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....and the locomotive chosen to haul the GWR Landslip Appeal train for the media? 2807! A very fitting choice, the oldest GWR locomotive not in state ownership and an ex-"Honeybourne Line" stalwart (from both GWR and BR days). Chuffed is not the word for it! Unfortunately I couldnt...

Although the official announcement regarding the appeal for funds to reinstate the line to Cheltenham Race Course (involving considerable drainage and embankment replacement south of Gotherington as well as other drainage improvements elsewhere on the line) was made yesterday by Mr Waterman, I...

The good news is that the Gotherington landslip damage is about to be tackled. The full story is here (just posted on the GWR website today) http://www.gwsr.com/news/latest-news/first-gotherington-embankment-collapse-contracts-placed-–-and-green-light-for-laverton!.aspx It is also good...

I am very pleased to say that 2807 is now in service at the GWR at Toddington, Glos. The locomotive is booked to run some trains this coming weekend (21 and 22 Aug). I was able to take a trip behind the loco on 7 Aug but we had a valve cover boss failure (due to a dropped link due to a pin...

Well, we shall soon see a blue "King" again! I have only ever seen these locos in the blue colour scheme in photos. I understand that the colour scheme was withdrawn because the blue colour did not wear well in service. I also believe that the green livery looked a little better on GWR...

It is now confirmed on the New S&D Website that the Midford Station site has now been purchased for restoration as an information centre for the New Somerset & Dorset Railway. It is intended eventually to form part of the rebuilt S&D but of course this remains the subject of much debate...

One thing to thank supermarkets for I suppose, there is little doubt that the station would have lost its overall roof at the very least if Sainsburys hadn't incorporated it into a car park. Of course the importance of architecture in Bath probably helped protect this fine edifice from...

"Such a shame, that not a single part of it remains." Not quite. Track is being relaid at Midsomer Norton and at Shillingford, where both stations have been or are being rebuilt. The Gartell Light Railway runs over some of the old S&D formation and, although not a railway as such, the...

The latest news on the 2807 Fotopic site is here: http://cotswoldsteampreservation.fpic.co.uk/c1857042.html If I may be permitted a very brief outburst: JUST REJOICE AT THAT NEWS!

Many thanks for the link to the photos; that is a serious line-up of GWR glory in one of the shots! Also how wonderful to see a shot of CoT with some coaches that are compatible (I have never seen it with anything other than Mk 1 stock) with the period of the locomotive's heyday. I'm sure that...

A friend has come to visit us here in Lincolnshire from York and travelled by East Coast. She said the train was absolutely packed. Now, here's a note to the next bloke/woman that comes round wanting my vote: Rebuild the Waverley Route (all of it you muppet) Rebuild the Great Central...

Thanks, I was pretty sure that there were some risky races between the GWR and the LSWR. Whilst Withered Arm has taken some flak personally, I might suggest that those who say it cannot be done should stay clear of those who are busy doing it. However, Withered Arm needs to focus on...

Thank you for your kind words which are much appreciated. I cannot and would not wish to take any credit for the recent surge in the restoration developments with 2807 except to tell anyone who would listen (and some who didn't want to!) that 2807 was going to steam one day and sooner rather...

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit dear boy!

Work has now re-started on clearing the Devonshire Tunnel northern portal (contractors started again on 17 Mar once all the paperwork had been done!) as part of opening up the old S&D tunnels for cyclists and walkers. This project is being organised by Sustrans and does not form part of the new...

I would like to see more LSWR locos and stock. I have always had an interest in the LSWR if only that it competed with the GWR in the South West and, to some extent lost. I believe that the GWR and the LSWR regularly engaged in races to Plymouth for the lucrative ocean mail traffic before WWI...

A St Patricks Day to remember! On Wed 17 Mar 2010, a fire was lit in 2807's boiler (at 1207 pm) for the first time since 1963. I received the e-mail late last night. There are some photos from Llangollen on the 2807 photo website: http://cotswoldsteampreservation.fpic.co.uk/ I'm only...

A few more small developments on the rebirth of the Somerset and Dorset. The main focus continues to be the development of the Midsomer Norton site as a heritage railway and, to that end, some of the rolling stock has been coming and going for restoration. An ex SR PMV recently arrived whilst...

Yes, I wondered how long it would be before the infamous Dunstable Heritage Railway project (twinned with Helmand) would be mentioned! Now although I know I'm seen as 2 stops away from Barking regarding my views on pushing ahead with the entire Somerset and Dorset and some other lines too, this...

Yes indeed, I could not agree more. Railways are the future but there are still a few 1970s dinosaurs about who only remember the dominance of the internal combustion engine. Time will tell. The Cambridgeshire fiasco should be a clear warning to all but Luton has been sold some "snake oil" in...