1437 Winchcombe to Broadway with 2807 and 1524 return
1646 Winchcombe to Broadway with 15189 and 1740 return

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The 1350 Toddington to Cheltenham had 78022 instead of 15189.

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45110 & 6880 Betton Grange double heading sat in Cheltenham Racecourse waiting for something to arrive, timetable out of the window!!

 

Caley's failed from the sound of it, it was still with 78022 heading for Broadway, but it was just 78022 on arrival at Winchcombe, which I then took to Cheltenham Racecourse.

 

78022 arrived Toddington from Broadway t&t with the Caley. After taking water, 78022 headed south on its own and the Caley headed off l/e towards the shed. After that I drove to Winchcombe to watch the GER coffee pot potter around before heading home so don’t know what happened to the Caley in the end.

 

I'm not sure what happened with the Caley in the end or what the failure was, apparently there was another points issue up the line after I got to Cheltenham with 78022, but can't have been too major as the Railcar arrived, 78022 headed back and then Manston arrived before running round. I got on the bus as that was happening and a few got in from the freight. Apparently there was a line side fire earlier in the day too.

Still had an enjoyable day though, ticked off 229 on the afternoon shuttle (certain has some guts with 3 coaches), 78022, 2807 (having failed both days last year) and my first run to Broadway was with Manston. Hoping to catch 45110 tomorrow (and the Caley if it's able to be fixed).

 

Whatever it was, you gotta admit she was looking pretty wonderful.

 

Not sure how to upload a video while I’m only using my mobile so here’s the link
https://railway-photography.smugmug...y-2026/Cotswold-Festival-of-Steam/i-k8cPxfr/A

45110 double heading with Betton Grange at Cheltenham Racecourse

 

There were multiple small fires in places where they shouldn't be to deal with as well at about the time 78022 was at Toddington taking over from the failed Caley