Q: What do steam locomotives consume in vast quantities?
A: Water, of course!

In fact, on a typical day one of the GWR's steam locomotives will turn around 5,000 gallons 22,700 litres) of water into steam - that's assuming three return trips from Toddington to Cheltenham.  That works out to around 80 gallons (360 litres) per mile but of course, some will be used during the preparation and disposal of the locomotive at each end of the day.

The GWR has water supplies for locomotives at each of the main stations and you can sometimes see locomotives taking on water during the day.  There is a small water tower at Toddington station but this is becoming inadequate, especially on special event days when several engines might be in steam.

To remedy this, the GWR has been looking for some time for a tank similar to one that once graced Toddington station.  This had a capacity of 12,000 gallons (54,500 litres) and it supplied locomotive water columns at the 'locomotive' end of each platform and in the yard, as well as for toilets, hoses and so-on. An identical tank, complete with its steel supports, was found at the Cholsey & Wallingford Railway who agreed to sell it to the GWR.  It is now at Toddington being restored ready for installation.

When the railway was built at the beginning of the 20th century, water for Toddington station was supplied from a GWR-built reservoir in the hills above Stanway. This also provided mains water for the village of Toddington for the first time. The reservoir still remains but its water is now used by Severn Trent Plc, who will supply water to the 'new' tank.

The foundations of the original tank and associated pipe work all remain and are being upgraded to take the replacement. Ex-Great Western Railway water columns acquired by the GWR some time ago will be installed where the originals once stood.  This will then bring Toddington station back almost exactly as it was in steam days.

The pictures of Toddington station showing the original water tower were kindly provided by Bernie Holland , who has assembled a vast range of historic pictures of the former 'Honeybourne Line' on his Honeybourne Line Photopic site.  The colour photographs by Ian Crowder show restoration in progress. The tank will eventually be finished in GWR light chocolate and cream.