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This year the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway was holding its most ambitious gala yet to celebrate 175 years since the formation of the Great Western Railway. All locomotives attending the gala were Great Western or were built at Swindon. Through the day the trains steadly became fuller however trains weren't exactly overcrowded. This may have been because of the poor weather forcast and the heavy showers which occasionally manifested themselves.

One of the highlights was the oportunity to travel over the 15 arch Stanway viaduct aboard 14xx No:1450 hauling two autocoaches (one chocolate and cream, the other carmine and cream).

Although trains were only in operation as far as Gotherington this was more than made up for by the large number of attractions at the stations. Also, for the first time the private station house and garden were open at Gotherington. An added bonus was an RSH 0-4-0ST hauling brake van specials along the short stretch of track in the garden. The RSH was maskerading as No:4411, a locomotive which worked on Swansea docks in Great Western and BR days.

At Winchcome the carriage and) wagon works were open for inspection by visitors and in some portacabins there were several model railways. In addition there were several stalls manned by members of the Winchcome station friends group. Winchcombe was a hive of activity as here locomotives were attached and shunted in order to top n' tail trains to Gotherington. (RIGHT: Visiting 'Manor' class 4-6-0 'Bradley Manor heads past Didbrook)

At the railway's HQ, Toddington it was difficult to know which way to look there was so much going on! With service trains arriving about every 15 mins and Autotrains shuttling to and fro the station was the place to be. Happily although there were not shed tours there was a viewing area where you could take photos of all the locomotives on shed. The car park was packed with trade stands in marquees and in the centre in another large marquee was the Science Museum's broad gauge replica 'Iron Duke'. Also on display were working steam models upto 7.25 inch gauge. Stabled on the loading road were: the Great Western Society's Castle Class No:5051 'Earl Bathhurst' and David Shepperd's BR 9F 2-10-0 'Black Prince' which visitors were able 'cab'.

As well as the intensive public trains the period GWR goods train also got a chance to stretch its legs between Toddington and Winchcombe. The goods train was well presented and all wagons had been restored to a high standard.

On the day of our visit (Saturday 29th May) there were six locomotives operating as well as two shed pilots at Toddington which shunted around to generate interest between trains and helped to re-arrange the locomotives which were not in steam that day.

Although 105 year old 28xx No:2807 was unable to attend the event it was more than made up for by the vast number of engines operating and by stunningly restored turkish 8F painted as No: 8476, which was built at Swindon in 1940. (LEFT: Visiting 14xx 0-4-2T No:1450 steams over Stanway Viaduct with the Autotrain.

By contrast to the Didcot event there weren't any queues and there was an efficient system for getting visitors in quickly. I would like to extend my thanks to all who helped make the event are great sucess.

Verdict

As usual from the GWSR a top quality event.

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