If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them

As you're probably aware, the GWSR hosted a mixed traction "Christmas Cracker" gala over the 29th and 30th of December.  The 29th had the better weather forecast, so that is the day that I went along to grab a few photos and give you an idea of what went on.

After a perusal of the working timetable, I decided that the obvious starting point of the day should be Gotherington where both Dinmore Manor and 2807 were to cross, both facing the right way round.  As it turned out, James was on duty in Gotherington signal box and he kindly invited me in to keep warm.   I took the first few shots of the approaching Dinmore Manor from there.   

7820, Dinmore Manor approaches Gotherington from Cheltenham Race Course

Coming to a stand by the signal box

I even persuaded James to pose for a shot

Dinmore Manor waiting for 2807 to cross it

 I had originally intended to take this next shot of the token exchange from the field to the right however a number of ash trees have managed to plant themselves along the line side spoiling the shot, so I went for this angle instead.

James exchanges tokens with Chris on 2807

 I should point out that the temperature was hovering about freezing at this point and that James very kindly volunteered (he didn't even need to be asked) to not wear his hi-viz jacket, instead performing the token exchange in just a short sleeve shirt.  Many thanks James.

Dinmore Manor gets underway again...

.... and pulls out of Gotherington station

A little while later, she crosses Stanway Viaduct

Cinderella like, the kit of parts that is ex BR standard 76077 waits forlornly in the north siding, hoping that one day her prince will come and that she too will be able to go to the ball Christmas Cracker.

76077 awaiting her fairy godmother.

 Soon afterwards, 2807 disappeared off up to Laverton being towed by 47376, only to return at the head of the train.  There is a 10 MPH speed restriction imposed almost straight away on the Toddington side of the viaduct, so normally the driver would shut off about half way across which rather spoils the effect.  On this occasion, my luck was in as the home signal was on until 2807 was half way across (and running extremely slowly) at which point the signal dropped causing Steve who was driving 2807 to open the regulator to get her up to 10 MPH.

2807 with steam on as she crosses Stanway viaduct, 47376 on the rear

 Next stop, was three arch bridge for a view of Dinmore Manor working north

Dinmore Manor approaching three arch bridge and Dixton cutting

After that, it was hot foot over to Chicken Curve to catch Dinmore Manor again.

Dinmore Manor on Chicken Curve

And again on Chicken Curve

 It was of course a mixed traction even, with three diesels and the DMU running each day as well as 7820 and 2807. 

Peak, 45149 heads south from Toddington

The 117 class DMU at Didbrook

 I fouled up a bit at this point, thinking that the sunset was going to be rather later than it was.  The plan had been to catch both 2807 and 7820 at Didbrook, with the latter silhouetted against a setting sun.  Far better photos as it turned out had been available down at the Cheltenham end of the line at this point in time.

2807 at Didbrook

 Well the shot of 2807 was nice, but it was clear to me that there would be no light left for a shot of 7820 as she came back.  My best bet was to try to get down to the straight between Bishop's Cleeve and Gotherington for a backlit shot there.

Dinmore Manor approaches Gotherington

 As can be seen, the signal was against for a while causing George who was driving to shut off, only for the signal to drop and cause George to open up the regulator again soon after they passed me.  I have no idea why, but 7820 has acquired a "Cathedrals Express" headboard for this run.  To the best of my knowledge there are no cathedrals along the route of our line, so it is a little incongruous, but it still looks good anyway.

With the light gone, all that remained was to get back to Toddington for a few shots of the disposal of the locos.

Ian calls 2807 back far enough to be able to coal her up whilst 7820 disposes on the pit

Coaling up 2807

 To start off with, the hose pipe in the pit was frozen, so George went under to pull out the ash from the ash pan of 7820 without being able to damp it down first.  It's not ideal of course, but it does look rather more spectacular.

Ashing out 7820

 Then it's 2807's turn on the pit.

2807 on the ash pit.

 During the course of the day, I had noticed that not only was Ed on board 2807, but also his better half, Laura.  It turns out that Laura has taken the view that "If you can't beat them, join them" and has signed up as the newest volunteer in the steam loco dept.  This was her first day and she soon disappeared off under 2807 with Ed to learn how to empty the ash pan.  More than one person was heard to mutter that they'd never be able to persuade their wives/girlfriends to empty out an ash pan.

Laura with 2807 after emptying the ash pan.

 All that was left to do was to empty the pit of ash, Steve and Chris shoveled, Laura dealt with the wheel barrow and Ed gallantly supervised:

Emptying the pit