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Last Updated on Thursday, 03 May 2012
Written by Ian Butler
Our Railcars on The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
CDRL's collection of Heritage Railcars are seeing regular use on passenger services out of Toddington Station, offering photographic opportunities not seen for many years. This page offers just a small selection of the sights to be seen in and around the railway.
More photographic submissions are welcome, for details of how to do so please enquire via our Contact Page.
Ian Butler steam cleaning the underside of W51363. This is mucky but essential work to minimise any build up of oil and grease that may otherwise present a fire risk; 13th April 2012. Photo by George Forrest.
A low angle shot of Class 117 DMBS W51363 stood over the maintenance pits at Toddington; 13th April 2012. Photo by George Forrest.
Despite the destination blind displaying Laverton, the red marker lights are the clue that GRCW built 'Bubble Car' W55003 is actually departing Toddington heading South, October 2011. Photo by Andy Smith
The 'Bubble' pictured heading South towards Toddington. In the background is an interesting feature of the line, an aquaduct. There is a public footpath over this feature, making it a popular location for photography; 2nd June 2011. Photo by Darren Failey
The 'Bubble'on the new extension North of Toddington. Much of this section of the line is low-maintenance Continuous Welded Rail; 2nd June 2011. Photo by Darren Failey
Both DMUs owned by Cotswold Diesel Railcar Ltd are captured in this general view of Toddington Station. The Class 117 set is in Platform 2 (right) and had recently seen use on the first ever Sanata Specials North of Toddington. The Christmas lights to the left of the picture are soon to be taken down; 2nd January 2012. Photo by Ian Carpenter.
Class 117 3 Car set on the approach to Toddington station. This year was the first that Santa had travelled on the train North of Toddington. Some visitors were also lucky enough to see some of his 'reindeer' on the way up to Laverton; Decemeber 2011. Photo by Malcolm Ranieri.
An interior shot of 'Bubble Car' W55003 demonstrating the enhanced forward visibility from these Heritage Railcars, which had allowed the previous driver to just miss the roller door leading into the sheds at Toddington! 29th April 2011. Photo by Mike Jaye.
Despite the embankment collapse at nearby Chicken Curve, W55003 makes it through to Winchcombe, although with a degree of assistance. Shortly after, W55003 went on to appear as 'Daisy' at the GWSR's Summer Thomas event; 9th June 2011. Photo by Neil Carr.
The centre trailer car W59510 being gently winched down the low-loader ramp at Toddington; 21st October 2011. Photo by Neil Carr.
W55003 will have inches to spare as the low-loader eases past the Carriage and Wagon building at Winchcombe. Note the umbilical cable that operates the rear steering on the trailer; 9th June 2011 Photo by Neil Carr.
The rear steering clearly seen doing its job as W55003 is inched between C&W and the S&T coach at Winchcombe; 9th June 2011. Photo by Neil Carr.
Shortly after its delivery from the Mid Hants Railway, CDRL's newly acquired Class 117 has been reformed as a 3 car set and is seen stabled in Platform 2; 24th October 2011. Photo by Neil Carr.
'Bubble Car' W55003 captured in late Autumn sunlight at the Northern limit of passenger operations (for the time being), just short of the site of the run-round loop at Laverton; 5th November 2011. Photo by Neil Carr.
Visitors could be easily deceived by this view of both DMUs sitting In Toddington station. Actually the 'Bubble' (left) is working the Laverton-Toddington-Hailes service train, and the 3 Car 117 is stabled in Platform 2 (right). We're looking forward to the opportunity of running all our railcars in a 4 car formation at some point in the future; 25th March 2012. Photo by Paul Stratford ARPS.
At full capacity, the single car 'Bubble' seats around 60 passengers. This unit did not undergo the 1980s British Rail refurbishment programme, as evidenced by the traditional tungsten filament lights; 25th March 2012. Photo by Paul Stratford ARPS.
View of the driving compartment in W55003. Note the 'Maximum Speed 70mph' painted above the driver's window, sadly we're limited to 25mph on The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway; 25th March 2012. Photo by Paul Stratford ARPS.
When leaving Toddington, the driver must collect the single line token from the signalman. There's quite an art for the driver to master, keeping the deadman's control depressed well performing this collection; 25th March 2012. Photo by Paul Stratford ARPS.
W55003 pictured crossing Stanway Viaduct, just North of Toddington. There are impressive views across the Vale of Evesham and towards the Cotswolds escarpment from this section of the line; 25th March 2012. Photo by Paul Stratford ARPS.
'Bubble Car' W55003 is a solitary sight in this view North of Toddington, but a fully loaded single car has proved to be an efficient and popular way of providing passenger journeys on the currently severed railway. Photo by Paul Stratford ARPS.
With the currently inaccesible Winchcombe station in the middle to right of the picture, W55003 passes the distant signal on the approach to Toddington. It is hoped that through services to Winchcombe can resume in Autumn 2012; 25th March 2012. Photo by Paul Stratford ARPS.
The 1958 built W55003 has a particularly bouncy ride quality once on the move, which is quite normal for this lightly sprung design of rail vehicle. Our younger passengers particularly enjoy the experience; 25th March 2012. Photo by Paul Stratford ARPS.
Just visible in the distance is the run round loop under construction at Laverton. Once complete, this will permit the operation of loco-hauled trains on this section of the line; 25th March 2012. Photo by Paul Stratford ARPS.
This is the view looking East from the top of Stanway viaduct, or if you prefer, the right hand side going out of Toddington under the bridge! 25th March 2012. Photo by Paul Stratford ARPS.
The driver's unrestricted view of Stanway viaduct can also be enjoyed by those passengers quick enough to jump into the front seats. The line progresses about 2 miles beyond this point towards Laverton; 25th March 2012. Photo by Paul Stratford ARPS.
Didbrook bridge is normally a popular site for walkers to stop and wave at passing trains, it was obviously too cold on this occasion; 25th March 2012. Photo by Paul Stratford ARPS.
The round trip from Toddington via Hailes Abbey and Laverton, takes around 45 minutes. With six or seven round trips on a daily basis, some of our DMU crews have already been to Laverton 500 times; 25th March 2012. Photo by Paul Stratford ARPS.
As 'Bubble' W55003 carefully negotiates the crossover on its way out of Toddington, there are two other 117 units in the picture. In the headshunt on the left is a 2 Car set, which is the only unit in this picture not owned and maintained by Cotswold Diesel Railcar Ltd; 25th March 2012. Photo by Paul Stratford ARPS.
