Latest news with #CotswoldFestivalofSteam
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Yahoo
129-year-old steam locomotive to star at Cotswold Festival of Steam
A ONE hundred and 29-year-old steam locomotive will be the star attraction at the Cotswold Festival of Steam. The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) has announced that the South Eastern Railway's O1 class 0-6-0 steam locomotive, number 65, will be making a rare appearance at the Cotswold Festival of Steam, which runs from May 24 to May 26. The locomotive, built in 1896, is on loan from the Bluebell Railway in Sussex. It is believed to be the first time that the locomotive has worked on railways outside the South East. Number 65 was one of 122 'O' locomotives designed by James Stirling, built between 1878 and 1899. Of these, 58 were rebuilt by his successor Harry Wainwright, including number 65, to become the O1 class. They were designed primarily to handle goods traffic and many were very long-lived, in their later years eventually finding work handling both passenger and goods trains on the numerous branch lines of Kent. Most had been withdrawn by the outbreak of the Second World War but a few soldiered on into British Railways ownership and two, including number 65 (number 31065 in British Railways days), lasted until 1961. It was bought by a private individual from British Railways and was dismantled, eventually arriving in parts at the Bluebell Railway and returned to steam in 1999. Tom Willson, chairman of the Cotswold Festival of Steam organising team, said: "Number 65 truly is an elegant addition to the festival and will be the headline act for what is shaping up to be a spectacular show. "It is a remarkable survivor from the days when practical machines were built to look beautiful. "It really does reflect our theme - celebrating railway 200 - marking the bi-centenary of the birth of the modern railway network, highlighting the development of steam locomotives from the Victorian era to British Railways days." The festival will also feature a display of 100 O gauge models at Winchcombe, illustrating the development of railway locomotives over 200 years. There will also be several full-size and miniature traction engines in steam at Toddington. For more information and to book tickets, visit the GWSR website.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Children can travel free on steam trains at Cotswold event
The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) is offering free entry for children at its Cotswold Festival of Steam. The event, which runs from Saturday, May 24 to Monday, May 26, will see up to 10 steam locomotives in operation. On bank holiday Monday, May 26, children aged between five and 15 can travel free, with up to three children allowed per two adult tickets. Under-fives travel free anyway. The festival is part of the Railway 200 celebrations, marking the bicentenary of modern railways. Tom Willson, chairman of the organising committee, said: "This is a very special year, not just for our railway, but for heritage railways throughout the UK, as well as the national network. "We are expecting up to 10 locomotives to perform during our Cotswold Festival of Steam. "And as a special Railway 200 offer we are inviting youngsters between the age of five and 15 to travel free - under-fives travel free anyway – with up to three with two adult tickets bought for the event, on bank holiday Monday." The festival will see up to ten steam locomotives operating over the 14-mile Cotswold line, between Cheltenham Racecourse and Broadway. It will feature locomotives from the GWSR's home fleet, as well as visiting locomotives from other heritage railways. Mr Willson added: "Railways such as ours depend on volunteers – undertaking everything from drivers and firemen, signallers, station and catering staff, as well as those who maintain the infrastructure, buildings, coaches and locomotives. "With the doors of our locomotive depot at Toddington and carriage and wagon works at Winchcombe thrown open, it is a great chance for inquisitive youngsters to find out more." The event will also feature double-headed trains, non-stop 'expresses' and goods trains. Visitors will have the opportunity to visit locomotive footplates and ride on the brake van of goods trains for a small additional fee. Tickets are now available at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) website.
