With the first days of a return to operation at the GWsR under the belt, evaluations are ongoing as to how successful the current operating procedures have worked and, if we are getting enough patronage to look at increasing the number of services.
Although things are in the early days, things have looked good with all services being sold out or nearly sold out on the first couple of operating days. This has allowed a re-visiting of how things are going and has led to a small increase in the days we will be operating....and, this is where the diesel fleet comes in.
The GWsR Board have agreed to stage a number of 'Diesel Enthusiast Days' on consecutive Sundays in September. These diesel only days will see three of our most popular locos getting some much needed action in 2020....Class 37, D6948; Class 24, 5081 and Class 47, 47376 'Freightliner 1995' will all be in action on set days and will each operate three round trips. Further details are on the GWsR website.
Services will follow the current format of service operation, although tickets will allow you to travel all day, but still starting and ending at Toddington. You will still need to pre-book tickets - THERE WILL BE NO TURN UP AND TRAVEL - tickets will not be on sale at stations.
What will be running and when?
English Electric Type 3/TOPS Class 37 - D6948
The 'Green Machine' will be out on Sunday, 13th September with the first service from Toddington at 1000hrs. The last train will arrive back at Toddington at 1700hrs.
Sulzer Type 2/TOPS Class 24 - 5081
The ever popular 'Rat' will be out on Sunday, 20th September and will operate to the same timetable as D6948 with a 1000hrs start from Toddington.
Brush Type 4/TOPS Class 47 - 47376 'Freightliner 1995'
Finally, 47376 will operate the final Diesel Enthusiast Day on Sunday, 27th September, again to the same timetable as on the other two days.
As a department, we want to make these days a success - not only so that some of us that are footplate staff can renew our competencies but also to enable the successes of reopening the line and, hopefully, show that the demand is out there to include more diesel running as we progress to 'normality'.
You will be able to book tickets via the GWsR Website, but do remember that there will be limited individual seating within the rolling stock currently being used and services will start and end at Toddington. You will not be able to start a journey at Cheltenham Racecourse or Broadway and tickets will NOT be available on the day.
We hope to see you on one (or more) of the running days!
