Make a note in your diary now: The GWR175 Festival, 29^th May to 6^th June

GWR175 is set to be a celebration that will be the most magnificent event to mark the remarkable history of the Great Western Railway.

The Honeybourne Line is Great Western through and through and, with its magnificent Cotswold setting and spacious stations it is the perfect venue to celebrate this notable anniversary.

Planning is now well advanced although there is still much to be done to being the most ambitious event the railway has ever organised together.

The event is being organised in conjunction with The Railway Magazine and STEAM, the Museum of the Great Western Railway in Swindon.

The full programme has yet to be completed, but it will include:

• Up to 12 steam locomotives working to an intensive timetable, including
  • First visit to a heritage railway of Didcot's Chruchward 2-6-0 no. 5322
  • Launch into service of newly-restored 2-8-0 no. 2807, the oldest Great Western locomotive in private ownership (Cotswold Steam Preservation) following its 26-year overhaul
  • And more 'firsts' - details to follow
• Themed operating days
• Static locomotives on display, including the replica Broad Gauge Iron Duke, courtesy of the National Railway Museum
• As many Great Western and Western Region locomotive models as possible from 10¼ gauge to 'N' gauge, many working including live steam
• Historic vehicles
• Entertainment
• Display illustrating the history of the Great Western Railway, courtesy STEAM
• Over the first weekend: Display of Great Western nameplates from as many classes as possible; over the second, display of shed plates, cabside numbers and Western Region totems* (organised by Railwayana Auctions)
• Railwayana valuation desk
• Auction of railwayana in aid of the 'Railway Children' charity
• Winchcombe Carriage and Wagon works open
• Visits to the yard at Toddington to view locomotives on display, including diesel hydraulic and diesel electric traction that worked over the Western Region
• Great Western Railway freight train
• Great Western 'auto trailer' with 0-4-2T auto-tank no. 1450
• North Gloucestershire narrow-gauge railway in operation

Tickets can be booked in advance for a reduced rate online, from 1^st February. This special rate applies ONLY to tickets bought in advance online, tickets are valid only for the date printed on them. Tickets bought on the day will be priced differently. So book online now to save money and time on the day! Prices are as follows and include the booking fee:

Online tickets will be available until midnight on Tuesday 25th May. This cutoff is to allow for our volunteers to physically post out all the tickets.
A "child" is aged 5-15 and a family ticket is made up of 2 adults and 3 children.