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Author Topic: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) - heritage line  (Read 98683 times)
Lee
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« 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.
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Vous devez ĂȘtre impitoyable, parce que ces gens sont des salauds - https://looka.com/s/78722877
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« Reply #1 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 (Great Western Railway) 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.
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willc
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« Reply #2 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.
« Last Edit: May 29, 2010, 15:47:56 by chris from nailsea » Logged
Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #3 on: May 29, 2010, 15:45:29 »

From the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

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 (United Kingdom) 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.
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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #4 on: September 10, 2010, 17:54:01 »

From the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

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.
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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
John R
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« Reply #5 on: January 20, 2011, 21:06:52 »

Very sad news for anyone who follows the fortunes of the GWR (Great Western Railway). 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 (British Rail(ways)) 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)  
« Last Edit: January 20, 2011, 21:27:17 by John R » Logged
Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #6 on: January 20, 2011, 21:23:24 »

Thanks for posting that update, John.

Very sad news indeed.  Sad
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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #7 on: March 30, 2011, 14:24:57 »

Better news - from the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

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.
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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
anthony215
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« Reply #8 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.
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Tim
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« Reply #9 on: March 30, 2011, 16:05:20 »

thanks Chris.  I might take the kids on tuesday

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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #10 on: March 31, 2011, 14:11:57 »

From the Evesham Observer:

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
« Last Edit: April 24, 2011, 18:16:59 by chris from nailsea » Logged

William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #11 on: April 24, 2011, 18:06:45 »

From the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

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.
« Last Edit: April 24, 2011, 18:16:29 by chris from nailsea » Logged

William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
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« Reply #12 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
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #13 on: May 30, 2011, 20:16:00 »

From the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

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."
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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #14 on: January 01, 2012, 14:06:47 »

From the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

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.



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 (Great Western Railway)) 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.
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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
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