During the 1930s, Great Western Railway encouraged racegoers to travel ‘By Rail to the Races’ for the Cheltenham Festival. Once again, that nostalgic option is available for festival attendees thanks to Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, which will see its fleet joined by steam locomotive 75014 Braveheart in March, and Cheltenham Festival hospitality specialists Classic Hospitality.

The festival is taking part from Tuesday the 14th to Friday the 17th of March and will see services operate from Toddington and on Friday the 17th from Broadway throughout the entire event. The trains will travel through stunning Cotswolds scenery directly to the racecourse at Cheltenham’s Prestbury Park. From the station, the main grandstand is a short walk of fewer than five minutes.

Hugh Doubtfire, managing director of Classic Hospitality says: “We have a fantastic and long-standing relationship with the GWSR which we have built over 15 years.  We have grown the popularity of the steam trains for both the Cheltenham Festival as well as the November meeting with our large client base of corporate customers. We offer the full Cheltenham solution for customers incorporating the trains with VIP hospitality at the course, overnight Cotswold accommodation, transfer links from local National Rail stations, entrance tickets and viewing seats.

“It’s hard to beat the comfort and style of the steam train journey, arriving directly at the back of the main grandstand at Cheltenham Racecourse, just a furlong from the paddock. A truly unique and nostalgic way to start and end a fantastic afternoon of racing.”

Hugh continues: “Best of all, the trip back to Toddington or Broadway avoids the notorious traffic congestion in and around the racecourse. Car drivers can queue for up to an hour – but the train really does take the strain, whisking you back to Toddington to continue your journey home or to connect with one of our many transfers waiting to take you back to your hotel or travel connection.

“I’m so impressed by the way these classic trains are turned out – spotlessly clean with great nostalgia and a real thoroughbred steam locomotive at the front.  And it’s all done by volunteers!  I’m proud that we are helping the GWSR to achieve its own goals by running these special trains.  At the Festival it’s always notoriously difficult to pick the winners of the competitive races but with the steam trains, we really have backed a winner.”

Richard Johnson, Chairman of GWSR Plc, said: “The Classic Hospitality service is a vital start to our operating season which begins in March.  I am eternally grateful to our willing army of volunteers who put the service on and look after our visitors.

“It’s a great atmosphere – and whether winners or losers on the day, we do our best to make sure that our travellers enjoy every moment of their train experience.”

The Cheltenham Racecourse station was first opened in March 1912 by the Great Western Railway with the sole purpose of bringing both horses and racegoers to the venue and was only opened on race days.

Over the decades, many renowned visitors have used the train services including many members of the Royal Family, HM Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother who attended many times.

The 14th of March 1963 saw the last steam-hauled race train from London Paddington to Cheltenham Racecourse however diesel hauled services operated from London, the Midlands and further afield until 1976 sadly after which, the former Stratford-upon-Avon to Cheltenham line was closed and the track lifted.

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway volunteers have been rebuilding the railway over a number of years and saw the railway re-open the Cheltenham Racecourse station in March 2003 which now marks the heritage line’s southern terminus and is open for operation throughout the year instead of just race days making for a fantastic day out!

The special trains and hospitality packages are organised in collaboration with At The Races and are only available via Classic Hospitality. To find out more or to book please visit the Classic Hospitality website or by calling 01825 746082.