3850 approaches Toddington station - 14th February 2026 - Photo courtesy of Andy Smith
Although we may only be a few weeks away from the start of spring, it's pleasing to see that there has been a recent change in the weather. As I write this, the sun is shining, and the temperature is rising. Sods law, out of the very few days that we've been blessed with the big bright torch in the sky, I've been marooned in my ticket office at Worcester Shrub Hill. But, as the saying goes, 'that's the way the cookie crumbles!' On a more positive note, I've only got four more early shifts to go before a week's holiday, and the all-important 'Cheltenham Festival'. I'm hoping to make it down to Toddington later this week and, possibly, a couple of days next week. It's going to be a very busy period for the department and the wider railway. Race week is typically one of the most significant times of the year for the GWSR,
As regular readers of this blog and followers of the GWSR will know, our 2026 operating season began on the 14th February, in time for the start of the half-term holidays. It has been several years since we commenced running in February; however, all indications show that this was a good decision, judging by the number of visitors during the first week. 3850 took the helm with our steam services during the month, operating the orange timetable between Winchcombe and Broadway. The line between Winchcombe and Cheltenham Racecourse was closed due to important engineering work, this included replacing a turnout at the southern end of Cheltenham.
As regular readers of this blog and followers of the GWSR will know, our 2026 operating season began on the 14th February, in time for the start of the half-term holidays. It has been several years since we commenced running in February; however, all indications show that this was a good decision, judging by the number of visitors during the first week. 3850 took the helm with our steam services during the month, operating the orange timetable between Winchcombe and Broadway. The line between Winchcombe and Cheltenham Racecourse was closed due to important engineering work, this included replacing a turnout at the southern end of Cheltenham.
3850 at Winchcombe station - 14th February 2026 - Photo courtesy of Andy Smith
3850 has performed very well since the resumption of steam services a couple of weeks ago. This is testament to the hard work and efforts of DMLL and the wider steam department, with carrying out maintenance, during the shortened winter shut down period. Work is currently underway on some repairs to the firebox grate, which includes the fabrication of new firebars. The '2884' class loco is due back out again next weekend, just before we go 'racing', all being well.
2807 recently underwent its annual exam and had some mechanical work carried out, the '28' is now fit for service. 6880 has received a boiler washout and a number of defects have been addressed following a subsequent steam test. Locomotive reliability is of paramount importance to us this year, particularly with several engines under overhaul. It only seems like yesterday that we finished the 2025 season. To coin another phrase, 'Time and tide wait for no man'.
3850 near Salisbury with the 0235 freight ex Radyr - 25 Nov 1961 - Photo © Charlie Verrall
We currently have limited spaces available for our 2026 'Driver Experience' days, further details can be found here.
3850 out running in glorious sunshine - 14th February 2026 - Video courtesy of Mike Solloway
3850 on shed at Toddington - 15th February 2026 - Photo courtesy of Dan Wigg
3850 returns back to Toddington after another busy day - 19th February 2026 - Photo courtesy of Mark Sanders
The joys of British weather! - 20th February 2026 - Photo courtesy of Jonathan Windscheffel
3850 being prepared on shed at Toddington - 21st February 2026 - Photo courtesy of James Clarke
3850 stands at Broadway station - 21st February 2026 - Photo courtesy of James Clarke
During February, it also was interesting to see W55003 out on the line
undergoing test runs and driver training in between the steam hauled
services. This restoration project has taken many years and is a real credit to all the volunteers who have been involved to date.
W55003 running at Toddington - Photo courtesy of Dave Stanton
W55003 running at Toddington - 21st February 2026 - Photo courtesy of Andy Smith
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Time for the latest update (at the time of writing) on developments with 76077.
Saturday 28th February 2026
Only 6 of us turned up at Toddington for tea and cake, sorry, working party… Lots of small but important bits moved forwards again. Details in the photo captions.
Only 6 of us turned up at Toddington for tea and cake, sorry, working party… Lots of small but important bits moved forwards again. Details in the photo captions.
Final bits for brake gear ready for machining - 28th February 2026 - Photo courtesy of TSLL
More brake components needing the sides and edges cleaning up - 28th February 2026 - Photo courtesy of TSLL
Rob had an epic day tack welding firstly the 4 sand box chutes - 28th February 2026 - Photo courtesy of TSLL
28th February 2026 - Photo courtesy of TSLL
Then the 4 sand box lids - 28th February 2026 - Photo courtesy of TSLL
All the new parts cut and drilled for the brake ejector steam valve bracket - 28th February 2026 - Photo courtesy of TSLL
Which was then tacked up - 28th February 2026 - Photo courtesy of TSLL
New bracket in production for the ssj vacuum ejector - 28th February 2026 - Photo courtesy of TSLL
6 new studs for the injector steam valve bracket - 28th February 2026 - Photo courtesy of TSLL
And they fit! Turns out the mounting bosses on the valve need 1/8 “ taking off either side. Not a big job but annoying none the less - 28th February 2026 - Photo courtesy of TSLL
New regulator handle had a second coat of primer to get the bits missed last time - 28th February 2026 - Photo courtesy of TSLL
Rob, having run out of things to do, finally had a go at the new tender steps which have been hanging around in kit form for many months now - 28th February 2026 - Photo courtesy of TSLL
Finally a quick shot from last week up at Loughborough where work is being done on the tender axle boxes, should see the boxes reassembled on the wheelsets with the next couple of weeks - 28th February 2026 - Photo courtesy of TSLL
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In other news, work continues on the overhaul 35006... including the tender. ;)
Warning: Southern Region (SR) fans may find the following photographs distressing.
What's happened here then? - 17th February 2026 - Photo courtesy of Steve Parker
In a bid to improve the loco's appearance and reduce the loading gauge for future visits, '35006 Group' have borrowed a GWR tender.... 22nd February 2026 - Photo courtesy of Kenneth Simms.
The above would make for an interesting caption competition. Leave your suggestions in the comments below!
On a more serious note, I was browsing the internet for some historic photographs of 35006, and came across quite a few interesting ones. A selection of them can be seen below.
SR 35006 PENINSULAR & ORIENTAL S.N.Co - Salisbury June 1949 - Photo © Charlie Verrall
Merchant Navy 35006 “Peninsular & Oriental S.N. Co.” heads a down passenger through Basingstoke - May 3, 1961 - Photo © Roger Smith
Southern Region Bulleid class MN pacific No. 35006 Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co. of Salisbury (72B) shed, the hard work done, brings an up West of England express, under easy steam, through Wimbledon on its way to Waterloo - July 19, 1961 - Photo © Barry Lewis
35006 rebuilt "Merchant Navy" 4-6-2 "Peninsular & Oriental SN Co." is seen languishing at Woodham's scrapyard, Barry- 1975 - Photo © Chris (The Mighty Hood)
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Work on 7820's overhaul continues apace, and by the end of January, NDT work on the boiler had been completed.
7820 on the lifting jacks - 26th January 2026 - Photo courtesy of Ian Crowder
Keen to be back out on the line! 7820 stabled by the water tower during a shunt - 12th February 2026 - Photo courtesy of Mark Sanders
7820 looking very smart - 19th February 2026 - Photo courtesy of Mark Sanders
7820 looking very smart - 19th February 2026 - Photo courtesy of Mark Sanders
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Our friends over at C&W have been beavering away repainting our MK1s into crimson and cream. They look very smart indeed. You can read more about C&W activities in their blog here.
Another piece in the crimson and cream puzzle, rake 2 is now 6 all in this livery in time for the beginning of the season, with just one maroon coach left, to be replaced later this year hopefully - 28th February 2026 - Photo courtesy of Alex Caulfield
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NEW DVD RELEASE – Exclusive to the GWSR
Filmed during the 2025 season by Matt Fielding of Steam Valley Productions. Available here.
Relive the magic of steam in the Cotswolds with Steam on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire DVD — a must-have for every enthusiast. Filmed during the 2025 season, this action-packed programme captures stunning lineside footage of the railway’s full home fleet alongside visiting locomotives. Witness the final year in traffic of 7903 Formarke Hall and 35006 P&O, and enjoy the welcome return of 4079 Pendennis Castle. With 1 hour and 15 minutes of atmospheric steam in beautiful Cotswold scenery, this DVD delivers powerful sound, spectacular sights, and unforgettable moments from a landmark season.
For those of you who use Facebook, here are a number of GWSR related groups which are worth following:
DMLL - Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd
2874 - The 2874 Trust
35006 - 35006 Group
76077 - Standard Locomotive 76077
THL - The Honeybourne Line - a GWR mainline in the makingA very important weekend in May for your diaries, with further news and announcements due soon. *
The GWSR recently launched a new website and the various department blogs can all be found here.
Anyway, that's all I have for now folks. I'm still waiting for my Ark to turn up from Amazon, although fingers crossed, I might not need it! See you at the races...
Alex (the sooty one!).
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.
