MIXED FORTUNES FOR ‘GLOSWARKS’ MIXED TRAFFIC EVENT
Despite losing three guest locomotives, and a 20% drop in passengers compared to last year’s event, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway’s ‘Cotswold Festival of Steam’ gala still made a £35,000 profit. Nearly 3,000 visitors attended the three-day ‘Workhorses of Steam’-themed gala (May 27-29), which featured visiting Collett ‘14XX’ No. 1450 hauling the first public passenger trains over the railway’s northern extension to Little Buckland. The 0-4-2T remained at the ‘GlosWarks’ after the gala to open Hayles Abbey Halt (see story, right). BR Standard ‘4MT’ No. 76017 was the unexpected star of the show, having been drafted in at the last minute to stand in for West Somerset Railway-based ‘7F’ No. 53808, which was required to cover for the WSR’s ‘4F’ No. 44422 after the latter failed with piston ring problems. The S&D 2-8-0 was one of three visiting locomotives to drop out of the gala; the Churnet Valley Railway’s ‘S160’ No. 6046 pulled out two days before the event having failed with an overheated big end bearing, while Great Central Railway-based ‘Black Five’ No. 45305 was forced to withdraw due to overrunning firebox repairs. Despite the motive power problems, “the gala was a huge success,” said GWSR Press Officer Ian Crowder. “No. 76017 was certainly a popular feature, especially when double-heading with the ‘Merchant Navy’ [No. 35006 Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co.] - that was really something. Both were once resident at Salisbury, and this is the first time they have been together in steam since 1964.” All the GWSR’s resident steam fleet were in action, with No. 35006, ‘Modified Hall’ No. 7903 Foremarke Hall, ‘Manor’ No. 7820 Dinmore Manor, ‘28XX’ No. 2807 and ‘42XX’ No. 4270 rounding out the line-up. A 10¼in gauge model of ‘A3’ Flying Scotsman was also on display. Commenting on why passenger numbers were down compared to last year’s event, Mr Crowder said: “The let-down by three locomotives must have played a part. There was also a lot of local competition, including the free-to-enter Tall Ships event at Gloucester Docks. “Are we disappointed? No, not really. Financially, it contributed well, numbers were comfortable and it was a really enjoyable weekend - not just for us who put it on but for all those who visited.”