An impressive view of Brush Type 2 no. D5580 about to depart from Winchcombe station with a Toddington-bound train (Photograph Richard Drewitt)  

Here's your last chance to ride behind a popular visitor to the GWR over the past year, Brush Type 2 no. D5580 (later known as class 31/1 no. 31162).

The locomotive has been on loan to the GWR for over a year.  A special day has been organised for its owners, AIA Locomotives Limited, on Monday 27^th July when its train will work four return services from Toddington to Cheltenham Racecourse, to the normal Blue timetable times.

Says Richard Drewitt, traction and rolling stock director of the GWR:  "It has been a pleasure hosting this locomotive on the GWR and it has been very much enjoyed when working both service trains and at diesel galas.

"We're delighted to welcome members of the owning group for this special day and anyone turning up on the day will be welcome to travel."

The service will include on-train catering and will stop on request at Gotherington Halt, as well as Winchcombe.

Departures from Toddington are at 10.30, 12.15, 14.30 and 16.15.
Departures from Cheltenham Racecourse are at 11.20, 13.05, 15.20 and 17.00.

D5580 will return to its home at the Midland Railway Centre, Butterley, shortly afterwards.

Historical note

The Brush Type 2s - or Class 31s - were a product of the British Railways Modernisation Plan and were designed in the 1950s, the first order for 20 locomotives being placed with Brush Traction at Loughborough.  The first was handed over in 1957 - at a time when steam locomotives were still being produced.  The locomotives were successful and production continued until October 1962 by which time 263 had been built.  The class was initially equipped with Mirrilees V12 engines delivering up to 1,365hp through electric transmission to a pair of A1A bogies - this indicating that the leading and trailing axles are active, the centre one idle. Later in their life many of the class received English Electric power units that increased the locomotive's power to 1,470hp.  No. 5582 is an example of one of these rebuilds. The Class 31s put in many years reliable service throughout the national network, most having been withdrawn from service by the early 2000s.