31 May. No sooner had 34007 shunted into position than Prairie 5542 moved up to the station to clear a full rake of rolling stock, to make way for herself and the auto trailer. next
31 May. Away from the loco activity in the yard was 30850 "Lord Nelson", which had very sadly failed the previous Saturday with a leak from the firebox foundation ring. next
31 May. Plenty of steam around 7903 shunting forward from the loco shed, but no water leaks from the firebox. next
31 May. But plenty of water being used on 34007 to get that final pristine finish! next
31 May. While 7903 waits to couple up to the Light Pacific prior to working Light Engine to Winchcombe. next
31 May. 5542 moving up to the station with the stock for the 09.00 autotrailer departure was a good signal for linesiders to buy their tickets and head off to chosen locations at a brisk pace. next
31 May. My "place" was Chicken Curve on the exit from Winchcombe, (towards Toddington), where the Hall and the West Country looked lovely running light engine down from Toddington. next
31 May. Then came what for me was the "star of the show", 34007 "Wadebridge" climbing away from Winchcombe on the 09.50 freight in superb weather conditions. next
31 May. This location is known as Chicken Curve, due to the proximity of some old chicken huts. It is also possibly the best photographic location on the line. next
31 May. The view not only allows approaching shots of trains heading around the curve after leaving Winchcombe for Toddington, but also an almost side on shot as the train passes. next
31 May. Prairie 5542 was very busy between Winchcombe and Toddington after an initial run through to Cheltenham, from which she is returning here at Chicken Curve on the 10.11 from Winchcombe. next
31 May. Just 45 minutes later and the 2-6-2t is leaving Winchcombe with the next autotrailer train to Toddington next
31 May. next
31 May. Two hours after 34007's efforts, it was the Hall's turn to take the freight from Winchcombe to Toddington. But by now the sun was taking a rest. next
31 May. Despite the lack of sun the 4-6-0 still made a lovely sight on the curve. next
31 May. There was much less Festival activity on the long section between Winchcombe and Cheltenham. But still some good action as 34007 leaves Gotherington and heads into Dixton Cutting with the 14.05 from Cheltenham. next
31 May. The Midland 4F 0-6-6 drifts down through Dixton Cutting not long after crossing 34007 at Winchcombe. next
31 May. The sun made a short afternoon re-appearance, in time to see Hall 4-6-0 7903 head the 15.10 from Cheltenham away from Gotherington and into Dixton Cutting.
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31 May. Just over an hour later and Midland 4F 0-6-0, 44422, heads the 16.15 from Cheltenham around the curve just the Winchcombe side of Gotherington. next
31 May. And then came the Saturday finale! After meticulously slowing for the 10 mph limit through Gotherington 34007 and 92203 positively roar away into Dixton Cutting, with the Light Pacific doing virtually all the work. next
31 May. The sun may have gone for the day, but that was more than made up for by the explosive performance from 34007, "Wadebridge" at the head of the "Pines Express". next
31 May. My last view of a quite outstanding Cotswold Festival of Steam was of the two locos storming up the grade towards Greet tunnel. Thank you GWR for such a superbly run event. I will be back! top 2008 Photos continued Index
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31 May. "Beware of the Trains" said the sign, which was most appropriate as the locos were shunting around in their final stages of preparation for a good days work. next