Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway railway extension is now within sight of Broadway

Track-laying for the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway's extension towards Broadway has now crossed the county boundary near Little Buckland.

Lee Alibone, the railway's permanent way director, said: “Crossing the county boundary is a huge boost for the railway and especially for our volunteer permanent way gang. They've been working flat-out to lay countless concrete sleepers, each weighing nearly a quarter of a tonne, then clipping the rail to them and welding the joints together. Now, we are literally within sight of Broadway station approximately three-quarters of a mile away.

“The line is being laid to the highest possible standards. Not only are we using brand-new, flat-bottomed rail exactly the same as on the national network, but we are continuously welding it which will reduce maintenance and future-proof the line for generations to come.

“We are also using thousands of tonnes of stone ballast which comes from a Forest of Dean quarry. And we are using track aligning and levelling equipment provided by specialist contractors, to make the line ready for trains. It's exactly the same kind of kit that is used on Network Rail.”

Three years ago, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway refurbished the five bridges between Laverton, the then-northern extent of the line, and Broadway at a cost of over £500,000.

Meanwhile, construction of the new station building at Broadway by volunteers is also pressing ahead.

Mr Alibone said: “We are certainly well on target to complete the extension by 2018. The work we have completed so far, to the highest professional standards, just shows what can be achieved by volunteers with good planning and determination. When it’s finished it will bring a huge economic boost to the region.

“This is such a worthwhile project that will put Broadway firmly back on the railway map. For the first time since 1960, Broadway people will be able to catch a train to Cheltenham.”