22-03-2025
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.
