Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, England, July 2022

The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway is a heritage railway line which runs through parts of Gloucestershire and Worcestershire on the edge of the Cotswolds, England. About 14 miles (23 km) of track have currently been restored between Cheltenham Race Course and Broadway.

The line was originally built between 1900 and 1906. It was then operated by Great Western Railway and ran from Cheltenham to Stratford-upon-Avon and then on to Birmingham. The line closed to passengers in 1960 and to freight in 1976 and the track was lifted from 1979. A preservation group took over part of the line and started to re-lay the track beginning in 1984. The restored line has been extended in stages since then: an extension to Cheltenham Race Course was opened by Princess Anne in 2003 and another extension to Broadway opened in 2018. There are future plans to extend the line to Honeybourne at the north-east end and to Cheltenham at the south-west end.

Saturday, 23rd July 2022

On the platform at Cheltenham Race Course station. In front on the far track is a dark green steam locomotive. This is 7903 Foremarke Hall built in 1949 at Swindon Works and withdrawn in 1964 and sold for scrap. It was saved for preservation in 1981 and restoration was completed in 2003.
On the platform at Cheltenham Race Course station. In front on the far track is a dark green steam locomotive. This is 7903 Foremarke Hall built in 1949 at Swindon Works and withdrawn in 1964 and sold for scrap. It was saved for preservation in 1981 and restoration was completed in 2003.
Tony stood by Foremarke Hall 7903 steam locomotive at Cheltenham Race Course station.
Tony stood by Foremarke Hall 7903 steam locomotive at Cheltenham Race Course station.
Tony stood by the platform sign at Toddington station. Toddington is a village in Gloucestershire. The railway station reopened here in 1984. It had previously closed to passengers in 1960 but the line remained open for freight until 1976.
Tony stood by the platform sign at Toddington station. Toddington is a village in Gloucestershire. The railway station reopened here in 1984. It had previously closed to passengers in 1960 but the line remained open for freight until 1976.
Tony stood on an old parcel weighing machine on the platform at Toddington station.
Tony stood on an old parcel weighing machine on the platform at Toddington station.
Tony stood outside the former Honeybourne North Loop Signal Box. This today stands at the side of the car park at Toddington station but was originally located further down the line.
Tony stood outside the former Honeybourne North Loop Signal Box. This today stands at the side of the car park at Toddington station but was originally located further down the line.
Tony pulling a lever inside the restored signal box at Toddington station.
Tony pulling a lever inside the restored signal box at Toddington station.
Tony stood on the platform at Toddington station. Foremarke Hall 7903 steam locomotive can be seen in the background with carriages attached.
Tony stood on the platform at Toddington station. Foremarke Hall 7903 steam locomotive can be seen in the background with carriages attached.
A close-up view of the Booking Office window at Toddington station.
A close-up view of the Booking Office window at Toddington station.
Tony stood on the platform at Toddington station with 46521 LMS Ivatt Class 2 Mogul steam locomotive in the background. This locomotive was built at Swindon Works in 1953 and was intended for use on secondary and branch lines. It was retired from service in 1966, but was saved for preservation in 1969.
Tony stood on the platform at Toddington station with 46521 LMS Ivatt Class 2 Mogul steam locomotive in the background. This locomotive was built at Swindon Works in 1953 and was intended for use on secondary and branch lines. It was retired from service in 1966, but was saved for preservation in 1969.
The 46521 Mogul steam engine and tender leaving the platform at Toddington on its journey to Winchcombe. Tony turning his head to listen to the steam.
The 46521 Mogul steam engine and tender leaving the platform at Toddington on its journey to Winchcombe. Tony turning his head to listen to the steam.
Tony on the platform at Winchcombe next to the station sign. Winchcombe is a small market town in Gloucestershire. The station is located north of the town at the village of Greet. The station closed for passengers in 1960 and reopened to serve the heritage line in 1987.
Tony on the platform at Winchcombe next to the station sign. Winchcombe is a small market town in Gloucestershire. The station is located north of the town at the village of Greet. The station closed for passengers in 1960 and reopened to serve the heritage line in 1987.
Another photo of Tony in front of the Winchcombe station sign.
Another photo of Tony in front of the Winchcombe station sign.
Tony in Winchcombe Museum. He is next to a display case containing a variety on mostly paper items, including old photographs of people.
Tony in Winchcombe Museum. He is next to a display case containing a variety on mostly paper items, including old photographs of people.
Another photo of Tony inside Winchcombe Museum. This small museum covers the history of the local area. There are display cases in the background but it is difficult to discern individual items from the photo.
Another photo of Tony inside Winchcombe Museum. This small museum covers the history of the local area. There are display cases in the background but it is difficult to discern individual items from the photo.