First steam to Broadway

Foremarke Hall is first steam locomotive to visit new ‘GlosWarks’ terminus.

‘ Modified Hall’ No. 7903 Foremarke Hall made history on March 3, as the first steam locomotive to call at Broadway station in nearly 60 years. Almost 58 years to the day since the station closed on March 7 1960, the Hawksworth 4-6-0 hauled a train into the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway’s new terminus. It was the first opportunity to run such a train since the Broadway extension was completed on December 23 last year (SR476). It hauled an eight-coach gauging train to ensure that no adjustments were necessary on either the station or permanent way ahead of March 30, when Lord Richard Faulkner of Worcester, president of the Heritage Railway Association and patron of the GWSR, will officially open the new station. ‘Merchant Navy’ No. 35006 Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co. hauled a special train for GWSR volunteers, supporters and shareholders on March 21, while public trains will run from March 30. Work continues on fitting out the interior of the booking hall, booking office and toilets in time for the opening ceremony, with the café and car park to follow later in the year.

On March 21, ‘Merchant Navy’ No. 35006 Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co. became the second steam locomotive to grace Broadway since the extension was completed.

BOTH: JACK BOSKETT The pioneering locomotive crew: Driver John Cruxon and ex-BR fireman Chris Smith lean out of Foremarke Hall’s cab on March 3.