The Honeybourne Line's ticket sales remain well ahead of last year, with 35,880 tickets issued by the end of July - that's 9 per cent ahead of the same period last year. A quarter of ticket sales are from Cheltenham Racecourse station. 

"Despite some miserable days we have enjoyed seeing some full trains and midweek services have been doing particularly well," says Colin Dymock, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway's head station master.  

"It seems that many people are staying in the UK this year and preferring to take days out - and our railway offers one of the best days out in the Cotswolds." 

There are some great days coming up, too. 

• This Saturday, 8th August, artist and wildlife conservationist David Shepherd will be on board his locomotive Black Prince while at just after 3pm, a Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) will pass over Toddington at low altitude. And if you're 50 this year, you get to travel free, provided you are accompanies by a fare-paying passenger.  Click on the link below for more detials.
• Thursday 20th August again sees David Shepherd on the railway, for the launch of an 'N'-gauge limited edition working model of Black Prince, which will be available from the GWR station shop.  Proceeds go to the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.  And to mark the 50th birthday of the locomotive, a Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane from the BBMF will fly overhead
• Over the August Bank Holiday weekend (29-31 August)special combined family tickets are on offer with massive discounts for both the Honeybourne Line and Sudeley Castle. Click on the link below for more details.