Once again 2010 is packed with events on The Honeybourne Line. The centrepiece of the year was the GWR 175 celebration running from May 29th to June 6th but we also welcome the return of Thomas the Tank engine and his friends.

Unfortunately due to filming commitments the anticipated visit by Olton Hall, the locomotive which stars as Hogwarts Castle in the Harry Potter films will now not be able to take place this year. Watch this space for details of the programme for the half term holiday.

So here's a quick summary of what will be happening in the forthcoming months and when - click the links for more or just scroll down the page. This is a 'live' page that will be updated regularly as each event draws near. The larger events will have their own pages devoted to them which will eventually appear as links in the menu on the left hand side.

September

Friday 3rd: Steam firing and driving course
Saturday 4th: Fish and Chips special
Sunday 5th: Elegant Excursions Sunday lunch
Friday 10th: Steam firing and driving course
Saturday 11th: Elegant Excursions evening wine and dine 
Sunday 12th: Transport nostalgia day
Sunday 19th: Elegant Excursions Sunday lunch
Friday 24th: Diesel driving experience
Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th: Day Out With Thomas

October

Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd: Autumn diesel gala
Friday 8th: Steam firing and driving course
Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th: Steam and Vintage Gala at Toddington
Saturday 16th: Brush Type 4 day
Saturday 16th: Lunchtime Fish and Chips special
Sunday 17th: Elegant Excursions Sunday lunch
Friday 22nd: Steam firing and driving course
Sat 23rd, Sun 24th, Tues 26th, Wed 27th, Thur 28th, Sat 30th, Sun 31st: Special timetable with all trains running across the viaduct to Stanton
Friday 29th: Diesel driving experience

November

Friday 5th: Diesel driving experience
Saturday 6th: Lunchtime Fish and Chips special
Saturday 13th: Lunchtime Fish and Chips special
Sunday 14th: Elegant Excursions Sunday lunch 
Friday 26th: Diesel driving experience 

December

Saturday 4th, Sunday 5th, Saturday 11th, Sunday 12th, Saturday 18th, Sunday 19th, Tuesday 21st, Wednesday 22nd, Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th: Santa Specials
Sunday 5th: Elegant Excursions Sunday lunch
Saturday 11th: Elegant Excursions evening wine and dine
Saturday 11th: Carol special
Sunday 19th: Elegant Excursions evening wine and dine
Sunday 26th: Mince pie special
Monday 27th: Christmas Diesel Day
Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th: Christmas Cracker steam gala 

January 2011

Monday 3rd: Last day of the Season. Lunchtime Fish and Chips special

Transport nostalgia day - Sunday 12th September

The second of these special days for classic petrol-heads when the GWR once again hosts historic cars & motorcycles, buses and commercial vehicles.  There will again be plenty to enjoy when you can marvel at the once-familiar marques that have pretty much disappeared off our roads while it's a chance to see how still-familiar names have evolved over the years.  If you have a classic vehicle, why don't you bring it along?  Contact the event organiser Jim Clarke by  clicking here and let him know.  The more the merrier! Download an entry form here. Trade stand owners can download an entry form here.

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Day Out With Thomas - Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th September

Join Thomas and his friends for his second visit of the year to the GWR. Check out our dedicated Thomas page for details.

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Autumn diesel gala - Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd October

The last big diesel gala of the year is right up your street if you enjoy the sight and spectacular sound of big, blue locomotives.  All available working diesel locomotives from the GWR's own well-turned-out fleet will be operating along with visiting locomotives. The GWR's diesel galas have a loyal following and are hugely enjoyable occasions.  If you've wondered what all the interest is about, why don't you come to find out? Full details of the locomotive roster and the timetable of an intensive service will be published on this site in due course.

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Santa Specials - 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th Decemeber

This is without doubt the best 'Santa Experience' for miles around.  Excellent value, every youngster receives a quality Christmas gift after a steam train trip from Toddington to Winchcombe while both kids and grown-ups can enjoy excellent mince pies and refreshments at Winchcombe station.  Advanced booking is essential as seats very quickly book up. Tickets will be available online, details nearer the time.

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Enjoy steam and diesel after Christmas

The GWR rounds of its year in spectacular fashion between Christmas and New Year.
On Boxing Day is are our Mince Pie Specials operating to our Blue Timetable, which also operates on 28th December, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.  But Monday 27th December is the last chance to enjoy a 'diesel thrash' as a special timetable operates with a wide choice of heritage diesel traction running between Toddington and Cheltenham.

Then Wednesday and Thursday, 29th and 30th December, is the GWR's acclaimed 'Christmas Cracker' which is an excuse for the steam locomotive department to turn out every available steam engine with an intensive timetable.  If the weather is cold and crisp, you can enjoy some truly spectacular steam and smoke effects.  Your ticket allows you as many trips as you wish on the day you visit. Your challenge, then, is to be travel behind every engine in operation!

Finally, we've extended our season to Monday 3rd January 2011 to cover the New Year Bank Holiday.

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