One of many comments on Tripadvisor

“A five year old's idea of heaven...and dad's too”

Reviewed 30 March 2013 NEW

This has become a regular visit over the last few years and never fails to deliver. The stations are always immaculately clean, the trains run to time, the food and drink is great quality and good value, but the stand out element...the people who volunteer their time to make it all happen. Each and every one is full of enthusiasm which is infectious. Parking is plentiful (and free) at Toddington and Cheltenham. Rover tickets are great value and give the opportunity to make the most of the day.

Visited March 2013

Groups

Claudette advises me that we have now received 32% more group and coach bookings so far this year in comparison with the same period last year. So, regardless of the weather the picture is encouraging so far.
Colin Fewell

We've cracked it again

I have received the following from a family that had a trip with us for their son's birthday on 10th March.

I am e-mailing you to express my deep gratitude to you and all the staff at GWR.  The trip was the most enormous success and parents and children alike agreed it was the best party they has been to.   I have had several enquiries from parents wanting to organise something similar.

The disabled carriage worked brilliantly giving the children a little extra space to let off steam (no pun intended) and all the staff were incredibly helpful and friendly.   I am so pleased that the line has been restored and that the full route runs again.

Thanks once again.   Alice Johnson

Well done everyone.   This can only get better and proves without doubt that we are indeed

                                                "The friendly Line in the Cotswolds"

HH

Group Visits - at least someone loves us

Dear Sir,

It was an excellent day.  Everything timed exactly right and the standard of service was faultless from the original enquiry through to the end of the trip.   The stationmaster at Cheltenham was extremely helpful as were the two gentlemen who told us all about the GWSR on the outward trip and who sold sleeper sponsorships and membership options on the way back (he made some sales).  The whole train was in pristine condition and full working order from front to tear buffers.  Also the Flag and Whistle lunches we had booked were first rate with swift and friendly service - how attractive the building looks in its new paintwork.

I look forward to returning when the weather improves and seeing my 2 sleepers on the route to Broadway and perhaps winning on the monthly draw with your club which I also joined.

Regards to you and your railway.


Many congratulations to all involved, keep up the good work.

Henry Howard

Farewell Clydebridge

After many years of good service on the GWR 37 324 Clydebridge today moved on to pastures new.  The move was carried out by Heanor Haulage using a 12 row (48 wheels) modular trailer to transport the 105 ton loco and an additional trailer as a ramp to winch the loco onto the main trailer.

The loco departed Toddington just after 10:00, the photo shows it fastened down on the trailer outside the Flag and Whistle.  Quite an impressive sight.

37 324 is departing the railway for good, the owner deciding to move it to the East Lancashire Railway where he already stables two other examples of the class.  All being well the locomotive should be operating at their July diesel gala.

Neil Carr.

Quiet but busy

People keep saying "you're quiet on the Blog"

Its because there's nothing that exciting to write about

Last week with Neil C  I attend the joint HRA/ORR seminar at the Baggies ground. The attendance list was like the who's who of heritage railways. The meeting stressed the importance of safety and demonstrated  how critical good governance is in this connection and generally (think I knew that) - several issues for discussion at a Board away day we plan for August

I've had a couple of meetings with the auditors on the 2012/13 Accounts - routine stuff

I,  Henry Howard, Alan Bielby and Chris Bristow had a meeting to see if we could finally pin down a relocation of the Winchcombe Railway Museum to one of our sites. It raised more questions than answers but led to my having to remind myself how a VAT group structure of companies works

A meeting of the Development Foundation Group was postponed because Max Hawkins is quite poorly

After the Board last Friday I have written a Boardroom news piece that should come out as a Volunteer Announcement shortly

Robert Goundry, I and Chris Bristow are meeting tomorrow to get the preparation for the new Shares Offer moving

I have been looking through the design of an electronic purchase order system designed by Danny Scroggins to work through HOPS and replace present paper arrangements. More when we have finished the design

With Neil C and Bob Mac met with Streamline who supply our credit card machines. They had concerns about our use and financial viability which were sorted. We ordered two additional wireless units for use at the up coming events. Should be here in a fortnight

Cleared my drive of snow twice which ain't bad for an old codger but the first batch of snow made me miss the Diesel AGM

As I said, not that interesting but busy

MT

New Shares Offer

At Friday's Board meeting (we worried throughout about snow but managed to get home before it got serious) a new Shares Offer was approved.

When launched this summer (there a fair amount of preparation) it will offer honed travel benefits but more importantly a purchase will qualify for 30% tax relief under the Government Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) -  you invest £1000 and get £300 back from HMRC as a tax refund.

The new issue which will replace the existing one that has run since the Plc was formed, will be titled "Bridges to Broadway" and will be limited to a total shares sale value of £500,000. This is broadly the amount needed to put the bridges between Laverton and Broadway in good order. Any money so raised under EIS must be spent within two years of receipt.

With the embankments hopefully behind us, this represents the first major activity to raise funds to get to Broadway and we hope will be of interest to all.

Watch for the launch announcement!