'Back to Broadway' Diesel Gala
Friday 27th, Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th of July 2018
The first details of the 2018 Diesel Gala have been revealed by the organisers and, to mark the first diesel event that takes in the new extension to the Cotswold village of Broadway, a very special Gala has been planned over the 27th, 28th and 29th July 2018.
I am sure most of you want to know, firstly, about visiting locomotives so I shan't keep you hanging on. Various discussions have taken place over the last few months about number of visiting locomotives and those that were available. Initial approaches for one loco in particular, initially, seemed to be bearing fruit however fate intervened and its availability was suddenly taken away. We had also had discussions about maybe having two guests but the general consensus was to have just the one....given the excellent home fleet we have at our disposal. So, without further a-do, our Gala visitor will be.....
Class 42 / BR Type 4 Diesel Hydraulic 'D832 Onslaught' (Courtesy of the Bury Hydraulic Group)
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| Our 2018 Gala Visitor. (Photo courtesy of the Bury Hydraulic Group/P. Smith) |
It is the first time this particular locomotive has paid a visit to the GWSR (although it is possible that it traversed the line in BR days) and, along with our own 'green machine' English Electric Type 3 / Class 37, D6948, will bring back classic memories of the Western Region of 1960's era British Railways. All of our available home fleet locos will play some part throughout the event (usual availability caveats apply)....
- English Electric Type 1 / Class 20 D8137 (20137)
- Sulzer Type 2 / Class 24 D5081 (24081) *STATIC DISPLAY ONLY*
- BRCW Type 2 / Class 26 D5343 (26043)
- English Electric Type 3 / Class 37 37215 (D6915)
- English Electric Type 3 / Class 37 D6948 (37248)
- Sulzer Type 4 / Class 45 45149 (D135)
- Brush Type 4 / Class 47 D1693 (47105) *STATIC DISPLAY ONLY*
- Brush Type 4 / Class 47 47376 'Frieghtliner 1995' (D1895)
- BR Electro Diesel / Class 73 E6036 (73129)
- GRCW Class 122 DMU W55003 *STATIC DISPLAY ONLY*
Our Class 117 3-car DMU set, subject to successful coupling tests to be carried out in the next couple of weeks, will also be in use in a similar format to what we had a few years ago when we had one service each day recreating a DMU drag. In order to have a sufficient number of services over the full length of line a fourth rake of stock was required therefore, pending successful tests, the DMU will be utilised as 'loco hauled' stock.
Up to 10 trains each day will run to Broadway, with even more running between Toddington and Cheltenham Racecourse giving a full 28 mile round trip on most services, which together with passing trains in the loops at Gotherington, Winchcombe and Toddington allows a 45 minute frequency service along the majority of the line. This gives just over 1000 miles traveling per day. There will be something for everyone - for families looking for a great day out as well as for the railway enthusiast. The railways of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s live again!
A public timetable will be available in due course.
TICKETS
This event is ALL TICKET ONLY. There will be no additional access to any site other than with a valid, dated ticket. Shareholder, member, HRA passes and other complimentary tickets will not be valid for the event either.
Your ticket will get you access to all stations on the line as well as unlimited travel on all mainline services. The Diesel Shed at Toddington will be open giving access to stalls, model railways and our static displays. You will also be able to visit our Carriage and Wagon workshops at Winchcombe to see the valuable work done to keep the rolling stock on the railway in tip top condition.
As well as traveling on the full size trains, the North Gloucestershire Narrow Gauge Railway at Toddington will also be running on all 3 days adding to the 'mileage' you can rack up and giving passing views of Toddington MPD and the mainline towards Didbrook. Access to this is also included in your ticket price.
Early bird internet tickets can be purchased from today (25/04/2018) which will be offered at discounted rates. Multi day tickets are only available via the internet and will not be available on the day. Ticketing details, prices and a link to purchase can be found here. Why stand in a queue when you can beat the hassle and get the tickets online?
SALES STANDS & DISPLAYS
One thing we want to increase this year is the number of other loco owning groups, modeling or heritage transport clubs, retailers (whether this be sales of models, railwayana, art or other railway related items) and model railways/demostrators that attend for just one day or the whole weekend. We can offer both under cover pitches (inside the diesel shed which will be functioning as an exhibition hall) and, at a lower rate, outdoors in the car park which provides a link between the shed and the station. An application form and details on charges can be accessed here.
Come and join us in a celebration of classic British Rail diesel traction, the new Broadway Station and British engineering in general!!
More details to follow as they become available. 
