It's the week leading up to the 2024 Diesel Gala and all the final preparations have begun in earnest. Our guest locomotive, Class 26, 5310 arrived on Tuesday 9th July via Allellys Heavy Haulage, from the Llangollen Railway and we are grateful to the Railway and Llangollen Diesel Group for allowing the loco to visit us.
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| 5310 arrives back in somewhat familiar surroundings at Toddington Yard on 9th July 2024 in readiness for its starring role at the Gala. (Courtesy of Alex Raybould) |
The loco had arrived at the end of the day just as public services were ending, so it was decided to use D6948 - the service loco from the last passenger train, of which I was Driver as the shunter. By the time we had run light back on shed the '26' was already on terra-ferma.
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| A quick photo opportunity after easing D6948 up the unloading road. |
Quite an experience watching 70-odd tonnes of loco being carefully winched off the back of a trailer in real life, rather than on the TV!! The over dramatic element of Train Truckers doesn't necessarily give you the full picture!
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| 5310 safely parked up in front of 'Peak' 45149. The nose of D6948 can also be seen - to save time, it was deemed best to use the Class 37 rather than fire up a shunter as we had just arrived back from working a service train. |
Once the '26' had been placed in the yard, it was time to move the Tamper that has based on the railway for some time. To save on transport costs it usual for the same haulage firm bringing something in to the railway to be used to take something away.
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| The Tamper is edged out into the car park and lined up with the winch. |
It is quite remarkable how quickly the trailer was loaded with the tamper!
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| 5 minutes later and the Tamper is three-quarters of the way up the ramp! |
Once loaded the trailer and tractor unit were secured for the night as the Driver was rapidly approaching the end of his hours. One of the joys of having such a large car-park/yard/unloading area!
Once the Tamper was stowed on the lorry D6948 could be disposed of back in the shed and a well-earned cuppa could be brewed.
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| D6948 idles on the unloading road before being taken back to the shed at the end of services. |
Prior to the arrival of 5310, our other star of the show successfully completed its test run to Cheltenham Racecourse and back with its sister loco, 20137 and 'Peak' 45149 as load/security.
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| Class 20, 20228 after its successful test run to Cheltenham. Coupled with sister, 20137, they will work together throughout the Gala - although usual caveats apply. (Courtesy of Alex Raybould) |
Although still sans exhauster, and with usual caveats, the blue '20' will work in multiple with its green sister throughout the weekend evoking long past memories of when Class 20s were regular on the Honeybourne Line.
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| As it used to be! On a misty 17/10/70 Class 20s, or EE Type 1s, 8006 & D8145 wait at the bracket signal on The Honeybourne line at Cheltenham for a path to Gloucester via Lansdown Junction with a southbound goods. (Original photo by the late Bill Potter and shared courtesy of Tom Cullimore.) |
Huge congratulations to the loco's owner Steve Madge - as you can appreciate, this has been a huge transformation from its CFD appearance. After its successful test, it was treated to a wash and brush up ready for the Gala.
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| The man of the moment! Steve gets to grips with the scrubbing brush to give 20228 a much needed wash! |
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| Jon C and I did the other side. |
With all the focus on 20228, its sister wasn't to be neglected and this, too, received a scrub before the test run. On the Wednesday before the Gala, both Class 20s will be paired up on ECS duties bringing in a rake of stock from Winchcombe.
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| 20137 gets the rub-a-dub treatment, too. |
There will be plenty of washing, scrubbing and cleaning going on this week as the remaining locos, and the shed itself, gets cleaned up ready for the weekend showcase.
Don't forget that all the information, and links for tickets, is on the GWSR website via this link....https://www.gwsr.com/galas/diesel-gala. You will find the timetable, complete with loco allocations, as well as the details for the connecting bus service from Cheltenham Spa railway station.
At Toddington, the Diesel Shed will be open so you can have a look behind the scenes at our ongoing restorations of fellow Class 26, D5343 and Class 122, W55003 as well as the near finished overhaul on Class 04, D2280. It is also hoped to be able to offer cab visits on some locos as they take breaks throughout the day.
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| No. 1 end of D5343 showing that the windows have been removed to allow the final pieces of the metal work to be completed. This loco will be in the Diesel Shed as a static exhibit. |
Carriage and Wagon at Winchcombe will also be throwing open their doors for a behind the scenes look at the excellent work completed on our rolling stock. We will also have trade stands within the shed, including the resurrected Rail Riders. There will also be plenty of refreshment opportunities with the cafes on each station being open, but also the refreshment room and bar at the Cotswold Halt at Toddington.
Finally, as an added bonus, there are a number of tickets still available for our Friday Night Photographic event at Toddington MPD featuring our home fleet and 5310. If you are interested in attending this evening event it is by advanced ticket only and these can be purchased here - https://www.gwsr.com/events/exclusive-diesel-night-shoot-at-toddington Please carefully read the requirements before booking.
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| 'Peak' 45149 has received a touch up of its faded paintwork, including a new coat of yellow on its nose ends. |
As usual, on the Saturday night, we will have our Beerex train which will be hauled by Class 24, 5081 (before it is withdrawn from traffic for engine repairs) and 5310 at one end, and the pair of Class 20s at the other end between Toddington and Cheltenham. The Class 20s will take the train on to Broadway and back.
We hope to see at the Gala!
