Santa gets to go to town

The sound of 4270’s whistle was crisp and clear in the December morning on 5th December as the GWSR successfully kicked off its Santa Specials for 2020. This year running from Toddington rather than Cheltenham, the first round of families headed down the line to the ‘North Pole’ to see the big man in red.

Setting off for the first train

Understandably, this year Santas have to run a little differently. Gloucestershire is in Tier 2, which luckily means we are still able to run and minimal changes to plans had to be made. Some of our fellow heritage railways have not been so lucky this year as Covid continues to hit them hard, but the GWSR is determined to make the most of the situation.

Resplendent in the winter sun

The good news is the feedback we are getting from the general public (and featured on the BBC’s Midlands Today) has been amazingly positive, and credit must go to the Santa team for their planning and preparation in a year where question marks over running at all hung over most of the usual prep time. As the title says, Santa did indeed get to go to town this year!

Ignoring the fact that the weather is slightly more inclement (aka colder) than it was when we temporarily shut up shop in November, things at Toddington have returned to their new normal. Working parties are back in the shed, though slightly more layered up than they were, and the usual mix of winter maintenance, restorations and overhauls has picked up where it left off and is continuing at speed.

Up, up and away?

2807 has been lifted off her wheels, which spent some time living in the carpark awaiting departure to the SDR, and the team have been fitting the remaining horn ties whilst also removing the transfer beam from the front of the engine. CSPL has recently set up a new Facebook group which is being kept up to date with all the progress of the overhaul, so do check it out as there’s some interesting stuff on there straight from the hard-working group themselves.

7903 back from the North Pole

35006 has had its main driving springs replaced, however as it is not due to be used until the Mince Pie specials after Christmas the owning group still have a few weeks to finish the last little bits and pieces before she is needed in steam. The Santas are running an average of 10 miles per day, which was deemed a little short for the big Merchant Navy! Apparently, immense care and attention has been paid when replacing split pins underneath the engine, so drivers shall no longer live in fear of a stray split pin arm whilst performing their morning checks!

Whispers are beginning to float around about how the 2021 season will run, however as with everything planning wise this year nothing is concrete. The Santas are completely sold out, however if you would like to visit us the ‘Mince Pie Specials’ will be running from 27 December - 3 January, our last day before heading into winter maintenance.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We hope you have enjoyed reading the Steam blog this year. It has been a difficult year for blog content, but hopefully next year will be better, fingers crossed!

Bryony, Luke & Tom.