Gala Weekend is here!!! Virtually!

The weekend has arrived and, in typical GWsR Diesel Gala fashion, the Saturday is wet!! However, with this years' virtual Gala you don't even need to leave the comfort of your own home!

To be honest, I think we would all prefer to be firing up the locos and preparing for a full day of action packed fun on the line, but we still hope you will enjoy the virtual show that the Gala and Social Media Team have slaved over. I hope you will all raise a pint (or whatever else is your tipple - even if its just a mug of tea) to the efforts that the team have made.

English Electric heaven from last years' Gala. 

Most of today's events are taking place on our Social Media platforms on Facebook, Twitter and on our Website. All the links are below -

GWsR Main website - https://www.gwsr.com/Virtual_Diesel_Gala_Sat_25th_July_and_Sun_26th_July--post--91.html

GWsR Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/gloucestershirewarwickshirerailway/

GWsR Twitter - https://twitter.com/GWSR


We have already seen the completion of the Favourite Visiting Diesel showdown with the Class 50 Fund's 50035 'Ark Royal' seeing off all and sundry and taking the crown. Class 42 'Warship' D832 'Onslaught' came a very close second.

Yesterday was the start of our Guess the Locomotive Class silhouette competition.


As easy as it sounds, all you have to do is guess the TOPS Class of each of the silhouettes. You then need to email your answers to our Social Media minions at social.media@gwsr.com

This gives you the chance to win a full line cab ride on one of our locomotives next year. Full Terms and Conditions can be found HERE.

The timetable for today's events is listed below. Do remember that these may be subject to a little alteration and will be on our Facebook and Twitter sites. The timetable is as follows:

12:05  The GWR by Train Sim - A man of many talents, one of our Guards/Signallers, Saul Jones, has put together a proper 'virtual' gala using Dovetail Games Train Simulator software (and third party add ons) so that you can take in the sights and sounds of the line and our locos, albeit in 32/64 bit! There are also a few surprise 'guests' that may put in an appearance!

14:25  Hydraulic Quiz - Just for fun. A quiz based around the WR Hydraulic Classes that frequented the line in the 1960s and 1970, and have also been popular visitors to past galas. 

15:10  The Bubble - A video showcasing one of the jewels of our fleet, the diminutive Class 122 'Bubble Car' DMU. 

15:45  The Shed Visit #1 - This video is the first that will take you 'behind the curtain' at Toddington MPD. 

16:20  D6948 Restoration Part 1 - A short documentary video giving you a chance to see part 1 of the transformation of EE Type 3, 37248 as it returns to its 'as built' 1964 condition and its re-emergence as D6948.

17:30  Class 37 Cab Ride Toddington - Gotherington. A chance to ride 'up front' on a run from Toddington to Gotherington. 

There will also be an evening TS skit from Saul as well to look forward to. 

Enjoy the Show!