9F 2-10-0 no. 92203 approaches Greet tunnel on 30th December. Picture taken from 0-6-2T no. 5619 which was attached to the rear. Note that steam still drifts out of the tunnel mouth half an hour after the down train passed through! (Ian Crowder)


Small Prairie no. 5542 at Winchcombe on 29th December as viewed from the footplate of 9F Black Prince which had just arrived on the rear of an up train. (Ian Crowder)


5542 makes a spectacular steamy start from Toddington station on 30th December. Picture was taken from the footplate of 5619. (Ian Crowder)

Five steam locomotives - ice cold weather producing wonderfully atmospheric steam effects - engines working trains weighing the equivalent of up to 10 coaches - demand for hot soup outstripping supply in the Flag & Whistle - the novel experience of 'top and tail' running between Winchcombe and Gotherington: all combined to make the two-day post Christmas Cracker on 29th and 30th December one of the GWR's best.

Trains were packed and bright 'hi-viz' jacketed photographers line the route to capture the spectacular sight and sound of locomotives working much harder than is usual of the fairly lightly -graded line.  Highlights were the start out of Winchcombe station towards Gotherington, with the dead weight of a locomotive added to the rear of the train.  'City of Truro' struggling to lift its heavy train towards the tunnel provided a magnificent symphony of sound and a volcano from the chimney, testing the skill of drivers.  In fact, all of the locomotives: City of Truro, Foremarke Hall, Black Prince, 5542 and 5619 put on wonderful performances on both days.

"This was a fantastic way to round of Christmas!"  "The sound of Black Prince pulling away from Gotherington is one I'll not forget for a long time!"  "It was freezing by the lineside but the still cold air causing the steam to linger gave me some of my best railway photographs!"  "Today (the 30th) was a bit dull but the mist cleared to give us some lovely light from the setting sun and that was really worth waiting for."  "We were only going to have one trip but the kids enjoyed it so much we stayed all day - and they managed to visit the footplate of all five engines!"  These were just a few of the impromptu remarks volunteer railway staff heard over the Gala.

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