Hello & Welcome to Harnetty Railways
In this video we make our long awaited return to The Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway after an 8 year absents during their purple timetable operations.
This was our 1st visit back to the railway since June 2016 as the last time we were at the railway was when resident rebuilt Merchant Navy Bulleid Pacifc 35006 Peninsular & Oriental Company was operating not long following completion of his restoration from Barry Scrapyard condition
There was 1 locomotive we had on priority for sometime which was The Foremarke Hall Group's ex British Railways built modified hall 7903 Foremarke Hall & the youngest hall to survive in preservation.
This was significant for this visit as upon the day of our visit 7903 Foremarke Hall has 2 years left to go on her 10 year boiler ticket before expires in 2026.
So this visit was made at the right time to see her in action for the 1st time since she returned to steam during the spring of 2016.
We start at Cheltenham Racecourse the western terminus of the line as we see her arrive with the 1st train of the day from Toddington.
Here we would have a round trip behind her including for us travel along the Broadway branch for the 1st time since the extension was opened in 2018.
While on route to Broadway we pass the railway's main headquarters at Toddington which we managed to get a glimpse of the merchant navy at the sheds fresh from his holiday at The Swanage Railway as we went by.
We start our main on board filming at Broadway as we head off back to Cheltenham on the 12:15pm departure from Broadway.
Upon arrive at Toddington we had a 45 minute layover which we gave us the opportunity to have a look at Foremarke Hall at close quarters including exclusive footplate access with big thanks to her driver while as we awaited departure time.
Soon it was time to go as we departed on wards to Cheltenham.
At Wincombe came 1 of the highlights as we departed heading into Greet Tunnel with the firebox door open & the loco working well.
Sure enough we arrive back at Cheltenham Racecourse after a great round trip which is were we end this video.
We would like to conclude by saying a huge thanks to all the volunteers at The Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway & The Foremarke Hall Group for their hospitality & making our visit a memorable 1.
Thanks for reading enjoy the film.
#7903foremarkehall #gloucestershireandwarwickshirerailway
7 сен 2024
