Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway has now released the full timetable for the Cotswold Festival of Steam, which will take place from Friday the 12th of May to Sunday the 14th of May.

There’s going to be plenty to see and do at the event, as the heritage railway has put together a fantastic array of locomotives for visitors to enjoy, including a daily afternoon non-stop express hauled by the stunning Pendennis Castle!

The Cotswold Festival of Steam takes a nostalgic look back at the golden era of steam in the Cheltenham and Gloucester area inspired by its fast expresses, interregional trains from lines closed in the past, local workings and industrial networks.

Alongside visiting locomotives, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway‘s home fleet will also be out in action for the festival.

Visiting Locomotives:

• 78019 BR Standard Class 2 – During the 1960s, a small number of these locomotives worked in the Gloucester area on light passenger and goods working operations. 78019 is visiting with thanks to Great Central Railway, the Loughborough Standard Locomotive Group and the Charles Newton Trust.
• 31806 SR ‘U’ Class – Known as ‘U-boats’ these Southern Railway moguls were a regular feature on the Cheltenham rail network operating services from Andover to Southampton using the old Midland and South Western Junction Railway route. 31806 is visiting courtesy of Swanage Railway and JMB locomotive services.
• 4079 Pendennis Castle GWR Castle Class – Another regular sight, Pendennis Castle hauled express trains including the ‘The Cornishman’ which ran over the heritage railways line as well as the ‘The Cheltenham Flyer’. 4079 is visiting straight from overhaul and after her preparation from Australia thanks to Didcot GWS.
• 75014 BR Standard Class 4 – Often seen in Cheltenham & Gloucester, these locomotives operated mixed traffic duties in the area from the late 1950s including working local goods from Andover and semi-fast services between Birmingham and Cardiff. 75014 is visiting courtesy of Dartmouth Steam Railway.
• 11243 L&YR Pug – Whilst not seen locally, this type of locomotive is a fantastic example of the kind of locomotives that worked the Gloucester Docks. 11243 is visiting thanks to the East Lancashire Railway and the L&YR Trust.

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway’s home fleet includes:

• GWR Manor Class 7820 Dinmore Manor
• GWR Modified Hall Class 7903 Foremarke Hall
• SR Merchant Navy Class 35006 Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co.

The event has an array of exciting activities available with every station offering something to do, alongside an intensive timetable operating the full line, including goods trains, local stopping services and none-stop expresses.

Broadway:

• See the progress of the heritage railway’s latest station
• Visit the Friends of Broadway fundraising shop
• Broadway Station Tea Room
• The festival offers a rare chance to visit Platform 2 at Broadway, with a special opportunity to visit the brand new build signal box.

‍Toddington:

• Locomotive sheds will be open for visitors
• Trade stands
• Goods train brake van rides
• Footplate rides
• Franchised Flag & Whistle Café
• Traction engines
• Narrow gauge operating steam train rides
• Visit the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railways Office for a chance to learn more about supporting the railway through membership and volunteering.

‍Winchcombe:

• Carriage & Wagon workshops open to visitors
• Viewing area beyond the Carriage & Wagon workshops
• Griddle & Coffeepot Tea Room
• Pug will be providing shunting demos between service trains
• Traction engines
• Discovery coach and model railway coach

Gotherington:

• Private station grounds will be open for the event
• Ride on the pump trolley
• Enjoy the view of passing trains

Cheltenham:

• Steam loco cab visits
• Connecting bus service to Cheltenham Spa
• Original 1912 ticket office open
• Snacks available from Tracks refreshments
• Goods train brake van rides
• Footplate rides