The last time I checked it was 2024, but having just glanced at the calendar again we seem to have arrived rather comfortably at 2025. ‘Time never stops’ as they say, or rather, ‘no rest for the wicked’ when it comes to the steam locomotive department. I had hoped that we would get a turntable for Christmas, but alas, I have it on good authority that it was over the weight limit for Santa’s sleigh. Perhaps the stars will align for us in the future. I do have a Peco version on my model railway mind you, although I fear getting 35006 or any of our fleet to fit on it would be a somewhat futile exercise. Anyway, back to the proverbial coal face and a Happy New Year to all our readers.
2025 marks a significant point in history as it’s the 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway in 1825. On New Year’s Day, the GWSR, along with other heritage railways across the county, came together to mark this special occasion with a ‘Whistle Up’ to signal the start of a big year of ‘Railway 200’ celebrations. 3850 did the honours at Cheltenham Racecourse Station, with 7820 doing the same at the other end of the line at Broadway Station. A great day was certainly had by all those involved despite the weather being rather unsavoury, but it is January after all.
Video courtesy of Jack Boskett
Whistle Off at Broadway station - 1st January 2025 - Video courtesy of Ian Crowder
7820 Dinmore Manor Farewell On The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway - 2nd January 2025 - Video © Steam Valley Productions Caption below.
"Yesterday (Thursday 2nd) saw a long overdue and awaited perfect photographers day. With a cold, still and sunny day forecasted this combined with 7820 Dinmore Manors last couple of days in ticket on the GWSR. The day turned out to be a perfect one. The other loco in action was 3850 although not featured in this video. We see 7820 first at Hailes Abbey and then leaving Winchcombe sounding and looking great. It’s a loco I’ve always had a soft spot for as it was the first loco I videoed on the GWSR and it’s always been a bit of a sun magnet. Look forward to seeing it back in the near future and hopefully in BR Black again."
Perfect Conditions: 7820 & 3850 - Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway - 2nd January 2025 - Video © Speed To The West Caption below.
"For the first outing of the year, a trip to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway beckoned. On a gloriously sunny winter's morning, we capture two trains around Didbrook, as they head away from Toddington. GWR 2800 No.3850 is seen first at the head of the 10:00 departure to Cheltenham. The loco returned to service some time last year, following an overhaul, and now sports a very fetching GWR wartime black livery, having spent its previous boiler ticket in BR black.
From the freshly overhauled 3850, we catch BR built 'Manor' No.7820 'Dinmore Manor' who, at the time of filming, was on the last few days of it's boiler ticket, working its last trains on January 5th before being withdrawn from service ready for overhaul. Positioned in the field just north of the previous location, we're treated to some Manor thunder, as Dinmore gets away from Toddington in great style with the 11:15 to Cheltenham, ending off with a rendition of "On Ilkla Mooar Baht 'at" as it whistles past Hayles Abbey Halt in the distance.
Filmed on Thursday 2nd January 2025, using a Panasonic HC-X1500 with an Audio-Technica BP4025 microphone."
From the freshly overhauled 3850, we catch BR built 'Manor' No.7820 'Dinmore Manor' who, at the time of filming, was on the last few days of it's boiler ticket, working its last trains on January 5th before being withdrawn from service ready for overhaul. Positioned in the field just north of the previous location, we're treated to some Manor thunder, as Dinmore gets away from Toddington in great style with the 11:15 to Cheltenham, ending off with a rendition of "On Ilkla Mooar Baht 'at" as it whistles past Hayles Abbey Halt in the distance.
Filmed on Thursday 2nd January 2025, using a Panasonic HC-X1500 with an Audio-Technica BP4025 microphone."
The
5th January was a poignant day for the department, not only because it
marked the end of the 2024 operating season, but it was also the final
day in traffic for 7820 Dinmore Manor before her boiler ticket expired
the following day. Rather fittingly, 7820 was rostered to work alongside
3850, which, as many of our readers will know, returned to steam
following overhaul last year. I, along with many fellow volunteers, have
spent many happy hours over the years either working on, or riding
behind 7820. A much loved and respected locomotive at the railway, the
‘Manor’ now gets a well-deserved rest, and it is hoped that she will
return to service in the not-too-distant future after her overhaul.
It's now time for us to jump back in the Tardis and whizz back to the 18th October 2024 for DMLL's Shareholders day.
3850 & 7820 in service on the 18th October 2024 for DMLL Shareholders Day
7820 & 3850 pass Toddington Yard - 18th October 2024 - Video courtesy of Steve Parker
7820 & 3850 down at Cheltenham Racecourse Station - 18th October 2024
The eagle-eyed readers amongst you and those who diligently follow our social media channels will no doubt already be aware of the fantastic news that the standout star of last year’s Cotswold Festival of Steam (CFOS); newly built ‘Grange’ No. 6880 ‘Betton Grange’, will be joining us at the railway as part of a multi-year agreement between the GWSR and the 6880 Betton Grange Society. This is a major coup for both the railway and the department, as it ensures that we have an additional operational locomotive available whilst members of our home fleet are either, away on holiday, or are taken out of service for their major overhauls over the next couple of years. 6880 is scheduled to arrive at with us Toddington in late February, so please make sure that you’ve got your diaries clear folks.
6880 on shed at Toddington during CFOS - 24th May 2024
John Cruxon, Head of the Steam Department, said:
“The arrival of the ‘Grange’ is timely as the boiler certificate of resident ‘Manor’ class no. 7820 Dinmore Manor expires in early January. We are thrilled that Betton Grange will be based at Toddington. ‘Granges’ were of course, regular performers over our railway in GWR and BR days and I know that our volunteers are looking forward to working with a locomotive class that was often dubbed by BR crews as ‘the engineman’s engine’.
“The first task for Betton Grange will be to work race trains for the Cheltenham Festival in March – and, in a way, this turns the clock back more than 60 years as the class were often seen heading BR’s special trains to Cheltenham Races in the 1950s and early 60s.”
Richard Cadge, Chairman of 6880 Betton Grange Society added:
“The Society’s committee unanimously agreed that the GWSR is the ideal base for the locomotive. We are very impressed with the facilities at Toddington, both for locomotives and for volunteers with the outstanding mess facilities in ‘The Goods Shed’. Particular mention should be made of Mike Solloway and the team who really went above and beyond to ensure that the engine was carefully run-in and that remaining essential work that emerged during that process, was completed.”
“The warmth of the welcome was wonderful, especially with our team being invited to join in the Steam Department’s BBQ!”
“The warmth of the welcome was wonderful, especially with our team being invited to join in the Steam Department’s BBQ!”
Having had some involvement with 6880 during the preparation week for CFOS last year, in terms of helping with both cleaning and disposal, I am very pleased that this fine locomotive will be calling the GWSR home for the foreseeable future. Being invited out on the footplate for one of the engine’s test runs was one of the highlights of 2024 for me, along with being given the opportunity to drive 35006.
6880 prepares to depart Toddington on another test run - 20th May 2024
35006 on shed at Toddington shortly before I was given a go on the regulator - 5th July 2024
In recent footplate news, congratulations to Steve Foster who has recently passed out as a driver, and to both Andrew Briscoe and Matthew Plamer who are now newly passed out firemen. These additions to the operational footplate crew should make things a little easier for the roster clerks (well, that’s the theory anyway!). Andrew Bartlett has joined the training team as a firing instructor, with Steve Parker also joining as both a firing and shunting instructor. Andy Beale has also transitioned from a firing instructor to a driving instructor. After many years of hard work training so many members of the department, John Pedley has stepped down from fireman instructing. We are all extremely grateful for his efforts. As someone who attended one of John’s fireman theory classes, he had a great ability to make every aspect of the subject interesting, informative and of course, entertaining.
7903 on shed at Toddington - 20th December 2024 - Photo courtesy of Andy Beale
I mentioned in the last instalment about the lack of free time to get down to Toddington (yes, ‘big railway’ roster clerks, I’m looking at you here). However, following a productive meeting with management in December, things are starting to look a bit more positive on the volunteering availability for 2025, so watch this space. I received a rather pleasant surprise the other week as ‘City Of Truro’ passed through Worcester Shrub Hill, although I’m afraid to say that it was 47749 rather than 3440. I remember fondly when the latter visited the GWSR.
I've no idea where the coal goes in this thing! 47749 ‘City Of Truro’ at WOS - 14th October 2024
With the 2025 season just a couple of months or so away, the annual winter maintenance period is in full swing along with the mandatory boiler examinations, washouts and so forth. It only seems like yesterday, rather than a year ago, that I was shovelling out coal from 35006s tender for much needed work to be carried out on it. Speaking of needing work, my ageing body seemed to take a battering over the Christmas period, no doubt due to the increasing consumption of festive fare (otherwise known as mince pies), thus a visit to Toddington to provide some much-needed volunteer labour will do both me and the railway a world of good… Oops, I’ve just spotted some more pies in the cupboard!
7820 on 'Mince Pie Special' duty - Photo courtesy of Jack Boskett
7820 out and about in early January - Photo courtesy of Jack Boskett
Anyway, until next time folks, I'd better get back to ticket vending as I’ve just received an enquiry for Honeybourne! It's going to be yet another action-packed year for us, especially with ‘Railway 200’. Before you know it, we’ll be steaming back to Cheltenham Racecourse for the races and then swiftly chuffing on to our prestigious and award winning ‘Cotswold Festival Of Steam’ for 2025. Oh, how fun!
A rather clean looking footplate for 3850 - 5th January 2025 - Photo courtesy of Matthew Palmer
For those of you who use Facebook, here are a number of GWSR related groups which are worth following:
I'd like to wish you all the very best for the year ahead. Has anyone made any resolutions?
Alex (the sooty one!).
All published photographs and videos are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.
