2014 Gloucester & Warwickshire Railway Diesel Gala

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The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Heritage Diesel Weekend will be held from 25th to 27th July.

Locos available are D8137, 5081, 26043, 37215, 45149, 47376, E6036 and DMU L425, negotiations are ongoing for a guest loco to come to the GWR for the event.

The errant traction motors have been fixed on 26043 and 45149 has had extensive work over the Winter culminating in the loco entering the paint shop for a shiny coat of BR Blue.

Online tickets are £19 for a day ticket, £29 for two days and £39 for all three days. Click Here to book tickets.

Things happening at Toddington over the weekend will include:
•Diesel Shed Open Day and exhibition (with the opportunity to get close-up to two locomotives undergoing overhaul)
•Model railway layouts in the diesel shed
•Sales stands and stalls (inside the shed and outside too)
•Classic vehicles to enhance that 70s and 80s feel
•A chance to ride on the North Gloucestershire Narrow Gauge railway which will be operating continuously during the day
•An evening train on Saturday 28th offering a 2 hour round trip of the line departing at 19:15 from Toddington and arriving back at 21:10.
•The newly refurbished 'Flag and Whistle' cafe selling a range of hot home-cooked food, snacks and drink.
•A supplementary catering van serving a range of hot and cold snacks
•Beer tent
Our diesel shed will once again be throwing open its doors to visitors, and as well as the model railways and sales stands, you will be able to see the following:
•Get up close to two locomotives, class 37 no. D6948 currently approaching the conclusion of a thorough restoration to as built 1964 condition in green livery, and class 47 no.47105 under going a heavy general overhaul. See the work required to maintain our locomotives in tip top condition. You will also be able to access the driver's cab of this locomotive.
•A series of 'how it works' exhibits, showing you what makes our diesel locomotives actually work including the big items such as the power unit (the diesel engine itself), the main generator and various other important items that go together to make it all work.

Winchcombe

Winchcombe is a pleasant location to break your journey, with a cafe available on platform 1 and a Pasty Van on platform 2 together with a picnic area. As it is a crossing loop on our largely single track railway, it provides the opportunity to view trains passing each other through the station with all the hustle and bustle that goes with it.
Our Carriage and Wagon workshops, who restore and maintain all the coaches and wagons used on the railway will be open for visitors to inspect the work that goes on, and see the range of rolling stock we have.
Trains will operate between Toddington and Winchcombe every 40 minutes throughout the day.

Cheltenham Racecourse

Our largest car park is available at Cheltenham Racecourse station, together with access to a frequent bus service into Cheltenham town centre and Cheltenham national rail station at the entrance to the racecourse site ('Racecourse Park and Ride').
The locomotive off each arriving train will spend time here (minimum 40 minutes) before working the next service back to Toddington and will provide the opportunity for you to visit the driver's cab (subject to safety and operational requirements) and be a 'Driver for a Fiver'.
Following feedback from last year's event, this year we will be providing a Catering Van at Cheltenham Racecourse station.

If you have a sales stand you can apply for a pitch Here

If you have a classic vehicle you can apply for a pass Here

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Incidentally, the guest loco that is hinted at in the post above is D7017, which is being kindly loaned to us by the WSR/DEPG.