The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway PLC is in the process of rebuilding and restoring a former Great Western mainline as a heritage railway. The empty trackbed from Broadway to Cheltenham was purchased in 1981 and reconstruction commenced. Since then, 12 miles of track, three stations and associated facilities have been lovingly recreated for public enjoyment.

Major Achievements:

• Creating Toddington as the prime visitor gateway for the railway.
• Operating regular time-tabled public passenger trains.
• Establishing Toddington as the motive power centre, complete with new locomotive shed.
• Establishing Winchcombe at the permanent way and the carriage and wagon centre of the railway.
• Operating race day trains to the refurbished Cheltenham Race Course station.
• Creating a visitor attraction with both nostalgic and educational content.
• Encouraging a friendly attitude in our staff when dealing with other volunteers as well as the public.
• Fostering a "small country station" environment at Winchcombe.
• Building twelve miles of first class track capable of carrying the heaviest locomotives at 25 mph.
• Signalling our station layouts using semaphore signals.

In addition to that list of large achievements there are countless smaller items such as:

• Moving a complete station building from Monmouth to Winchcombe
• Rebuilding Gotherington Halt
• Creating a picnic areas at Winchcombe

Milestones for the future:

• Extension northwards by 5 miles to Broadway.
• Recreating Broadway station.
• Building a carriage shed at Winchcombe to protect our restored coaches.
• Signalling the Broadway extension.
• Upgrade of loco facilities and staff amenities

How is all this achieved?

All this work has been completed by a staff of unpaid volunteers working to professional standards, using revenue generated from our operations and shareholder capital. We need more volunteers and capital to enhance and extend the railway.

Ownership of the Railway

The railway is owned by its shareholders, many of whom are also members of our supporting body (the GWRT). The benefits of being a shareholder include:

• Having your say in the way the railway develops.
• Attending the Annual General Meeting, to hear first hand the current progress of the line.
• Half-yearly progress reports.
• Travel benefits which increase with increasing numbers of shares purchased.
• Invitations to special events.

The travel benefits for shareholders are as follows:

• 100 - 500 shares - Three free round trip vouchers per year
• 501 - 1000 shares - Four free round trip vouchers a year
• 1001 - 3000 shares - Five free round trip vouchers a year
• 3001 - 5000 shares -  Free unlimited travel for share holder plus two persons
• Over  5000 shares - as  3001 - 5000 except two persons becomes family (total 2 adults and 2 children) plus includes non bookable events

How do I apply?

Click here to download an application form, print it, complete it and post it to the address on the form.

Or for more information write to:

Buy GWR Shares, GWSR plc, The Railway Station, Toddington, Gloucestershire, GL54 5DT

Or fill in our online form below.

If you would like to buy shares by paying in regular instalments download and complete this form and post it back to the railway.

Alternatively you can buy shares on line by credit card. Again the minimum purchase is £50 and you can buy increments of £1. There is also the option to join the "300 club" by buying £1000 of shares or more.

A copy of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, PLC NOTES for SHAREHOLDERS can be downloaded here,