The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway's Summer Heritage Gala promises to be a feast of nostalgia for lovers of British Rail heritage diesel locomotives.
The Gala to be held from Friday, 12th to Sunday 14th July 2024 will see the Cotswolds resounding to the sights and sounds of 60-year-old British Rail icons operating an intensive timetable.
The three-day gala will provide the opportunity to experience the sights, sounds and smells of classic heritage diesel traction travelling through the idyllic Cotswold countryside, the railway's iconic structures of Greet Tunnel and Stanway Viaduct, and picturesque period stations.
Each day will see up to ten trains running between Broadway and Cheltenham Racecourse, and extra trains between Toddington and Cheltenham Racecourse. A 45-minute service will operate thanks to passing loops at Toddington, Winchcombe, and Gotherington, and most services will allow passengers to experience a full 28-mile round trip.
At Toddington, visitors can tour the diesel and steam locomotive sheds to view ongoing restoration and maintenance projects, including Class 26 diesel locomotive No. D5343 built in 1959.
It is hoped that a guest locomotive will make an appearance to supplement the home fleet which, subject to availability, will include the following:
- Class 20 No. 20137
- Class 24 No. 5081
- Class 37 Nos. 37215 & D6948
- Class 45 No. 45149
- Class 47 Nos. 47105 & 47376
- Class 117 diesel multiple unit No. L425
On static display will be:
- Class 26 No. D5343
- Class 122 single-unit railcar No. W55003
Most passenger rail services on today's national network are predominantly in the hands of a variety of diesel and electric multiple units. Locomotive haulage on passenger trains is now a rare occurrence except for a few train operating companies and specially organised rail tours and excursions.
With the memories of British Rail receding, the Summer Diesel Gala allows visitors the chance to relive the days when classic diesels were an everyday scene, and the experience of hearing a 60-year-old diesel locomotive powering through the 693-yard Greet Tunnel is an experience not to be missed.
The Honeybourne to Cheltenham line continued to see both freight and passenger trains after the end of steam on the Western Region of British Railways in 1965, and the last passenger train on the line was a special train to the Cheltenham Gold Cup on 14th March 1976, hauled by a Brush Type 4 Class 47.
In the same year, a derailment near the B4632 bridge at Winchcombe of a Toton to Severn Tunnel Junction coal train hauled by a Class 45 locomotive marked the end of freight services on the line.
Tickets for the Gala are now on sale at www.gwsr.com, with discounts available for tickets bought online. One-day adult tickets cost from £29, and multi-day rover tickets are available offering substantial savings, but they must be booked in advance.
Last month, the railway celebrated St. George's Day by running an ‘Asparagus Express‘ from Broadway to Cheltenham Racecourse.
Maybe D5054!