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Title: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Lee on April 05, 2008, 10:01:30 Anyone who wanted to be an engine driver when they grew up can fulfil that ambition at a railway gala this weekend. For the first time the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway is holding a "driver for a fiver" event during its spring diesel gala (link below.)
http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=231771&command=displayContent&sourceNode=231774&contentPK=20323493&folderPk=108867&pNodeId=231888 Today and tomorrow, anyone keen to have a go can drive a Class 73 electro-diesel train at Cheltenham racecourse station for ^5. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: willc on April 24, 2010, 14:00:07 A landslip on an embankment at Gotherington spotted on Thursday means that trains are only running between Toddington and Gotherington for the time being, with no services at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Gloucestershire Echo story http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/cheltenham/cheltenhamnews/Landslip-hits-train-services/article-2062497-detail/article.html GWR announcement http://www.gwsr.com/news/latest-news/honeybourne-line-train-services-continue-despite-gotherington-landslip.aspx On a more positive note, the GWR will be running its first ever trains north from Toddington across Stanway viaduct on part of the rebuilt section towards Laverton and Broadway during its week-long GWR 175 event at the end of May and stat of June. Details of the event can be found at the GWR site. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: willc on May 19, 2010, 11:34:34 The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway is holding a nine-day GWR175 festival from May 29-June 6, with a dozen locos in steam over the week, a visit by the Iron Duke broad gauge replica and the first passenger trains to run over Stanway viaduct on the first section of the extension north towards Broadway. Full details and timetables at www.gwsr.com
Note that due to a landslip earlier this year near Gotherington, trains can only operate between there and Toddington, plus the run north over the viaduct. Edit Note: Added to Calendar. Chris. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Chris from Nailsea on May 29, 2010, 15:45:29 From the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/8712674.stm):
Quote Plans to extend Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway A heritage steam railway has announced plans to eventually extend its track so that it links with the main rail network. Ian Crowder, from the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, said there were hopes to extend the line to Broadway in Worcestershire and beyond. The railway, known as the Honeybourne Line, is hosting a nine-day steam gala at Toddington Station, Gloucestershire. About 10,000 people are expected to visit. They will be able to take journeys across the Stanway Viaduct for the first time since 1976 after it reopened following a refurbishment. The viaduct is the largest anywhere on a UK heritage railway. Mr Crowder said: "Network Rail are enabling us to use the platform at Honeybourne in Worcestershire as part of their re-widening of the Worcester to Oxford line. That's exciting co-operation between a private railway and the national network and will enable us ultimately to bring trains perhaps off the main line to Cheltenham races for example." The event marks the 175th anniversary of the Great Western Railway. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Chris from Nailsea on September 10, 2010, 17:54:01 From the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-11210631):
Quote Pete Waterman launches ^1m Gloucestershire railway appeal A ^1m appeal to repair a collapsed embankment on a heritage rail line has been launched by rail enthusiast and music producer Pete Waterman. The landslip severed the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) line just south of Gotherington station near Cheltenham. More than 820ft (250m) of track is affected. Waterman, who is president of the GWSR, said getting the railway's full length reinstated was vital. "That's not just for the future of the railway which has been steadily rebuilt by its entirely-volunteer workforce over the past 30 years, but for the local tourist economy as well," he said. "Heritage railways are big business in Britain and the GWSR, or Honeybourne Line, is no exception. People who visit it use local facilities and go to other tourist attractions. When it suffers, they suffer too." He said the ^1m appeal would not only finance repair of the landslip, but would allow the railway to take steps to ensure such an incident did not happen again. The Honeybourne Line owns 15 miles (24km) of trackbed, closed by British Railways in 1976, between Cheltenham and Broadway, of which 10 miles has been re-opened. The railway is planning to open the line to Broadway in 2015 and expects to continue north to Honeybourne and form a junction with the upgraded Worcester to Oxford line. About 70,000 passengers use the heritage line every year. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: John R on January 20, 2011, 21:06:52 Very sad news for anyone who follows the fortunes of the GWR. They have had another landslip which has severed the line between Winchcombe and Toddington, meaning that there is currently no meaningful service that they can operate.
Financially it's a disaster, as they haven't yet raised the funds to fully pay for the first restoration, which is still ongoing. They are not insured for this collapse as they were unable to renew their insurance, which paid out half of the ^1m cost of the first collapse. Their Chairman reports that they don't even have the ^17k required to pay for some test boreholes to determine the extent of the latest collapse. The railway has known for many years that many of the embankments were suspect, which goes back to BR time. Indeed the site of the latest landslip was also the site of the derailment which resulted in the untimely closure of the line in 1976. More on www.gwsr.com (edited to correct error in final sentence) Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Chris from Nailsea on January 20, 2011, 21:23:24 Thanks for posting that update, John.
Very sad news indeed. :( Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Chris from Nailsea on March 30, 2011, 14:24:57 Better news - from the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-12907293):
Quote Cotswold steam railway opens two lines after landslips A Cotswold heritage steam railway line is to reopen as two railways following two landslips in the past year. The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway has also extended its route as far as Laverton, as part of longer term plans to reach Honeybourne. Last May a landslip on the line cost just under ^1m to repair and a second landslip in January severed the line in two. A fundraising appeal is ongoing to complete the repairs. One railway will offer a diesel railcar nine-mile round trip from Toddington via Hailes Abbey and Laverton, from 2 April. The other will offer return steam train services from Cheltenham Racecourse to Winchcombe from 22 April - a 14-mile round trip. The railway, which is run by volunteers, started 30 years ago and carries 75,000 passengers a year. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: anthony215 on March 30, 2011, 15:24:01 Glad to see that the railway is back up and running and hopefully will be able to make some much needed cash to rebuilt the railways funds.
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Tim on March 30, 2011, 16:05:20 thanks Chris. I might take the kids on tuesday
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Chris from Nailsea on March 31, 2011, 14:11:57 From the Evesham Observer (http://www.eveshamobserver.co.uk/story-Historic-railway-line-back-on-track-38016.html):
Quote Historic railway line back on track A historic railway line torn in two by a pair of catastrophic landslips is back on track this weekend. Trains are set to run from Toddington Station tomorrow (Saturday) despite members of the volunteer-run Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway continuing to face their biggest ever challenge. January's collapse at the so-called Chicken Curve on the Toddington side of Winchcombe Station came less than a year after another serious landslip at Gotherington. Repairs on the Gotherington slip are almost complete, but it cost almost ^1million and sparked an emergency appeal from GWSR president Pete Waterman. The Winchcombe landslip is set to cost at least another ^400,000 to fix. But undeterred members of GWSR have pulled out all the stops to get trains running on the line again and are now offering two heritage railway experiences. Tomorrow's first trip from Toddington takes passengers on a round route in a diesel railcar and for the first time in five decades it will stop at Laverton after a new two-mile extension was completed just a few days ago. Eventually it is hoped the extension will reach Broadway. Then from Good Friday, April 22, steam trains will run between Cheltenham Racecourse and Winchcombe. Malcolm Temple, GWSR chairman, said: "I think this is a fantastic way to get round the problem of the embankment slip at Winchcombe which has literally broken our railway into two. "The two completely different experiences will offer something for everyone and what^s more, we will still be able to organise lots of special events such as Thomas and friends when they visit, classic vehicle days and indulge in some fantastic food on the Elegant Excursions dining train or fish and chip specials or soak up nostalgia with classic vehicle days." "And that^s just a taste ^ we may have suffered a grave disaster but we are looking forward to welcoming more visitors than ever to our two railways!" Meanwhile, the railway continues to urgently appeal for funds to help repair the break in the line. Mr Temple added: "You can buy shares or make a donation or simply come and ride on our trains this year ^ every penny helps to mend the break and seal the railway^s future for everyone to enjoy. We^re very much open for business!" For more information log onto www.gwsr.com Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Chris from Nailsea on April 24, 2011, 18:06:45 From the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-13177409):
Quote Gloucestershire Warwickshire railway line reopens The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway has reopened between Cheltenham and Winchcombe. The track was damaged by a landslip last April which cost nearly ^1m to repair. A second landslip occurred at a different embankment in January. The 14-mile round trip service, leaving from Cheltenham Racecourse, began on Good Friday. It was the first to leave from the racecourse since the embankment collapsed at Gotherington. Rail enthusiast and music producer Pete Waterman, the railway's president, led a ^1m emergency appeal to fix it. All the funds came from donations. The line has now reopened as two railways following the landslips. The other line, which opened on 2 April, offers a nine-mile round trip from Toddington via Hailes Abbey and Laverton. Project manager Alan Bielby said: "We have received amazing support from other railways. They've been doing a full weekend galas for us at the Great Central [in Leicestershire] and number of other railways are doing a special train or a special day for us." The railway, also known as the Honeybourne Line, is run by volunteers. It started 30 years ago and carries 75,000 passengers a year. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: anthony215 on April 24, 2011, 19:47:36 I ma planning on visiting the railway after my exams in uni on the last week of may are over especially sine now that the southern section is re-opened it will be easy to get too by public transport.
I wish them well raising the money to repair/rebuild chickens curve Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Chris from Nailsea on May 30, 2011, 20:16:00 From the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-13589265):
Quote Severn Valley Railway aids heritage line after landslip A train is being run by the Severn Valley Railway (SVR) to raise money for another steam heritage railway after a second landslip. The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway has faced a ^1.45m repair bill following landslips in April 2010 and January this year, SVR said. A service will run on Wednesday between Kidderminster, Worcestershire, and Bridgnorth, Shropshire, to raise money. SVR said this would repay the railway's support after its flooding in 2007. The West Midlands railway was forced to substantially rebuild much of its 16-mile line between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth. Floods washed away four major sections of the SVR line on the 12-mile section between Bridgnorth and Bewdley, Worcestershire, causing more than ^3.5m worth of damage. The Gloucestershire Warwickshire line reopened as two railways after the landslips, at Gotherington in April 2010 and Winchcombe this year, with both services starting last month. One line offers a nine-mile round trip from Toddington via Hailes Abbey and Laverton and the other provides a 14-mile round trip between Cheltenham and Winchcombe. SVR said it was helping the other steam heritage railway to "get back on its feet". Gloucestershire Warwickshire volunteers came to its aid after the 2007 flooding and Wednesday afternoon's train "gives us the opportunity to repay their kindness and support", SVR added. Visitor services manager David Mee said: "We have been in this boat. Although the devastation we suffered in 2007 was over a substantially longer section of railway, the impact on the Gloucestershire-Warwickshire line is very similar. The railway is facing the most daunting costs for rebuilding and can only operate a reduced service, which of course affects their incoming revenue." Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Chris from Nailsea on January 01, 2012, 14:06:47 From the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-16375020):
Quote Three people have escaped from a car after it crashed on a railway bridge and fell in front of a steam train travelling on the track below. The car dropped 6m (20ft) on to the railway line in Southam, Cheltenham, at 13:30 GMT on Saturday after a collision which involved a second car. (http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/57643000/jpg/_57643198_hi013609973.jpg) Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service said a steam train had "managed to stop short of the vehicle". All three people managed to get out of the car and no injuries were reported. A spokesman for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Early reports indicated that two vehicles had collided on the bridge, resulting in one vehicle dropping from the road to the railway track below." "A steam train that was travelling on the track at the time had managed to stop short of the vehicle. All three occupants had managed to get out of the vehicle safely," he added. The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway (GWR) runs along a part of the former Great Western Railway's mainline from Birmingham to Cheltenham, via Stratford-upon-Avon. The line closed in 1976 but by 1984 heritage trains began running along a short part of the line between Toddington and Cheltenham Racecourse. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: anthony215 on January 01, 2012, 23:12:17 Some very lucky people there.
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Chris from Nailsea on January 30, 2012, 20:06:13 From the New Civil Engineer (http://www.nce.co.uk/news/geotechnical/final-funding-plea-for-heritage-rail-repair/8625690.article):
Quote Final funding plea for heritage rail repair Work to repair a collapsed embankment on the historic Gloucestershire Warwick Railway is about to get underway despite funding falling ^170,000 short of the full ^670,000 cost of the scheme. The heritage rail operator is appealing for help with to meet the cost of remediating the embankment to the north of Winchcombe station in order to reconnect the rail line. The work involved reconstruction of the failed section and the use of soil nailing to stabilise other parts of the slope. ^Ground investigations showed that the embankment is built of a poor mixture of clay and other materials,^ said GWR chairman Malcolm Temple. ^Not only that, it was built over boggy and unstable land and, as a result, it has been giving problems since the 1920s. That was less than 20 years after it was first built by the Great Western Railway. ^In British Rail days, a freight train derailed here in 1976 because of movement in the embankment so the line was closed. It is a problem we have clearly inherited from previous owners.^ GWR took over the abandoned route in 1981 and has gradually been rebuilding the line since then. It has so far rebuilt over 19km of the railway, between Cheltenham and Laverton. ^With the benefit of modern technology, we believe that the problems that have dogged the railway for almost a century can be overcome for good,^ said Temple. ^Once this embankment repair is finished, we can once again concentrate on extending the line northwards from Laverton to Broadway and, eventually, to Honeybourne.^ Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: TonyK on April 20, 2012, 18:09:00 Yeah, riding on a steam train.
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: bobm on September 18, 2012, 18:22:32 From the BBC. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-19632994)
Quote A heritage railway line badly damaged by two landslips has reached its ^1m emergency fundraising target. Two major embankment collapses left the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway facing repair costs of more than ^670k and major disruptions to its service. Music producer Pete Waterman, who is chairman of the heritage railway, launched the ^1m appeal two years ago. It is hoped that trains will be running again between Toddington and Winchcombe within two months. 'Strength to strength' An anonymous donation of ^7,000 completed the fund raising efforts to reach the ^1m target. Malcolm Temple, the railway's chairman, said he had been "astounded" by the huge support received. "Everyone can be immensely proud of the contribution they have made and I am honoured to be chairman of such an enterprising group that just won't take 'no' for an answer," he added. "This spirit of enterprise can only ensure that this railway will go from strength to strength." A new portion of track has now been laid at 'chicken curve' which will soon be connected and have its signalling re-installed. About 70,000 passengers use the heritage line every year. At the launch of the emergency appeal in September 2010, Mr Waterman said getting the railway's full length reinstated was vital for its workforce and for the local tourist economy. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Chris from Nailsea on October 30, 2012, 21:57:52 From This is Gloucestershire (http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Vintage-trains-track-Gloucestershire-Warwickshire/story-17199188-detail/story.html):
Quote Vintage trains back on track at Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Vintage trains are once again in full service on a historic rail line after volunteers raised ^1m to repair the route. Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway (GWR) has re-opened the full-length line from Cheltenham Racecourse to Laverton, which takes in Gotherington, Winchcombe and Toddington. (http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/images/localpeople/ugc-images/275784/Article/images/17199188/4262639.jpg) Railway enthusiasts gathered at Toddington station to celebrate the re-opening of the line The collapse of two century-old embankments in Gotherington and near Winchcombe had caused three years of disruptions on the volunteer-run railway, which dates back to 1904. From this weekend steam engines will operate between Cheltenham and Winchcombe, with diesel trains running between Winchcombe and Toddington. This means there is a service from Cheltenham to Laverton for the first time since 1979. Passengers can travel the full 12-mile route by changing trains at Winchcombe, and from next year there will be an intensive service running along the whole line. GWR chairman Malcolm Temple said he was "overwhelmed by the generosity" of people who had made a donation to repair the line. He said: "That includes individuals who have put anything from a pound or so in a collection bucket to donating significant sums, including those who signed up as '300 Club' members by contributing ^1,000 or more." Mr Temple added: "Other railways have really rallied round to help and we'll never forget the very significant contribution that so many heritage railways have made. I'd especially like to acknowledge the contribution made by readers of Steam Railway magazine, who have put their hands in their pockets to the tune of ^70,000 to what is, after all, restoration of an earth embankment." The embankment at Gotherington collapsed in March 2010, while the 'Chicken Curve' part of the line was damaged by a landslide in January 2011. GWR took over the route in 1981, following the removal of the track and closure of the line by British Rail in 1976. From 1984, GWR volunteers have steadily restored the line, building signal boxes, station houses and replacing lost signalling and other infrastructure. For more information, go to www.gwsr.com Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: TonyK on October 31, 2012, 17:23:50 All of which is fantastic news, and testimony to the place of heritage railways in the minds and hearts of British people.
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Electric train on October 31, 2012, 18:59:28 All of which is fantastic news, and testimony to the place of heritage railways in the minds and hearts of British people. Agreed, also what is impressive is they have continued with the extension to Laverton, the station rebuild at Broadway and the commencement of the rebuild of platform 2 at Cheltenham Race Course and a whole lot of other projects as well no doubt Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Chris from Nailsea on December 30, 2012, 15:27:32 From the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-20864774):
Quote Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway wins major award The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway (GWR) has received a major award for outstanding contribution to railway preservation. GWR runs heritage train services between Cheltenham Racecourse and Winchcombe, Toddington and Laverton. In January 2011 embankments at Gotherington and Winchcombe collapsed. The Heritage Railway Association award citation recognises GWR's "grim determination in dealing with its double slip disaster". During the ^1m restoration works along the 12 mile-long (19 km) stretch of line, GWR continued to run services and to progress its extension towards Honeybourne. "This couldn't have been a better Christmas present for the railway after such a struggle to overcome the serious embankment collapse problems we have gone through," said Malcolm Temple, chairman of the GWR. The railway reopened the newly rebuilt link over the most recent collapse at Winchcombe on 30 October 2012. GWR has also been highly commended for its presentation of Winchcombe Station with the Modern Railways magazine's restoration award. Mr Temple thanked the railway volunteers for their dedication during the GWR's lowest period of its 32-year history. "If it wasn't for their grim determination recognised in the award, not just in keeping the railway going but in single-mindedly concentrating on raising ^1 million needed, I'm pretty sure the railway wouldn't be here today," he said. "It has been achieved against all the odds and the award recognises that. I feel very proud right now, to be chairman of this wonderful volunteer-run organisation." The railway offers a 24-mile round journey and carries about 70,000 passengers a year. Congratulations to them! :) Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Chris from Nailsea on February 23, 2013, 18:01:35 From the Gloucestershire Echo (http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/story-18232445-detail/story.html?#axzz2Ligv2Q6Q):
Quote Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway makes its embankments rabbit-proof to stop landslips Bunnies are being stopped in their tracks along Cheltenham's popular tourist railway line. The creatures have been causing havoc along the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway by burrowing into the embankments. When heavy rains come, the warrens are filling with water and collapsing, causing minor landslips along the route. Now bosses at Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway have vowed to put up netting to keep the rabbits away and so put an end to the constant problems. The netting will stop the animals from being able to dig in the ground along the track. It follows the latest slip on the Cleeve Hill side of the high embankment, which carried the line away from Cheltenham Racecourse station. Ian Crowder, public relations officer at GWR, said rabbits digging warrens were responsible for the damage. "Lines such as ours tend to attract a great amount of wildlife and rabbits in particular are prolific," he added. "There are thousands of them along the route. Some of these landslips are caused mainly by the exploits of the rabbits. We have made attempts in the past to manage the problem and we thought it would be prudent to try again." Mr Crowder admitted there was a thin line to tread between encouraging wildlife and protecting the railway. "There is a very real concern that the damage can put the safety of passengers at risk," he said. "But the public do like to see the rabbits along the track so we don't want to get rid of them completely. It is about striking the right balance ^ we are aware of our responsibility to the wildlife along the route." Railway bosses are also hoping to improve the drainage along the entire length of the railway. GWR chairman Malcolm Temple said: "A lot of rain falls on the Cotswolds and our railway is in the way of its passage to the river system. Over time, building works, changes in agricultural practice and other factors, has altered the way that water moves over the land and the railway's original drainage has not kept up. It is our duty to ensure that those who manage the railway in years to come don't have to cope with the kind of embankment disasters that we have suffered in recent years." Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Red Squirrel on July 14, 2013, 16:50:13 Apologies if I've shoehorned this into the wrong place.
I can think of no activity or sphere of human endeavour more praiseworthy than the restoration, from bare earth, of an Edwardian country railway station, especially of the GWR. So three cheers for this planning application: Construction of three Broadway railway station buildings to replace the original ones demolished by British Railways. (http://www.e-wychavon.org.uk/scripts/plan2005/acolnetcgi.exe?ACTION=UNWRAP&TheSystemKey=43635&RIPNAME=Root%2EPages%2EPgeDC%2EPgePlanningRegister) I'm sure we all wish them the very best - they deserve it. If you're interested in following the weekly minutiae of the blokes who are doing this, follow this blog (http://broadwaygwsr.blogspot.co.uk/). Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Red Squirrel on August 12, 2013, 18:21:35 More on this planning application:
Quote Will village get a station again? THE project to rebuild and reopen Broadway railway station is steaming ahead after the parish council gave the next stage of development its seal of approval. Members of the village^s planning committee voted in support of the plans to build a signal box, waiting room and main station building at the site. The application will now be considered by Wychavon District Council, which will make the final decision. Source: Cotswold Journal (http://www.cotswoldjournal.co.uk/news/10597138._/) Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Red Squirrel on September 09, 2013, 10:06:41 Planning permission has been granted for the new station buildings at Broadway. See here for further information (http://wam.wychavon.gov.uk/WAM/doc/Decision-943745.pdf?extension=.pdf&id=943745&location=volume2&appid=1001&contentType=application/pdf&pageCount=1)
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Chris from Nailsea on May 17, 2014, 20:17:31 From the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-27440334?):
Quote Restored steam train back in service for first time in 50 years (http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/74900000/jpg/_74900363_74900362.jpg) Engine 4270 was scrapped by British Railways in 1962 A restored steam engine, which originally pulled coal wagons in 1919, has moved under its own power for the first time in more than 50 years. Engine 4270 was sold for scrap by British Railways in 1962 after more than 40 years of pulling coal trains in South Wales. Volunteers and contractors at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway spent 11 years restoring it. It will now form part of the heritage railway's fleet of locomotives. Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway spokesman Ian Crowder said: "It was completely dismantled and rebuilt, and a lot of new parts had to be manufactured for it. It's as good as it was when it was turned out from Swindon Works in 1919, if not better." The restoration of the 83-tonne engine has cost at least ^250,000, and there are only about six of the class of engine still in existence, Mr Crowder added. It will pull its first paying passengers at the Cotswold Festival of Steam at the end of the month. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: bobm on May 19, 2014, 21:01:42 Interesting to see a GWR loco with no number of the smokebox door or buffer beam nor it appears any sign writing on the side of the tender.
I'm guessing it is not quite finished yet. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Red Squirrel on May 19, 2014, 21:22:25 Well yes; the front of the firebox is looking a tad two-tone too... :)
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: TonyK on May 21, 2014, 20:12:14 Planning permission has been granted for the new station buildings at Broadway. See here for further information (http://wam.wychavon.gov.uk/WAM/doc/Decision-943745.pdf?extension=.pdf&id=943745&location=volume2&appid=1001&contentType=application/pdf&pageCount=1) They are cracking on with it - see their blog (http://broadwaygwsr.blogspot.co.uk/). There is an open night at Broadway Station on Friday 23 May, 1830 to 2030. Poster here (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6zXBqwGsmHg/U2YPKQJT9zI/AAAAAAAALQw/lrmteE9a1Tg/s1600/poster.jpg) Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Chris from Nailsea on September 14, 2014, 22:15:22 From the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29180454):
Quote Century-old railway bridge restored (http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/77554000/jpg/_77554348_broadwaybridge02.jpg) The 13m (43ft) wide bridge is the largest of five being repaired as part of plans to reopen a further two miles of line into Broadway The ^250,000 restoration of a Worcestershire bridge, to be used by a heritage railway line, has finished. Work on the bridge across Station Road, Broadway, took 12 weeks. The century-old bridge will eventually carry the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway's (GWSR) trains running between Cheltenham and Broadway. Alan Bielby, from GWSR, said the bridge's steelwork had been corroded and damaged by lorries hitting it. With a 13m (43ft) wide span, it is the largest of five bridges being repaired as part of plans to reopen a further two miles of line into Broadway. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Electric train on September 15, 2014, 19:00:37 From the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29180454): Quote Century-old railway bridge restored (http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/77554000/jpg/_77554348_broadwaybridge02.jpg) The 13m (43ft) wide bridge is the largest of five being repaired as part of plans to reopen a further two miles of line into Broadway The ^250,000 restoration of a Worcestershire bridge, to be used by a heritage railway line, has finished. Work on the bridge across Station Road, Broadway, took 12 weeks. The century-old bridge will eventually carry the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway's (GWSR) trains running between Cheltenham and Broadway. Alan Bielby, from GWSR, said the bridge's steelwork had been corroded and damaged by lorries hitting it. With a 13m (43ft) wide span, it is the largest of five bridges being repaired as part of plans to reopen a further two miles of line into Broadway. I have a share in that bridge ............ oh and the others that are being repaired A couple of blogs worth reading http://bridgestobroadway.blogspot.co.uk/ (http://bridgestobroadway.blogspot.co.uk/) http://broadwaygwsr.blogspot.co.uk/ (http://broadwaygwsr.blogspot.co.uk/) Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: John R on September 15, 2014, 19:19:24 And if anyone else wishes to purchase shares as part of the Bridges appeal and help it close the 30k gap to the 500k target then you have until the end of October to do so. There's a minimum subscription of ^100 and tax relief of ^30 under the EIS (if you are a taxpayer), more information is available by following the links on www.gwsr.com. (With apologies for the shameless plug.)
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Chris from Nailsea on September 15, 2014, 20:33:42 (With apologies for the shameless plug.) We shall overlook it on this occasion, in view of the relevant and commendable nature of that particular appeal. :-X Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Chris from Nailsea on November 25, 2014, 11:30:09 From the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-30167860):
Quote Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway extension work begins (http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/79213000/jpg/_79213456_broadwaystationartistsimpression.jpg) Plans for a new station in Broadway have been approved Work has begun to extend a heritage railway after a public shares scheme topped its ^500,000 target. The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) will now be extended to the Cotswolds village of Broadway. Shares in the rail line, which currently runs between Cheltenham and Laverton, went on sale last September, raising a total of ^565,000. Finance director Chris Bristow said the extra money was "a bonus" and track laying would begin next year. When finished, the line will run to 14 miles long. Mr Bristow said some investors had donated more than ^10,000 to the project, which would see trains return to Broadway for the first time since 1960. Work to repair five "deteriorated and abandoned" bridges along the proposed route has almost been completed, he said. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Oberon on November 25, 2014, 19:52:17 I hope this line will not be "finished" when services reach Broadway. Without a connection to the national network, this line, agreeable though it is, will simply be adults playing with trains. A connection with Network Rail at Honeybourne must be the ultimate goal.
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: SandTEngineer on November 26, 2014, 10:42:50 I hope this line will not be "finished" when services reach Broadway. Without a connection to the national network, this line, agreeable though it is, will simply be adults playing with trains. A connection with Network Rail at Honeybourne must be the ultimate goal. Space for a new 'heritage' platform was allowed for when the 2012 resignalling was carried out at Honeybourne.Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Red Squirrel on November 26, 2014, 11:48:24 I hope this line will not be "finished" when services reach Broadway. Without a connection to the national network, this line, agreeable though it is, will simply be adults playing with trains. A connection with Network Rail at Honeybourne must be the ultimate goal. Connecting with NR at both ends would be even better! Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Red Squirrel on December 29, 2014, 10:16:45 From Crossrail (http://www.crossrail.co.uk/news/articles/brick-transplant):
Quote Brunel^s bricks breathe again Tuesday 16th December 2014 By Nick Mann (http://74f85f59f39b887b696f-ab656259048fb93837ecc0ecbcf0c557.r23.cf3.rackcdn.com//assets/library/image/b/medium/brunel_finds_open_day_159665.jpg) Costain and Crossrail have donated a large number of Brunel-era bricks to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR). The bricks will help reconstructthe charity railway^s Broadway station in Worcestershire. They come from Costain^s Crossrail Paddington New Yard site in West London where Crossrail archaeologists uncovered the foundations to Isambard Kingdom Brunel^s 1852 Great Western Railway Locomotive Depot. There is a great deal of interest in archaeology on the Crossrail project and to celebrate the finds the project opened its doors to the public. This publicity prompted the GWSR to make contact with Crossrail to secure 20 tonnes of bricks. The GWSR is a volunteer-run heritage railway which runs along the border of Gloucestershire and Worcestershire in the West Midlands, England. The GWSR has restored and reopened 12 miles of line, operating between Cheltenham Racecourse and the site of Laverton Halt. The company is currently raising ^1.5 million to extend 3 miles (4.8 km) northwards to Broadway, and will eventually begin working on plans to extend a further 6 miles (9.7 km) to Honeybourne, (where an island platform has since been rebuilt). Crossrail Lead Archaeologist, Jay Carver, said "It is an appropriate legacy to be able to reuse some of the original bricks from the Great Western Railway for this purpose. We are helping to recreate the past while building a railway of the future.^ Costain Environmental Manager for the project, Matt Brinklow said ^We are always looking for ways to reuse materials and the bricks which once formed the floor of an old turntable structure can now live on in another rail related project.^ Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Chris from Nailsea on March 21, 2015, 22:22:38 From the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-32002327):
Quote Volunteers recruited for Broadway station rebuild (http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/81815000/jpg/_81815653__79213456_broadwaystationartistsimpression.jpg) An artist's impression of the new station at Broadway Volunteers are being recruited by steam railway enthusiasts to help rebuild and reopen an old Worcestershire station. Builders, electricians and former railway workers are asked to go to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway to help with plans to restore Broadway station and to help out in general. A recruitment fair is being held over the weekend at stations in Toddington and Winchcombe. The volunteers say they need more help and money to reopen Broadway. Planning permission has been granted but the volunteers say they need help with building a signal box, a station building, a waiting room, a footbridge and other facilities. The group has already raised its ^500,000 target, but is still appealing for further donations as work continues. When finished the line, which currently runs between Cheltenham and Laverton, will be 14 miles long. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: grahame on March 22, 2015, 06:21:55 Looks lovely. Having spent yesterday in Chippenham, where a footbridge without lifts causes very real issues (being dealt with at last) for wheelchair access, I find myself wondering what the situation is for heritage railways and their existing historic structure, and for them when they do a new-build, old-style.
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: JayMac on March 22, 2015, 06:50:51 As long as there's the alternative of a barrow crossing I don't imagine there's a problem.
The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway specifically mention this for the existing stations in their 'Access Statement'. I imagine a barrow crossing would also be provided at Broadway Station. Although I do note that there is no mention of one in the planning documents held by Wychavon District Council. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Electric train on March 22, 2015, 08:48:10 As long as there's the alternative of a barrow crossing I don't imagine there's a problem. The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway specifically mention this for the existing stations in their 'Access Statement'. I imagine a barrow crossing would also be provided at Broadway Station. Although I do note that there is no mention of one in the planning documents held by Wychavon District Council. They don't need to, the permanent way i.e. the track and associated items (I also believe the platforms are covered too) is permitted development, the planning permission is to but the buildings up, the DDA compliance would only relate to the station buildings Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: JayMac on March 22, 2015, 15:37:59 You of course mean Equality Act compliance. DDA was repealed in October 2010. ;)
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Red Squirrel on May 16, 2015, 17:11:08 Ructions at Broadway, with Bill Britton resigning as Chairman of the Broadway Area Group and Head of Department, Broadway.
Looks like the high standards set so far by the Broadway team are about to be adandoned, supplanted by a cheap and cheerless design for the new station buildings. Very sad. :'( :'( :'( Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: John R on May 16, 2015, 17:50:15 Yes, very sad. My very modest monthly donation to support the rebuild has abruptly stopped, and I do wonder whether the same will be true for the many volunteers who have given their time over the last few years to rebuild what has been, to date, an excellent station.
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: SandTEngineer on May 17, 2015, 11:04:55 I was a bit puzzeled by this sudden comment so investigated a bit and found this (health warning: its rather long) http://broadwaygwsr.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/the-last-post-1038.html
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Electric train on May 17, 2015, 11:48:15 I have met Bill a few times in the past 3 years and a number of the BAG team, they are like many volunteer groups; passionate, enthusiastic, committed, dedicated etc to what they are doing. It is sad that Bill has resigned however I respect the fact he has made what must have been a very personal and difficult decision.
I am sure the BAG will continue and to open Broadway Station in time for the extension of the GWSR Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Red Squirrel on May 17, 2015, 17:19:42 I was a bit puzzeled by this sudden comment so investigated a bit and found this (health warning: its rather long) http://broadwaygwsr.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/the-last-post-1038.html Note that the blog referred to in the link above will be closed and archived at 22:00 on 17/5/15. Such a shame. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Red Squirrel on July 07, 2015, 11:03:03 Well they've had their AGM; it looks like the cheap and cheerless solution is going to win the day at Broadway.
There's very little news coming out of the BAG since the blog closed, though there's a fairly heated debate going on in another forum (http://national-preservation.com/threads/broadway-station-gwr-roof-fund.486269/). I think the GWSR board have got this very wrong - they are going to spend a fair amount of money putting up inauthentic buildings at Broadway, whereas all they need when the line reopens is a couple of Portcabins and a sign saying 'come back next year to see what progress we've made!' - because people will do just that, if there's something interesting happening. On top of that they seem to have no conception of the own-goal they've scored by losing the 'Steaming to Broadway' blog, and not replacing it. I've been a regular visitor and donor at Broadway. Not any more. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Red Squirrel on July 18, 2015, 15:37:23 Quote From 'Broadway Station Rebuild' blog, 16/7/2015 (http://broadwaystationgroup.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/station-roof-news.html): A meeting was convened today at Toddington between the Plc chairman, the construction manager, members of the heritage committee, members of the loco dept, a construction consultant (giving his time as a volunteer) and a BAG member. The meeting was a very productive one with an informed discussion which led to the decision that, without impacting on the construction programme, the roof canopy steelwork will be referred back to the structural engineer for a re-design so that roof trusses and herring bone purlins can be manufactured by the loco dept members based as closely as possible on the old original designs and principals at very little, if any, additional cost. Construction of the lower steel frame from ground to top of brickwork will continue with some temporary steel ties in place of the trusses so that brickwork/blockwork construction can proceed with all due speed. The fabricated trusses can then be fitted once the brickwork is finished. It has previously been agreed that the originally proposed slate roof shown on the first issue rebuild drawing can be replaced with corrugated iron (steel) in conjunction with canopy glazing as at Toddington. Sounds like a sensible compromise may have been reached - thank goodness. Time to dust off the old wallet: money where mouth is, and all that! Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Chris from Nailsea on December 07, 2015, 17:38:15 From the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-34988156):
Quote Model railway to be removed from attic for train display An intricate model train set that took an enthusiast more than 60 years to put together in his attic is to be exhibited by rail enthusiasts. The display featuring thousands of pieces was created by Laurence Teague, of Redditch, Worcestershire, who died last year aged 74. It is yet to be decided when the removal process can start. The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway plans to exhibit part of the display in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire. (http://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/14F0B/production/_87017758_rail-top.jpg) Railways were a "lifelong passion" for Laurence Teague A spokesperson for the heritage railway added because of the size of the display, which runs 32ft by 11ft, (9.7m by 3.3m) it would not be able to display the entire works due to the likelihood of damage occurring in the removal process. The model collection is currently in the loft of Mr Teague's house. His widow Gail said he had shown an interest in railways since the 1940s. (http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/1761B/production/_87017759_rail-1.jpg) The railway display shows a number of different buildings and scenes from life. Laurence Teague even recreated his own shop, Teague's Television "Any form of locomotion interested Laurence. He started the collection before he even knew me. It was a passion he had all his life." She added: "He wasn't allowed to put up the railway display in the loft until I knew he was up there doing the rooms in the house first. It took him a year to do up every room in the house; and he spent half a year doing up his railway display." (http://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/1A73/production/_87017760_rail-2.jpg) Laurence Teague's model railway took more than 60 years to collect and contains thousands of pieces Mr Teague, founder of Teague's Television in Redditch, donated the display in his will to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. Mrs Teague said her late husband would have wanted people to enjoy the display, but added she would be upset when the railway collection was taken from the loft. "His humour is up there. His personality is up there. It's so much of him," she said. (http://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/4183/production/_87017761_rail-3.jpg) Gail Teague said she would be upset to see the display removed from the loft Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: patch38 on December 07, 2015, 22:53:56 I'm trying to work out if that's 'O' gauge or 'OO' - any ideas?
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: eightf48544 on December 08, 2015, 00:29:25 Looks 00 plastic coal in the LMS tender.
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: SandTEngineer on December 08, 2015, 09:48:00 I'm trying to work out if that's 'O' gauge or 'OO' - any ideas? The track looks like Hornby 00 ;)Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: johnneyw on January 07, 2016, 21:52:39 Had a look at Cheltenham Race Course Station today. The new platform is now in the hands of the regular CRC team after the Broadway gang signed off on the platform wall building. Had a quick chat with one of the two people working there today halfway up one of the lamp posts (him, not me). The next big step there is a footbridge which is preferred to the barrow crossing for many reasons but this will be when money allows. BTW, Broadway will not be the next new station on the GWSR. That honour goes to Hailes Abbey Halt,being rebuilt as a single platform by the Building Services team this year. I've added a pic of CRC taken from the road bridge. Sorry for the lack of quality, the Fire 7 is at it's price for a reason!
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Chris from Nailsea on April 08, 2016, 21:50:55 From the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-35975581):
Quote Pete Waterman launches ^1.25m appeal to fund 'last mile' of Gloucestershire railway A ^1.25m appeal to complete the "last mile" of a heritage line is being launched by producer Pete Waterman. Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) currently runs between Cheltenham and Laverton but wants to extend to Broadway in Worcestershire. A public share scheme raised more than ^500,000 in 2014 but to complete the extension it now needs to raise ^1.25m. Mr Waterman, GWSR president, said: "There's nothing wrong with the railway now but the jewel was always Broadway." Along with funding the last mile of track, it is hoped the public share issue will also pay for a station at Broadway which is due to open in 2018. Ian Crowder, from GWSR, said it would put Broadway "back on the railway map for the first time in half a century". (http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/1550E/production/_89101378_broadwaystationartistsimpression.jpg) The Cotswold station of Broadway is due to open in 2018 - 58 years after it closed "We've been laying track at the rate of about a third of a mile a year since 1984 and by the time we reach Broadway we'll be the fourth longest heritage railway in Britain," he said. Mr Waterman said he was optimistic the target could be reached, following the success of a similar ^1m emergency fundraising appeal in 2010. "I think the response that we got for the landslides six years ago was colossal and I think that's what spurred us all to believe we could get this far," he said. "And if everybody put a third of what I've put in this figure would be reached in seconds." Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: John R on April 08, 2016, 23:23:16 And if you want more information on how things are going then the excellent station rebuild blog has lots more pictures, including the lifting this week of the footbridge into position. (Not quite as per the artist's impression, but hey, when you get offered one for free, beggars can't be choosers).
http://broadwaystationgroup.blogspot.co.uk/ Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Red Squirrel on April 09, 2016, 02:03:38 Not quite as per the artist's impression... Just as well - it looks too low to fit a train under. When finished the new (well, ex-HNL) footbridge will have its roof, steps, daggerboards and so on - it'll look pretty darned good. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Chris from Nailsea on April 17, 2017, 20:10:16 Another update, from the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39614067):
Quote Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway hits extension target (https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/660/cpsprodpb/D093/production/_95659335_039021486.jpg) The extension is expected to be completed by March next year A heritage steam railway is set to become "one of the best in the country" after raising £1.25m to fund a track extension, its bosses claim. The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway launched a public appeal to complete its "last mile" a year ago. It currently runs between Cheltenham and Laverton but has long planned to extend to Broadway in Worcestershire. After an "overwhelming response" it will reach the Cotswolds village for the first time since 1960. The project involves extending the volunteer-run line and building a new station at Broadway, similar to the original which was demolished soon after closure. Chris Bristow, the line's finance director, said extending the track will enable the line to become one of the best in the country for steam services. "It's hard to think of another heritage line that has the same kind of opportunities for future growth and development." (https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/8DDC/production/_95661363_039021485.jpg) More than 100,000 passengers travelled on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, last year But, he said, there is the "major hurdle" of a high, unstable embankment to be tackled before the line reaches Broadway. He said an additional "£400,000-plus" was needed to correct "historic make-and-mend repairs" and stabilise the structure using modern techniques. "It's rather more than we expected to have to spend, but the work must be done," he added. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: John R on April 17, 2017, 20:55:26 Indeed, great news, and I for one can't wait for the reopening. It's good to see that the hiccup a couple of years ago following the controversy about the canopy was smoothed over, and that the powers that be seemed to listen to the criticism and act accordingly.
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: johnneyw on April 17, 2017, 21:27:59 Not to forget that while all this has been going on, Hayles Abbey Halt has been rebuilt and is due to open on the 5th June.
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: johnneyw on May 25, 2017, 17:21:38 Broadway Station has an open evening tomorrow, 1830 to 20.30. Limited parking but vintage bus shuttle from Childswickham Road car park.
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Red Squirrel on May 25, 2017, 17:49:32 Broadway Station has an open evening tomorrow, 1830 to 20.30. Limited parking but vintage bus shuttle from Childswickham Road car park. ...and it looks like there's plenty to see - doesn't that canopy look lovely? Disappointed that I can't get up there: (https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PTMuC-fbDUA/WSXgDpZHiNI/AAAAAAAACEA/A44hjH3INH0fvjijtC6dupkEex3QJzkagCLcB/s1600/P5240064.JPG) Image courtesy of GWSR (http://broadwaystationgroup.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/what-glorious-day.html) Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Electric train on May 25, 2017, 18:29:46 Broadway Station has an open evening tomorrow, 1830 to 20.30. Limited parking but vintage bus shuttle from Childswickham Road car park. ...and it looks like there's plenty to see - doesn't that canopy look lovely? Disappointed that I can't get up there: (https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PTMuC-fbDUA/WSXgDpZHiNI/AAAAAAAACEA/A44hjH3INH0fvjijtC6dupkEex3QJzkagCLcB/s1600/P5240064.JPG) Image courtesy of GWSR (http://broadwaystationgroup.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/what-glorious-day.html) I am going to the open evening Friday Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: johnneyw on May 26, 2017, 10:47:16 Wish I was going too but will have to make do with reading their blog and of course, any posts about this from Electric train and any other visitors.
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Electric train on May 27, 2017, 21:35:57 Wish I was going too but will have to make do with reading their blog and of course, any posts about this from Electric train and any other visitors. I attended the Broadway open evening on Friday a very well attended it was too. This was the last time they will hold an open evening, they were always aimed at raising the profile in Broadway its self and some funds which in the early days of the build the team had very limited funds. The plan is to open the line to Broadway Good Friday 2018. The new station building will not be fully complete internally by the line opening and the engine run round will be initially by Ground Frames. The Signal Box operating floor was open to visit, it is an excellent replica of a GWR Signal Box, like wise the station building is going to look very authentic. The pedantic could pick holes in things not being true to the 1904 era, however given the requirements of modern building regs etc the team at Broadway are doing an excellent job. Indeed the whole railway are involved, C & W at Winchcombe refurbish heritage wooden items or make new items like the Block Shelf in the Box, the Loco Dept have fabricated and are installing the steel roof trusses on the station these have been made to the same design as Toddington, the S & T are busy fitting out the Box and wayside signal posts and the PW and attacking the line form both the South and the North. The passenger use of the line North from Toddington has been extended to the point where you can now see Broadway Goods Shed! I took the 11:25 Auto Coach from Toddington north to the end of passenger use today, this was only the second steam hauled train to use new section of line (the first being the 10:55) I will post some photos when I have sorted them out, difficult to see very much of the new station as it was fenced off due to being a construction site. I will add the Broadway team do act very professionally in the way the conduct their site works which is a credit to them. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Electric train on May 28, 2017, 15:37:25 Photos ;D I used a wide angle lens so some may look a little distorted also the light was a bit tough with the setting sun
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4203/34135229893_0c4dea7749.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/U1pYAr)IMG_6865 (https://flic.kr/p/U1pYAr) by Electric Train (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151151315@N06/), on Flickr (https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4221/34558498710_b46f89ae31_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/UDPkEE)IMG_6879 (https://flic.kr/p/UDPkEE) by Electric Train (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151151315@N06/), on Flickr (https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4222/34102845984_5589bbc5b0.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/TXxZZb)IMG_6851 (https://flic.kr/p/TXxZZb) by Electric Train (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151151315@N06/), on Flickr (https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4219/34102847394_a94def5b5d.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/TXy1pu)IMG_6854 (https://flic.kr/p/TXy1pu) by Electric Train (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151151315@N06/), on Flickr (https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4222/34813789991_2c2d5f071d.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/V3nLSt)IMG_6834-2 (https://flic.kr/p/V3nLSt) by Electric Train (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151151315@N06/), on Flickr (https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4220/34782211992_b9dc1940f1.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/UZzVQd)IMG_6875 (https://flic.kr/p/UZzVQd) by Electric Train (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151151315@N06/), on Flickr (https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4251/34135230313_55072f79a1.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/U1pYHF)IMG_6868 (https://flic.kr/p/U1pYHF) by Electric Train (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151151315@N06/), on Flickr (https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4251/34135228813_55d9b051b5.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/U1pYgP)IMG_6859 (https://flic.kr/p/U1pYgP) by Electric Train (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151151315@N06/), on Flickr (https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4243/34102836974_7bfe4b5a6e.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/TXxXiQ)IMG_6845-2 (https://flic.kr/p/TXxXiQ) by Electric Train (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151151315@N06/), on Flickr (https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4203/34945766245_7fe8ea5fe9.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Vf3bP8)IMG_6842-2 (https://flic.kr/p/Vf3bP8) by Electric Train (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151151315@N06/), on Flickr (https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4222/34813789991_2c2d5f071d.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/V3nLSt)IMG_6834-2 (https://flic.kr/p/V3nLSt) by Electric Train (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151151315@N06/), on Flickr (https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4272/34558499620_27025f85ed_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/UDPkWm)IMG_6881 (https://flic.kr/p/UDPkWm) by Electric Train (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151151315@N06/), on Flickr (https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4272/34558500260_b9055e0155.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/UDPm8o)IMG_6885 (https://flic.kr/p/UDPm8o) by Electric Train (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151151315@N06/), on Flickr Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: johnneyw on June 07, 2017, 21:42:49 All hail Hayles Abbey Halt! The halt was opened on Monday. Footage I saw looks like even the weather was relatively kind, all considering the national picture.
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Red Squirrel on October 25, 2017, 20:21:10 The scaffolding is down at Broadway Station, and after all that heartache two years ago just look at the amazing result:
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KN1HtZl5hcg/WfDDY2QLH3I/AAAAAAAAKpw/ycxeIDqEqh8cfzkoL297YYTlEzcD4VUFACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_4960.JPG) Photo: Broadway Extension Blog (http://broadwayextensionblog.blogspot.co.uk/2017/10/ballast-and-beauty-revealed.html) The track will be laid shortly - brand new bullhead rail, on brand new jarrah sleepers. Fantastic! Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: grahame on October 25, 2017, 21:13:12 The scaffolding is down at Broadway Station ... The track will be laid shortly - brand new bullhead rail, on brand new jarrah sleepers. Fantastic! GRIP 6 then? Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Chris from Nailsea on October 25, 2017, 22:42:11 Never mind getting a GRIP - they JFDI! ::)
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: CyclingSid on October 26, 2017, 08:00:40 and in case you didn't notice this item on one of their senior members:
https://inews.co.uk/essentials/news/uk/steam-engine-driver-steps-footplate-65-years-railways/ Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Red Squirrel on November 05, 2017, 14:12:08 Quote The cafe, for which the station building was laid out with dining room and kitchen, has just been dropped from the plans in a surprise move. Instead, the space will become a souvenir shop, with a coffee machine. [snip] Concerns about staffing the intended cafe have led to this last minute change of plan, we were able to ascertain. Source: GWSR Extension Blog (http://broadwayextensionblog.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/into-platforms.html) Any thoughts..? Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: ChrisB on November 05, 2017, 14:37:21 Looks as though there wasn't much chance to make a profit for those interested in bidding to run it?
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Red Squirrel on November 05, 2017, 15:43:14 The implication is that they haven't asked anyone beyond their own volunteers to staff it.
On the face of it (and of course this is just my uninformed opinion) the cafe ought to be viable - there's a popular Caravan Club site next door with no onsite catering facilities and providing a steady stream of visitors; there are no other facilities nearby (Broadway village centre is nearly a kilometre away) and the station itself is maturing into an attraction in its own right. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: ChrisB on November 05, 2017, 15:48:13 Maybe you're right - but surely, they'd put feelers out to local trades people to see if anyone wanted a concession before redesigning it?
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Red Squirrel on November 05, 2017, 16:01:44 You would, and I would... :)
The debate rumbles on on the blog site comments section... Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: TonyK on November 05, 2017, 17:43:22 Any thoughts..? A shame, unless Pumpkin were going to run it. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Electric train on November 06, 2017, 20:18:30 Quote The cafe, for which the station building was laid out with dining room and kitchen, has just been dropped from the plans in a surprise move. Instead, the space will become a souvenir shop, with a coffee machine. [snip] Concerns about staffing the intended cafe have led to this last minute change of plan, we were able to ascertain. Source: GWSR Extension Blog (http://broadwayextensionblog.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/into-platforms.html) Give them time, once Broadway gets established and they understand the footfall I am sure the catering offering will increase. Must admit I always enjoy a coffee, sandwich and a slice of cake at Winchcombe Any thoughts..? Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: johnneyw on November 06, 2017, 21:09:03 A shop has a lower start up cost. Given that GWSR have financial constraints just like everyone else and they have (I gather) to budget for the platform 2 waiting room still to be built, a delay to a cafe my be a necessary measure. I'm sure it could turn a profit but a 2018 opening may be step too early. A little more clarity of intention might be a bit more diplomatic though.
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: ChrisB on November 06, 2017, 21:47:40 That would be the case if they were to run it themselves & perfectly understandable, but they could sell a concession for immediate income
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Red Squirrel on November 07, 2017, 09:22:00 A shop has a lower start up cost. Given that GWSR have financial constraints just like everyone else and they have (I gather) to budget for the platform 2 waiting room still to be built, a delay to a cafe my be a necessary measure. I'm sure it could turn a profit but a 2018 opening may be step too early. A little more clarity of intention might be a bit more diplomatic though. This issue seems to have come to light because the station building has reached the point where the location of services needs to be decided. Presumably someone thinks it's a good idea to economise by not installing plumbing, drainage and kitchen electrics. It looks like the powers that be in the GWSR have a fixed view of what a cafe should be - they appear to have ruled our franchising it, and it doesn't appear to have crossed their minds that for most people a decent cup of tea or can of pop with maybe a slice of Mr Kipling or a bag of crisps is quite sufficient, requires little equipment to prepare, and can be sold with a decent markup. Hot food could come later. The 'Board' state in their blog that they wish to "increase the size of their retail estate" - as if they were John Lewis or something. Presumably they have access to market analytics, hidden from the rest of us, that show exponential growth in the gift shop tat market whilst coffee shops stagnate; the evidence of my eyes suggests otherwise. They also say that this decision was taken two years ago... if that's the case then it looks like they didn't communicate it very well to the people who are building the station. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Richard Fairhurst on November 07, 2017, 09:56:54 That would be the case if they were to run it themselves & perfectly understandable, but they could sell a concession for immediate income Quite. As a cafe magnate (ho ho - well, the chairman of Charlbury Deli & Cafe Ltd) I know we'd be very interested if a similar opportunity arose here; indeed, we run the cafe in the new Charlbury Community Centre as our second venue.For an existing business, it's a really attractive prospect. You don't need a kitchen; you prepare the sandwiches etc. at your main cafe in the less busy periods, then ship them up to the station to be sold there. I don't know the Broadway site well enough to comment definitively, but the combination of steam railway, Caravan Club site, and its situation in a busy walking/cycling area makes it look like a good prospect for a cafe business. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Red Squirrel on November 07, 2017, 10:05:16 I don't suppose you could be persuaded to post words to that effect here, could you?
http://gwrboardroom.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/broadway-station-there-appears-to-be.html Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: TonyK on November 07, 2017, 10:19:53 Quite. As a cafe magnate (ho ho - well, the chairman of Charlbury Deli & Cafe Ltd) I know we'd be very interested if a similar opportunity arose here; indeed, we run the cafe in the new Charlbury Community Centre as our second venue. For an existing business, it's a really attractive prospect. You don't need a kitchen; you prepare the sandwiches etc. at your main cafe in the less busy periods, then ship them up to the station to be sold there. I don't know the Broadway site well enough to comment definitively, but the combination of steam railway, Caravan Club site, and its situation in a busy walking/cycling area makes it look like a good prospect for a cafe business. Cheese scones, please. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Richard Fairhurst on November 07, 2017, 10:22:36 Red Squirrel - I will, but it's Blogger with its accursed commenting system that seems to break every browser I try, so it might take a few goes...
4TN - come over to Charlbury and we'll sell you some cake. :) Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: caliwag on November 07, 2017, 10:23:37 Well, The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway (EVR) in Wirksworth, Derbyshire appears to operate a very successful outfit in an ex Gatwick Express coach in a station siding. No idea how it's staffed, but they attract locals, walkers, cyclists, tourists and trainloads for hot and cold snacks. I receive a free, daily update email from the railway (Just sign up) on progress, specials, vistitors and successes of the engineerium. (all very positive news in these bleak times, and I thank them for it). No doubt like GWSR, it's a very well run operation, largely by dedicated volunteers. I'm sure if a catering officer from GWSR contacted the EVR operation, advice would be forthcoming, to say nothing of a 'behind the scenes tour and a warm welcome) I'm not even a member of the EVR, just a visitor. Jim
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: TonyK on November 07, 2017, 10:32:10 4TN - come over to Charlbury and we'll sell you some cake. :) I shall be in Oxfordshire later this week. I shall apply for shore leave. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: johnneyw on November 16, 2017, 21:50:40 Looks like the GWSR board has had a change of mind regarding the Broadway cafe according to their boardroom blog and the Broadway Station Rebuild blog.
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Electric train on November 17, 2017, 11:19:05 Looks like the GWSR board has had a change of mind regarding the Broadway cafe according to their boardroom blog and the Broadway Station Rebuild blog. They have acted as all good boards of trustees should act, they looked at the commercial viability of a café and made a proposal, however they have been willing to take on board the views of the volunteers building Broadway and in my view have agreed to a café provided a case can be made for its staffing etc. I for one look forward to sitting at Broadway café and having a coffee, a slice of cake and a sandwich Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Chris from Nailsea on November 18, 2017, 00:36:59 In polite circles, one partakes of the sandwich first, followed (perhaps) by a slice of cake. ;)
Best wishes to the Broadway café, anyway! :D Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: patch38 on November 18, 2017, 10:45:26 (http://heartachetohealing.com/wp-content/uploads/stockholm-WI-restaurant.jpg)
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: sikejsudjek3 on December 23, 2017, 23:06:13 The first works train reaches Broadway station. Fantastic achievement for a heritage line - on time and on budget with most of the track laid with continuous welded rail to a very high standard.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGU4TTG5YTE&feature=youtu.be Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: SandTEngineer on December 24, 2017, 08:32:35 The first works train reaches Broadway station. Fantastic achievement for a heritage line - on time and on budget with most of the track laid with continuous welded rail to a very high standard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGU4TTG5YTE&feature=youtu.be ...wot, no hard hats, goggles etc....... ::) ;) Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Oberon on December 24, 2017, 22:13:54 Perhaps GWSR aught to be encouraged to bid for the GWR franchise
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: sikejsudjek3 on December 25, 2017, 09:19:28 The first works train reaches Broadway station. Fantastic achievement for a heritage line - on time and on budget with most of the track laid with continuous welded rail to a very high standard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGU4TTG5YTE&feature=youtu.be ...wot, no hard hats, goggles etc....... ::) ;) Goggles are used for rail cutting etc. and there are plenty of hard hats if needed. Which for watching a train go into a station they aren't ! FYI from the HSE site "If there is no risk of injury to the head, then hard hats are not required by law." :) Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: SandTEngineer on December 25, 2017, 11:08:22 The first works train reaches Broadway station. Fantastic achievement for a heritage line - on time and on budget with most of the track laid with continuous welded rail to a very high standard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGU4TTG5YTE&feature=youtu.be ...wot, no hard hats, goggles etc....... ::) ;) Goggles are used for rail cutting etc. and there are plenty of hard hats if needed. Which for watching a train go into a station they aren't ! FYI from the HSE site "If there is no risk of injury to the head, then hard hats are not required by law." :) It was a joke that obviously backfired in your case. I've worked on the track for the past 49 years and have only been hit on the head once and that was by a flying rolled up newspaper hurled out of a delayed train window by some frustrated commuter. In the first 18 years of my career never wore a hard hat once (just a wooly one!). Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: sikejsudjek3 on December 25, 2017, 11:51:51 Apologies if I took your comment the wrong way. :)
Actually I too used to wear a hard had on my 10 years on P.Way - and it didn't save a single accident but was a huge pain in the arse when clipping up track because it kept falling off ! Anyway have a great Christmas and its certainly great news that the GWR are in Broadway. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: TonyK on December 25, 2017, 19:18:26 I used to wear a hard hat underground. Without it, I wouldn't have hit my head on the roof so much, but it was handy for holding my lamp.
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: ellendune on December 25, 2017, 19:24:08 I once worked on a tunneling site - not high enough to stand up in. There was a doorway part way along installed for possible airlock if needed (never was), and once I walked straight into it (bent over so straight on top of my head) quite hard. Very grateful for hard hat then!
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Oxonhutch on December 25, 2017, 21:26:53 I used to wear a hard hat underground. Without it, I wouldn't have hit my head on the roof so much, but it was handy for holding my lamp. Mine bears the scars of Witwatersrand quartzite. Hard knocks, good times, mostly ... Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: johnneyw on January 11, 2018, 17:00:10 Regulars or occasional visitors to the railway may have noticed, as have I, the component parts of a steam loco that has sat on wagons on the north headshunt from Toddington for a very long time and wondered what it was there for and what was going to be done with it.
Well, according to the GWSR Broadway extension blog it's No 76077 in dismantled kit form which is now moving to proper restoration. More details are also on the GWSR Steam Loco blog but it only had a short working life before retirement and so is actually in remarkably good nick. Nice to see an old loco being restored in what may be a relatively short while. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: TonyK on January 12, 2018, 12:30:46 Nice to see an old loco being restored in what may be a relatively short while. What, under 15 years maybe? Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: johnneyw on January 12, 2018, 13:37:24 Nice to see an old loco being restored in what may be a relatively short while. What, under 15 years maybe? Yes, reckless haste I know but this one really might not take geological time. The frame is off to Loughborough I gather for professional assembly. Parts for it have been procured over the years apparently and the blog implies it might run on the GWSR. http://gwsrsteamloco.blogspot.co.uk/2017/ Found on the 31st Dec edition about 2/3rds down. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Red Squirrel on January 12, 2018, 13:59:38 If they apply the GRIP process, we can expect to see it running some time in the early 2090s...
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: johnneyw on January 12, 2018, 14:46:44 If they apply the GRIP process, we can expect to see it running some time in the early 2090s... Please let this fall under JFDI rather than GRIP! Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: sikejsudjek3 on March 09, 2018, 21:24:06 The first test train with a steam engine entered Broadway station today :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08MX_92rYjM&feature=youtu.be Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: TonyK on March 11, 2018, 23:51:29 As tests go, that one went jolly well, I reckon!
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: sikejsudjek3 on March 22, 2018, 04:06:08 First train with passengers to stop at Broadway since 1960, a special for members and shareholders.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVHB95g4RUo Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: chuffed on June 06, 2018, 17:57:16 Was able to give my regards to Broadway today as a birthday treat for tomorrow by my good partner in rail related matters (many thanks to trainer). We were hauled by King Edward II and I did wonder if there were any red hot pokers left behind in the firebox. Very well loaded with coach parties.The new station and the new extension seems resplendently splendid with the Broadway station having no less than 4 fully uniformed staff on the platform. Weather was perfect, you could see for miles, and think it was one of the best return journeys I have had on the line in recent years.
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: johnneyw on July 25, 2021, 21:50:39 I thought that reviving this thread was more appropriate than starting a new one given the news here from the Beeb regarding the GWSR's 40th anniversary.
Happy 40th GWSR! https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-57914924 Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: MVR S&T on July 25, 2021, 21:53:58 Wrong link I think!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-57914924 Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: johnneyw on July 25, 2021, 22:23:35 Wrong link I think! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-57914924 Yep, I noticed that too and quickly changed it! Don't think the GWSR reaches as far South as Avonmouth! :o Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: johnneyw on August 07, 2021, 12:54:58 GWSR in the news again with what could be their securing of trackbed between Broadway and Honeybourne. Current owners, Railway Paths Ltd (a subsidiary of Sustrans), apparently don't see the trackbed as fitting in with their plans, hence the prospect of a change in ownership.
Even if it all happens, don't expect a link up with GBR at Honeybourne anytime soon, as the article below says, the GWSR are some way off being ready to extend that far yet. https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2021/08/gwsr-could-take-on-broadway-to-honeybourne-trackbed.html Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: ChrisB on August 08, 2021, 10:20:30 GWSR say they have no funds after Covid effects on their finances & a survey of the bridges on the offered trackbed show minimal upkeep by RPL with work now necessary on most of them. Difficult situation
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Witham Bobby on August 09, 2021, 12:23:42 As a frequent road user of the bridges along this section of trackbed, I have to say that the majority appear to be in a fairly ropey condition. It's no wonder that Sustrans, having done nothing but neglect this infrastructure for, what, quarter of a century, now want to be shot of it. The bridge repair bill would obviously be above the seven-figure mark.
This section last saw traffic (other than demolition trains) in 1976, 45 years ago. BR did precious little maintenance in the years prior to that. I really hope the GWSR can do something, over time, to restore trains between Honeybourne and Broadway, but it will be a mega costly enterprise Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Electric train on August 09, 2021, 14:26:53 I do hope they elect to purchase it to safe guard any future option, if they did a share offering its is something I would consider
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: johnneyw on August 09, 2021, 23:43:22 I think that passive provision of the line is the best bet at present. It rather depends on what Sustrans want for it.
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: CyclingSid on August 10, 2021, 06:51:41 It possibly needs more local authorities to do what the New Forest National Park did. They made a ruling that former railway lines and associated areas (not sure of the wording for the second half) could only be used for active and sustainable transport. Thus preserving the Chichester - Midhurst line and the Petersfield - Pulborough line and the former Hampshire lines within their area from further development.
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: ChrisB on August 10, 2021, 08:16:21 I think that passive provision of the line is the best bet at present. It rather depends on what Sustrans want for it. My understanding is that they just want shot of it, so for next to nothing. BUT the DfT want the highways authority to pick it up so that the bridges get maintained, leasing to GWSR antvof course the total lack of any bridge maintenance means a big bill for the taxpayers through the precept to carry this work out. Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Witham Bobby on August 10, 2021, 13:26:04 Some pictures of the current condition of some of the bridges etc can be found here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zig3js84ef7role/AACz7bcl-ImomVlwTD1cxXoma?dl=0 It's a big mess Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: rogerw on August 30, 2021, 17:52:40 Visited the line today for a day out. Round trip from Toddington with a break at Broadway. Two 7 coach trains operating busy but plenty of space. Also visited the narrow gauge line which hasn't been operating on my previous visits. Nice day out, but more expensive than previous years.
Title: Re: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line Post by: Electric train on August 31, 2021, 18:55:54 Visited the line today for a day out. Round trip from Toddington with a break at Broadway. Two 7 coach trains operating busy but plenty of space. Also visited the narrow gauge line which hasn't been operating on my previous visits. Nice day out, but more expensive than previous years. I did a trip Tuesday last week, it was a great day as always. The narrow gauge was not operating the day I went though. The railway was busy but plenty of space on board the trains. I am a share holder and get free tickets, but I decided to pay the normal fare to give the railway the revenue This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |