GALA 2018 Update

A very brief update on things.

Just when you think everything is ready and plans have fallen into place.....a curve ball is thrown! However, on this occasion, it is a pleasant curve ball and a very positive update on the subject of our 2018 Gala - 27-29 July 2018. It is set to be the largest and most intensive gala ever run at the GWR and we had thought that bringing in Class 42 'Warship' D832 'Onslaught' for the party would be good enough. But, no, it needed to be bigger! So, hot of the press, the organisers are pleased to announce (drum roll and fanfare, please).......a SECOND guest locomotive!! Courtesy of our good friends at the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group at Williton (WSR) we welcome back.......

Class 35 / Type Diesel Hydraulic 'HYMEK' - D7017.

Our good friend D7017 returns to fulfil a request from the DEPG. Pictured at Loughborough (GCR) in 2017.

On its last visit to the GWR in 2014, the members of the DEPG requested that D7017 (or D7018, if it was fit to run) be allowed to return when Broadway was open, something we are happy to accommodate for our summer extravaganza. It will be the first time a hydraulic has run through Broadway since the 1970's, the first time that two hydraulics have been on the line in preservation and, we will have two of the three currently operational Hydraulics at one gala!! Couple that with our home operational fleet of Classes 20, 26, 37 (x2), 45, 47 and 73 along with both Class 04's (11230 and D2280), Class 24, 5081, Class 47, 1693 and Class 122, W55003 on static display, it plans to be a weekend not to be missed!

The timetable will see up to 10 departures from Broadway each day using our three rakes of Mk 1s and our DMU on drags utilising Class 20, D8137 and Class 73, E6036.

Please remember, however, that to travel on services you will need a valid travel pass and wrist band. Ticket inspectors will be operating on all services. For more up to date information, including loco allocations (to be confirmed), click HERE.

Elsewhere, the weekend just passed (23/24 May) saw the first of our two hostings this year of that 'most useful' engine...Thomas the Tank Engine! The weather was superb and the crowds plentiful.

The crew warm Thomas up ready for the exhertions in the heat.

The 'Thomas' weekend gives three of the diesel fleet the opportunity to stretch their legs. It is the usual preserve of two of our BR Blue liveried locos - normally 37215 and 45149. However, the 'Peak' is currently undergoing a little electrical work so it was an opportunity to go all 'English Electric' with our BR Green Class 37, D6948, joining its sister on timetabled turns.

An EE invasion at Winchcombe.

D6948 was used on the Cheltenham - Winchcombe shuttle services, whilst 37215 fulfilled its usual role sharing the Toddington - Winchcombe services with Thomas.

The gathering cloud darkens the BR Green on D6948's body side as she runs round at Winchcombe.

Taking a well earned break. 37215 takes a breather from shuttle duties and cab visits at Winchcombe.

Not to be forgotten, our Class 117 three- car set was utilised on the Broadway - Toddington shuttles mascaurading as 'Daisy'. With the timetable seeing a lot of mainline steam services of late it has given the CDRG volunteers time to undertake some niggling and long standing issues and she ran faultlessly throughout the weekend.

'Daisy' waits for passengers to disembark at Toddington before heading back to Broadway. (Courtesy of the GWSR DMU Group/CDRG) 

W51405 continues to receive a substantial amount of TLC down at Carriage and Wagon, Winchcombe. This is a much larger job than first anticipated and will see the DMS at Winchcombe for a while longer. You can keep up to speed with all the happenings on W51405 HERE. The 'Bubble Car' also continues to receive work on its body and internal structures over weekends.

D5081's No.1 bogie overhaul nears completion and it is hoped that in the next few weeks a time can be found to get the loco on to the jacks in the David Page shed ready to replace No.1 bogie back under the loco, remove No.2 bogie and reset the donor.

Brush Type 4, 1693's overhaul continues with the bodysides now being rubbed down. The front ends have all been rubbed back and now the bodywork above the solebar has now gone back to the metal.

Locomotive roster for July.....

PURPLE TIMETABLE
30 June/01 July - 47376 'Freightliner 1995'

07/08 July         - Class 37 (TBC)

14/15 July         - 45149

21/22 July         - D6948

31 July              - 47376 'Freightliner 1995'

BLUE TIMETABLE
03/04/05/10/11/12/17/18/19/24/25/26 - DMU