VIRTUAL DIESEL GALA SAT 25TH JULY AND SUN 26TH JULY
We very much regret that our Heritage Diesel Gala this year is cancelled due to the Covid-19 restrictions. But...
We will be running a virtual gala for you to experience the sights and sounds of our fleet of Heritage Diesel Locos and more besides. There’s no need to travel to any of our stations for the virtual weekend it’s all on your phone, tablet or computer.
Our famous Locomotive Recognition Competition is back, this time it’s featuring Heritage Diesel engines that could be found on the mainline between the late 1960’s and 1980.
All you have to do to win a FREE Heritage Diesel Cab Ride is identify the silhouettes and tell us its TOPS Class for each. The winner will be the one who gets the most correct. In the event of a tie, the winner will be chosen by random selection (name drawn from a hat).
The prize includes a FREE Family Ticket (2 Adults plus up to 3 children) that includes a full line return trip in the cab of one of our home fleet of Heritage Diesels – that’s one of the Classes 24, 26, 37, 45 or 47.
The competition will open on Tuesday 22nd July and close on Saturday 25th at 16:00.
Plus, in the run up to and over the weekend there will be:
- The eBay Auction for you to get your hands on a flame cut panel with the number from the side of 37215, this was cut out on the last major overhaul. It’s a unique opportunity to own a bit of English Electric Type 3 memorabilia. All the funds raised go the Growler Group to keep 37215 and D6948 running for your enjoyment. The sale is live until Saturday 25th at 20:00 at: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ORIGINAL-FLAME-CUT-PLANEL-FROM-CLASS-37-LOCOMOTIVE-37215/274422849003
- The Favourite Gala Visitor Knock Out Competition, a look back over the years to see which loco you enjoyed most. This may be an influence for future galas.
- Virtual Trips along the ‘Honeybourne Line’ with the home fleet and some visitors, a Class 66 will feature, one which has been unable to visit physically. All done through the medium of Train Sim and courtesy of one of our volunteers.
- Two brand new Flickr sites to be live featuring the previous working lives of our home fleet and their subsequent life since restoration.
- The World Premiere of the inaugural run of Class 37 D6948 as videoed from the cab. This two part feature will show the driver’s eye view of the line as it was in 2016. First part is Toddington to Gotherington and on Sunday it’ll be Gotherington to Cheltenham Racecourse.
- Video compilations, with one featuring the restoration of the ‘Bubble Car’ or Class 122 Diesel Unit W55003, undisputedly the pride of the Cotswold Diesel Railcar fleet. This unit operated some of the last passenger services over the line in the late 1960s. It is a single car design, built at The Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Works (GRCW) in 1958 and seats a total of 65 people.
- There’ll be a Video Tour of the Shed, AKA Toddington TMD, with views of restoration work and other loco’s along with engine room views of start-ups.
- And to top it all, we are still working on other ideas for fun quizzes where there will an opportunity to send in your best images of the loco’s featured – there will even be prizes.
Now the competition small print:
1. The Loco Recognition competition is open to the public and GWSR Volunteers alike
2. In the event of a tie the winning name will be drawn from a hat
3. The Prize will include a Family ticket allowing 2 adults and up to 3 children to travel all day free of charge (See 6 below)
4. The footplate ride will be for 1 adult for a full line return journey
5. The footplate ride can be shared between the 2 adults
6. The prize will be redeemable on a normal service day by prior arrangement with the Railway
a. social distancing restrictions must have been lifted and normal services resumed before the prize can be redeemed
b. a period of 6 weeks notice will be required before travel
c. the rostered locomotive may be changed due to serviceability or operational requirements
7. The cab ride participants :
a. must be over 18 years of age
b. must be able to ascend and descend from the cab unassisted
c. must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol
8. Appropriate clothing and footwear must be worn (stout shoes or boots).
Everyone involved in the organising of the Gala, its Marketing and in the whole Diesel Department hope you will enjoy it all.
