‘GlosWarks’ breaks six-figure barrier with 2016’s last train
Passenger numbers on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway broke the six-figure barrier for the first time in the line’s history - on the very last operating day of the season. GWSR Financial Director Chris Bristow told Steam Railway before Christmas that the line was on track to hit the six-figure mark, but it has been revealed that the final figure for 2016 stands at 100,020 meaning the milestone was passed on the last train of the year. This figure is a 13% increase compared with 2015, itself a recordbreaking year for the ‘GlosWarks’ and, according to press officer Ian Crowder, all the line’s events throughout the year bar one (‘A Day Out with Thomas’) also attracted record-breaking numbers. Further railways have reported a successful 2016 in terms of passengers. The Dean Forest Railway enjoyed its most successful year ever, with over 40,000 people making the 4¼-mile journey from Lydney to Parkend, breaking the previous record of 39,632 - held since 2006 when the northern extension from Norchard to Parkend was opened. An additional 10,500 people visited the Nene Valley Railway in 2016 compared with the previous year, with the line reporting that passenger numbers were up 15% on 2015 - the best for many years. Recently appointed General Manager Sarah Piggott said: “Quite obviously we are thrilled with these figures. It is definitely a well deserved reward for staff and volunteers alike following the huge amount of effort they have put in over the last year.” This follows the NVR’s most successful ‘Santa’ season on record, when numbers had to be capped at 20,500 for fear that the grotto would run out of presents. Narrow gauge railways also benefited from good passenger figures, as the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway carried just over 52,000 visitors on its milelong line. L&B Chairman Peter Miles says: “It’s very good isn’t it? The railway generates a profit which goes back into the trust, which helps with our land purchase schemes.” This helps put the railway on a firm footing for its proposed four-mile extension to Wistlandpound; it is expected that the Exmoor National Park Authority will make a decision on the line’s planning application by May at the latest.