A heritage railway’s summer diesel gala in the Cotswolds is set to return.
The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway is hosting its popular three-day Cotswold Diesel Gala.
Running from Friday, July 24, to Sunday, July 26, the gala will see 12 locomotives in action between Cheltenham Racecourse and Broadway, including its class 122 ‘bubble car’ railcar and three visiting engines.
Visitors can enjoy model railways, behind-the-scenes tours, and depot access, with a special tribute to Pathfinder Railtours on the Sunday.
Highlights include Hymek diesel-hydraulic No. D7018 in BR two-tone green.
A rare survivor of its class, the locomotive is owned by the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group on the West Somerset Railway.
Other visiting locomotives are class 27 No. 27056, which once conveyed Prince Charles, and class 25 No. 25262, built at BR’s Derby works in 1966 and now owned by South Devon Diesel Traction Ltd.
Visitors can explore the diesel depot at Toddington, the Carriage & Wagon works, and the Signal & Telegraph departments at Winchcombe.
The privately-owned station yard at Gotherington will also be open to the public.
A free shuttle bus will run between Cheltenham Spa main line station and Cheltenham Racecourse station on the Friday and Saturday.
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Home fleet locomotives taking part include class 20s Nos. 20137 and 20228, class 24 No. 24081, class 26 No. 26043, class 37s Nos. 37215 and D6948, class 45 No. 45149, class 47s Nos. 47105 and 47376, and class 122 ‘bubble car’ No. W55003.
The railway has faced challenges this year, including a collapsed embankment between Gotherington and Bishop’s Cleeve in April and suspended services due to a heatwave in late June.
Full details are available at www.gwsr.com.
