As you are no doubt aware we are just a couple of weeks away from our yearly Diesel Gala extravaganza and preparations are now in their final phase. Our first visitor should be arriving early next week giving plenty of time for a Fitness to Run exam to be completed before the start of the Gala on the 24th July. In case you are not aware of our visitors, here is a quick run down.....
Firstly, we have Class 25 no. 25262 courtesy of the South Devon Diesel Traction Ltd.
Our second guest, giving us the full triumvirate of 'small Sulzers', is Class 27, 27056, courtesy of the Northampton Type 2 Group.
Finally, we have 'Hymek' no. D7018, courtesy of the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group.
As you can imagine, our timetable and roster gurus have had a job on their hands ensuring that the three Gala visitors get a good opportunity to stretch their legs alongside our own 'fantastic 10' home fleet locos as well as ensuring there are enough of us to cover footplate duties and, although you will never please everyone, kudos has to be given to those behind the scenes that have managed to balance it all and get all the turns covered. Hats off, chaps!
Sadly, it has meant that the Shunter activities that were so successful last year have had to be overlooked for this year as we don't have enough people to crew them without dropping the mainline locos. Sometimes, something has to give.
Originally, we had hoped that we would have a Class 08 available for something over the Gala and we did take delivery of one, courtesy of RSS.
 |
| Our newest 'arrival', 08730, undergoes an assessment of its engine shortly after arrival. |
08730 arrived via low-loader in June, slightly unexpectedly. We weren't quite sure why it had arrived as discussions were still ongoing as to procuring one for the Gala and no agreements had been reached. Assessment of the 'Gronk' identified that it was not serviceable - it needs cylinder head and liner repairs as well as reinstating of the vacuum pipe work as one end, so nowhere near being ready to use. As to it's repair 'schedule'.....who knows!
so, the full line up for the Gala is thus....
12 mainline locomotives and the Class 122 'bubble car'! There will be double-headers, top and tailing and locos on their own - all bases covered! We will also have our usual 'Beerex' on the Saturday evening and on Sunday, we have something a bit special.
On Sunday we pay a special tribute to Pathfinder Railtours, which ceased trading at the end of 2025. Founded by Peter Watts in Gloucestershire in 1973, Pathfinder became one of Britain’s best-loved railtour operators, organising countless excursions across the national network for over fifty years.
20228, D6948 (37248), 47376, 27056, 26043 and D7018 actually worked Pathfinder trains during their main line careers so the GWsR is a fitting venue for this tribute. Throughout the day, trains will carry original Pathfinder headboards from past tours, while visitors will have the opportunity to meet members of the former Pathfinder team, including Peter Watts, for what is expected to be their final appearance at the railway.
There will also be one final 'railtour' - The Broadway Greeter which will depart Broadway with BR Class 45 No. 45149 at the helm at 14:15 to Cheltenham Racecourse and will return at 15:40. This dedicated train will carry a specially made headboard which will be up for grabs in a special raffle.
GWSR Family Ticket
Pathfinder Railtours presentation nameplate backed on wooden surround
Three individual small hampers
A diesel cab ride on the GWSR (Choose your loco!) Excluding class 20
GWSR Goody Bag
Pathfinder Railtour Booklets, including one from each decade
The Broadway Greeter headboard from the railtour on the Sunday
Railway 200 Limited Edition signed and mounted photograph by Jack Boskett.
For full details on the Gala, including obtaining pre-booked tickets, connecting bus times from Cheltenham Spa and a downloadable timetable go to https://gwsr.com/whats-on/cotswold-diesel-gala-2026/
The weekend will also give you the opportunity to visit the privately-owned Gotherington Station gardens (once the site of a small goods yard) where you will have the opportunity to ride the pump truck and/or Wickham trolley along a short section of track. refreshments will also be available.
You will also be able to see our latest arrival. Our Marketing Manager, Jack Boskett, has purchased a cab from long withdrawn Class 47, 47355 for some future use in a museum or other facility on the railway.
We also have tickets available for our pre-Gala 'Night Shoot' taking place on the Thursday evening before the start of the Gala. This is the 3rd year that we have run this and it has proven a popular pre-cursor to the main event. Details and tickets are available at https://gwsr.com/whats-on/toddington-diesel-night-shoot/
 |
| A Jack Boskett photo from last years' Night Diesel Shoot' showing from left to right - D6948, D6700, 37215, 26043 and 50021 'Rodney'. |
As for the home fleet, we are now back up to full strength with the welcome returns of both Class 37, D6948 and Class 45, 45149.
 |
| D6948 leads sister, 37215 on a test run from Cheltenham Race Course on Weds 1st July. (Kev Jarvis) |
After having work completed primarily on it B1 cylinder, D6948 was taken out for a test run on Weds 1 July alongside sister Class 37, 37215. The 'Green Machine' performed well and no new issues were identified. There a couple of Class 37 turns coming up prior to the Gala where, I would expect, D6948 will run solo as a final shake down prior to the Gala. The last time the loco ran was on the last day of it's sojourn to the SVR in October last year.
 |
| The last time D6948 was run in anger......Sat 11th October 2025. Sat on shed at Kidderminster (SVR) alongside fellow Cardiff Canton-ite, 37263. |
As for the 'Peak', 45149 returned to traffic in June having received ongoing electrical repairs. The 'Peak' completed a test run with fellow CMDG loco. 26043 at the end of May and this was considered successful enough to allow the loco to re-enter service.
 |
| The CMDG's pair, 45149 and 26043 get set to depart Broadway at the end of May. The 'Peak' had been added to the train earlier in the day in order to complete a test run after repairs. (CMDG Facebook) |
Also out on a test run recently was BT4F's 47105 which had been withdrawn from traffic with a low power issue. Further investigation ruled out a generator issue but highlighted a separate problem that was rectified fairly quickly and the loco returned to traffic.
ROSTERS
The roster for the remainder of July is listed below. As mentioned above, the chosen Class 37 turns are to be confirmed. August has yet to be confirmed.
|
Date |
TT |
Rostered |
|
Sat 11 July |
|
47105, W55003 |
|
Sun 12 July |
|
47105 |
|
Tues 14 July |
|
26043 |
|
Weds 15 July |
|
26043 |
|
Thurs 16 July |
|
24081 |
|
Sat 18 July |
|
37xxx, W55003 |
|
Sun 19 July |
|
37xxx |
|
Tues 21 July |
|
24081 |
|
Weds 22 July |
|
24081 |
|
Fri 24 July |
GALA |
20137, 20228, 24081, 25262, 26043, 27056, D7018, 37215, D6948, 45149, 47105, 47376. W55003 |
|
Sat 25 July |
GALA |
20137, 20228, 24081, 25262, 26043, 27056, D7018, 37215, D6948, 45149, 47105, 47376. W55003 |
|
Sun 26 July |
GALA |
20137, 20228, 24081, 25262, 26043, 27056, D7018, 37215, D6948, 45149, 47105, 47376. W55003 |
|
Tues 28 July |
|
24081 |
|
Weds 29 Jul |
|
24081 |
|
Thurs 30 July |
|
24081 |
