7903 & 35006 outside the DP Shed at Toddington - 25th February 2025
Well, the kettle is well and truly on and here we are once again for another dose of scintillating waffle, including a helping of self-deprecation, a side order of unburnt coal, and of course. copious amounts of tea and biscuits. Sadly, I've yet to sample some cake at the railway this year, although I hope I might come across the odd few crumbs once Duty Cake Officer 'Smithy' has replenished his supply. If anyone's interested, I am rather partial to chocolate fudge cake or that traditional old favourite, Victoria sponge. Carrot cake, however, well... I'd rather not type what I think of that on here, for fear of upsetting the baking fraternity (I can't see myself on 'Bake Off' anytime soon). Make of that what you will folks.
Anyway, back to more important matters at hand and I'm very happy to report that the fires are burning once more and we are well underway with the 2025 operating season. As reported in the last update, the final week in February was a significant one for the steam department with both internal and official steam tests taking place on the locomotive fleet at Toddington. It's always a week of great anticipation following all of the hard work carried out over the winter shutdown period by our volunteers. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the new season comes around each and every year.
Before a locomotive can re-enter traffic and be declared serviceable for the year ahead, it has to be signed off and certified. This is for a number of reasons, but most importantly, safety and insurance purposes. Each engine undergoes a number of mechanical inspections, commonly referred to as 'exams'. This could be in the form of a 'Cold Exam', 'Hot Exam' or a 'Fitness To Run' exam - otherwise known as an FTR. These inspections and tests are a mandatory requirement for any operational steam locomotive on the railway, and the same goes for our friends with their diesel locomotive fleet. Think of a required service or the annual MOT on your car for example, albeit on a much larger scale.
7903 & 35006 undergoing internal steam testing - 25th February 2025
Luckily for me, earlier in the year I had managed to secure a couple of weeks off work in both February and March respectively. This meant that I was able to make it down to Toddington and lend a hand. Anyone who is used to shift work hours knows that it does start to get to you after a while, and thus getting some time away from my ticket office in the 'day job' was certainly most appreciated. I really haven't missed getting up between 2:30 am and 3:00 am for a change!
On the 25th February I arrived at Toddington fairly early to assist Jamie and dispose 35006. This didn't take too long to do as it had only received a warming fire the afternoon before. What was pleasing to see was that the fire was still burning lightly and there was still a certain amount of boiler pressure showing on the gauge. This is the ideal scenario as it makes things a lot easier because you are not starting with a stone cold engine (which of course, is the whole point of a warming fire). In the long run, this reduces stress and fatigue on both the locomotives metalwork and the boiler itself.
35006 warming up at Toddington under the grey skies - 25th February 2025
With the firebox cleared, ash-pan hoppers empty, and the smoke-box checked, it was time to lay the fire. Everyone has their own way of doing things and it can vary depending on the engine that you are working on. If the intention is to bring the engine into full steam, then the entirety of the grate must be covered (unlike with a warming fire). Personally, I like to cover the grate with a layer of coal first and then add some wood with some oily rags, whereas some people do it the opposite way around. Once the wood has started to burn through and the initial layer of coal has started to catch, it's then time to add a bit more coal. At every stage, it's important to ensure that there are no holes in the fire and that you cannot see any fire-bars. One thing I learnt early on in training was not to keep opening the firehole doors to check your fire.
Opening the doors too frequently doesn't allow for sufficient heat build up and your fire can quite quickly start to die down, or worse still, go out altogether (not to mention you get a face full of smoke). This has happened to me on a couple of occasions and has resulted in a few choice words, never mind a load of unburnt coal on the grate. It's a very delicate balance, though, as if you don't check or tend to your fire often enough, you can also end up with the very same result.
During a steam test, the objective is to increase the boiler pressure at a steady rate, and to carry out necessary checks at regular intervals (this is usually dictated by the PSI shown on the pressure gauge). Every locomotive is different and the key is to listen to what the engine is doing, in addition to the obvious visual cues. In the case of 35006 for example, the loco will start to bang, rattle and vibrate as the metalwork heats up. To those unfamiliar with steam locomotive practice, it can be a little disconcerting at first and does catch you off guard at times, but be rest assured, it's all perfectly normal.
With the internal testing on 7903 & 35006 successfully completed, attention turned to Friday and the all-important sign off. As has become the norm in the department, testing week gives the opportunity for more volunteers to participate in 'Warming Fire' & 'Steam Raising' training. More individuals who are trained in such activities means increased flexibility and availability for the roster clerks (in theory anyway). However, like me, the 'day job' has a habit of getting in the way!
Here is a selection of photographs and videos taken on Friday 28th February. We had quite a good turnout as well, which was pleasing to see. Mind you, when we get all the 'big toys' out, people do have a tendency to appear on shed.
2807 & 35006 undergoing their official steam tests - 28th February 2025
Happily, we were blessed with glorious weather once again, with hardly a cloud in the sky. By contrast, doing these activities in the pouring rain does test your patience, although we do have weather sheets available on the locomotives.
I spent most of the day on 35006 cleaning and pulling coal forward, while Tracy and Mark looked after the fire. I was informed that the fire proved quite stubborn to get going initially and much colourful language was necessary to provide it with some gentle encouragement. Evidently it had the desired effect, because the boiler pressure suddenly started to rise considerably, much to the amazement of Mr Marshall - "That's gone up quickly in such a short amount of time!".
Suffice to say, it wasn't long before we were ready for the boiler inspector and the required tests were carried out.
Time to wake up the neighbours - 28th February 2025
2807 heads for a trundle around Toddington - 28th February 2025 - Video courtesy of Brian Gamlin
The great news for the department was that all three locomotives passed their inspections and were declared fit for use. A day later, 7903 took the helm and operated our first trains of the season, with sunshine to brighten the occasion.
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway - 7903 Opens the 2025 Season
Last weekend saw the first weekend of running of the 2025 season on the GWSR. This also coincided with the first decent weekend of weather of the year. 7903 kicked off the season and this its last year in traffic, before its ticket runs out. The Hall was rostered in the only steam service of both days and looked at home on the Chocolate and Cream MK1s. I captured about 6 pleasing shots of the Hall over the two days, but I’ll only feature 2 of them - Video © Steam Valley Productions
7903 'Foremarke Hall' slogs past Didbrook | GWSR Season Opener | 01/03/2025
Following a winter shutdown period, steam returned to the Cotswolds over the weekend of 1st-2nd of March 2025, with the commencement of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway's operating season. Running to the line's 'blue' timetable (1 steam & DMU diagram), the reopening weekend's steam workings were allocated to BR (W) 'Modified Hall' 4-6-0 No. 7903 'Foremarke Hall'.
In perfect weather conditions, I paid a visit to Didbrook on the morning of Saturday 1st March, the plan being to film the very first service of the GWSR's season - the 10:00am departure from Toddington. With a distant, echoing blast on its whistle, 7903 soon comes into view, being opened up with a brief spell of claggy exhaust. Steadily accelerating round the curve on its approach, the 'Modified Hall' saunters past bound for Cheltenham with 8 MK1s in tow. Video © 85A Steam Videos
Following a winter shutdown period, steam returned to the Cotswolds over the weekend of 1st-2nd of March 2025, with the commencement of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway's operating season. Running to the line's 'blue' timetable (1 steam & DMU diagram), the reopening weekend's steam workings were allocated to BR (W) 'Modified Hall' 4-6-0 No. 7903 'Foremarke Hall'.
In perfect weather conditions, I paid a visit to Didbrook on the morning of Saturday 1st March, the plan being to film the very first service of the GWSR's season - the 10:00am departure from Toddington. With a distant, echoing blast on its whistle, 7903 soon comes into view, being opened up with a brief spell of claggy exhaust. Steadily accelerating round the curve on its approach, the 'Modified Hall' saunters past bound for Cheltenham with 8 MK1s in tow. Video © 85A Steam Videos
35006 at Cheltenham Racecourse Station - Sunday 9th March 2025 - Photo courtesy of Dan Wigg
On Monday 10th March, Tom, Andrew and I were down at Toddington to prep the initial locomotives for the start of 'Race Week'. 7903 & 35006 were rostered to operate the in-service trains on Tuesday, with 6880 being the 'Hot' standby engine, should one be required during the day. The first tasks of the day were to dispose 35006 and then shunt the locomotives around accordingly so that they were in the correct position. Disposing the 'Merchant' was quite a challenge, even with the rocking grate, as there was quite a thick layer of clinker and ash to remove. My arms have just about recovered. By the early evening, we had all three locomotives prepared and warming up for week ahead.
35006, 7903 & 6880 warming up on shed - 10th March 2025
By mid-afternoon I'd got the fire going on 35006 reasonably well - 10th March 2025
6880 & 7903 warming up - Sadly the weather wasn't kind to us - 10th March 2025
Putting on the 'Race Trains' for Cheltenham is no small task and requires an awful lot of planning and manpower across the GWSR. That being said, we have done it for many years now and the event is operated with military-like precision.
Please Note: Bookings for the Race Trains are handled by 'Classic Hospitality' - See here for further details.
As a reminder, we are just a couple of months away from our biggest event of the year.
Tickets for the Festival are available online at https://www.gwsr.com/galas/steam-gala.
With an eclectic mix of steam locomotives running, it will offer an
action-packed timetable of trains, including goods trains and shunting
demonstrations. The locomotive and carriage & wagon workshops will
throw open their doors for rare behind-the-scenes visits and there will
be plenty of other activity at the railway’s picturesque stations* .
NEW just out! An exclusive DVD produced by Matt Fielding of Steam Valley Productions depicting the GWSR throughout 2024. Our 2023 edition sold out completely and this high quality DVD is available from our shops along the GWSR and also online at: https://www.gwsr.vticket.co.uk/product.php/2954/dvd-steam-on-the-gloucestershire-warwickshire-railway-202
My new DVD “Steam On The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway” is out with action from the 2024 season. All home fleet and visiting locos are included, featuring the popular visits of for the ‘Western Workhorse Gala’ of 6880 Betton Grange, 2999 Lady Of Legend and GWR Mogul 9351. The return to traffic of 3850 is also featured along with 7820 Dinmore Manors last full year in traffic during just over an hour of footage from the lineside - Video © Steam Valley Productions
For those of you who use Facebook, here are a number of GWSR related groups which are worth following:
I'm glad I've put the heating on as I kid you not, I've just looked outside and it's snowing!
Until next time folks, further CFOS news and announcements are on the way.
Alex (the sooty one!).
* Please Note: All locomotives are subject to availability and changes may be made at short notice.
All published photographs and videos are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.
