Autumn gala swansong for popular Churchward before overhaul withdrawal

THE Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway’s autumn mixed traffic gala will be a showcase of the railway’s fleet as well as marking the final appearance of popular Churchward 2-8-0T No. 4270 before it is withdrawn for overhaul.

The October 29/30 event will also bring together two of the most powerful express locomotives, one steam and the other diesel. Class 55 Deltic No. 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier will fly the flag for diesel traction, while Merchant Navy Pacific No. 35006 Peninsular & Oriental SN Co will represent steam.

G/WR’s gala committee chairman Tom Wilson said: “This is shaping up to be an exciting event with a heady mix of steam and diesel. It also brings together locomotives that worked on the east, west and south coasts, Scotland, and Western region together in the Cotswolds.”

The boiler certificate of No. 4270 was due to expire a few weeks before the event but was expected to gain a short extension to allow it to partake in the showcase.

Also appearing will be WR 4-6-0s Nos. 7820 Dinmore Manor and 7903 Foremarke Hall, resulting in all four of the currently operational steam locomotives running together for one last time for the foreseeable future.

It was expected that either resident class 47 No. 47105 or Class 37 No. 37225 will be turned out, maybe joined by Class 20 No. 20228 and green-liveried Class 37 D6948 if work on them is completed in time.

There will be demonstration freight trains and brake van rides, with non-stop runs and double-heading all working to an intensive timetable, promising an action-packed weekend.

Behind-the-scenes tours of the Winchcombe carriage and wagon department and Toddington’s David Page shed will give a rare opportunity to see three GWR 2-8-0 tender locomotives undergoing restoration or overhaul: Nos. 3850 and 2807, and 2874, which is being restored from ex-Barry scrapyard condition.

Footplate rides will be offered on steam and, for the first time, on diesels. There will be a free bus link between the G/WR’s Cheltenham Racecourse and the main line

Cheltenham Spa stations. Gala tickets and more information about the event can be found online at www.gwsr.com

➜ Meanwhile, the Deltic Preservation Society’s appeal for the main line equipment for No. 55019 is going well, with just “the funding for installation now left to raise,” said a spokesman. “The dream, though, would be to have all three of our locomotives main line certified.” In addition to the gala, No. 55019 is also set to operate on the G/WR October 9.

Sister D9015 Tulyar remains under overhaul at the society’s Barrow Hill depot (see picture, page 53). The overhauled bogies are expected to be returned underneath the locomotive during October.