Hi all. "Yes"!, post No100 of 2010 is here already! In light of this, I'm glad I've got a 'good post' for you today! In fact, its two posts rolled into one; Part A & Part B, this being the first. So, here we go; Today, with nothing to do but sit at home, I decided to take the car out for a run into the Cotswolds, down to the quaint Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway; around 50 miles to the South. Chugging down the A46 and then onto the A44, the run to Toddington; the base of the GWSR, took around 70 minutes; not too bad. Driving into Toddington, I passed the striking Stanton Viaduct on the left; what a sight. This viaduct is part of the GWSR's extension to Broadway and is even being used occasionally on passenger trains! Unfortunately, just my luck, this wasn't so today! Anyhow, arriving at Toddington, I spotted No7903 "Foremarke Hall", one of Hawksworth's Modified's, standing on the front of the train steam-heating. After parking up, I went onto the platform to inspect. I have visited the GWSR about 4 times now in all, the most recent visit being all the way back in 2004; that was another reason to come here today! The line runs between Toddington and Cheltenham Racecourse via Winchcombe and Gotherington; a distance of about 10 miles. However, recently, a landslip has befallen the line, cutting off 2 miles of track and the terminus station at Cheltenham. Therefore, all trains now run top & tailed as far as Gotherington, where there is no run-round facility. Well, there is, but thats part of the affected section! Anyhow, back to me, I bought my ticket and boarded the train behind No7903. I had hoped that the Turkish 8F, based at Toddington, would be out today and, just then, there was a woosh of steam from the sheds...! 
The above shot is captured in 'Zoom' mode from the train. It shows the 8F being Blown-Down...look at all the steam! Though she wasn't on the services, the 'Turkish 8' was on Dining Train Duty; giving her a reason to be in steam. (At least I get to see her; but more on her later). The train pulled out of Toddington on time at 10:30am, and ran via Winchcombe to Gotherington, with a Class 37 ticking over on the rear. The run is very scenic, taking in views across the Cotswolds and even a lovely tunnel on the Gotherington-side of Winchcombe. At Gotherington, there is a small platform with a waiting room. The old station, on the other side of the train, is now a private residence, seen below...
As it was Rememberance Sunday, we paused at Gotherington for a 2-minute silence. (Even 7903 managed to stay almost silent!). After the Silence we returned to Toddington, hauled by the Class 37. I, having no interest in diesels really, decided to sit this run out in the Buffet Car, enjoying a hot bacon buttie; lovely! Back at Toddington, I left the train and ran round back into the Car Park to inspect the 'Turkish 8F'; she is beautiful...
No8274 was built in 1940 as WD 348. She was built for use on the Western Front but when France fell, the WD found itself with too many 8F's! All of the loco's had been ordered but not shipped out. Therefore, a solution was found. No8274, after working for a few months on British soil for the LMS, was shipped, with 19 sister engines, to Turkey and became State Railway's No45160. There, she worked until the 1980s. She was repatriated in 1989 and, after a stay at Swanage, moved to Toddington. She returned to steam again in May 2010. She really is a beautiful machine. The 8F's were popular out in Turkey I believe, hence their working until the 1980's as opposed to Britain's 1968. One difference I noticed in 8274 was that she is Right-Hand drive; British 8's were Left-Hand Drive. Lovely machine though; glad I've seen her in steam. Soon, 7903 dissapeared on the next service and, once she had cleared Winchcombe, 8274 left as well. The 8F had gone to fetch her Dining Coaches. Below, from the footbridge, we see the view over Platform 1 & 2 at Toddington...
After a look in the Gift Shop and the purchasing of yet another Mug(!), I awaited the next arrival of 7903, hauled again by the Class 37. Steam-Heating was in evidence on this very chilly day. Below, we see a sight that was regular on BR's Winter Days; steaming coaches!...
On the end of the train stood No7903 and, from Platform 2, I finally managed to get a sort of 'clean' picture of her. Why though, was she stood on the end of the train? She could have easily been put on the other end and run chimney first back to Toddy, with the 37 on the other end. Oh well, who knows! Anyway, here she is...
Another nice machine. She was built in 1949 and is a Hawksworth Modified Hall. She has a 6ft wheel diameter, a 225psi boiler, a 27.07ft grate area and a Hawksworth-style flat-sided tender. After withdrawal from service, "Foremarke Hall" went to Barry, leaving there again in 1981. She was finally returned to steam in 2003 and is permanantly resident at GWSR. As with many Western's, 7903 carries Stephenson's valve gear. As you can see, it's basic on the outside...
Under the boiler, inside the frames, we can see the Drivers-Side eccentrics and the Expansion Link on the left...
Over in the Car Park, the 7ft (Broad) gauge NRM Replica of GWR 4-2-2 "Iron Duke" was standing out in the cold. The engine was brought to Toddington in the Spring for the 'GWR 175' Gala and has yet to go back! I think she's going back to Didcot but they're having trouble getting her into the site I believe. Everything into Didcot has to go in by rail as the site is landlocked by Network Rail tracks. Iron Duke cannot of course go in on her own as she's far too wide. Therefore, she's going to be partially dismantled and then taken in on wagons I believe. "Iron Duke" was built in 1985, using the parts from two Hunslet Austerity's. The Iron Duke's of the GWR were built for express passenger work on the Broad Gauge rails but, allas, none survive today...
Over the way, I spotted the site of the 2ft gauge North Gloucestershire Railway. I have ridden on this line before but unfortunately it wasn't running today; mind you, it was freezing! The line runs from the Car Park at Toddington, down through their base at California Crossing and then on to Didbrook Loop before returning to Toddington. Trains are usually steam hauled. Below, the small narrow gauge station at Toddington...
The sign for the NGR... 
After filming the last shot of the above video; the '8' on the Elegant Excursions Diner; I jumped back into the Saxo and headed off back up the A44. I must admit, the Elegant Excurions train looked beautiful; very posh. Maybe one to consider for the future? Looks like a great meal and wonderful surroundings. Now folks, it's 1pm and I'm off back to the 15" gauge Evesham Vale Light Railway; thats Part B! Look out for it soon! Thanks for reading folks, I hope you've enjoyed this one. Good Evening...
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