Heritage diesel fleet maintained services during heatwave
“We take our responsibility to neighbours seriously”, says railway
FRIDAY 28 AUGUST 2026: After a break of over a month and following recent heavy rainfall, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) has resumed steam operation on its 14-mile Cotswold line between Cheltenham and Broadway.
Thanks to summer heatwaves and nearly 60 days without rain, the GWSR has operated a ‘fire risk timetable’ since 16th July using its fleet of heritage diesel locomotives. This followed an announcement by Network Rail, which banned the use of steam locomotives on the national network because of the risk of sparks triggering a wildfire.
Rebecca Denyer, Business Services Manager at the GWSR said: “The safety of our visitors and volunteers is, of course, our number one priority. We are also very conscious of our responsibility to our neighbours, which includes farms and woodland owners alongside our railway.
“Hundreds of wildfires developed across the UK over this exceptionally dry summer, some of which consumed properties and in some instances claimed life. This pushed emergency services to the limit, so the last thing we wanted to be responsible for was yet another wildfire in the Cotswolds.
“Our travelling visitors have been extremely understanding and appreciate the action we have taken, while our diesel services - using historic locomotives dating from the late 1950s to the early 1970s - have been appreciated by the growing number of people who feel nostalgia for the early days of diesel traction on the UK’s railway network.”
The GWSR has, meanwhile, modified its home fleet of steam locomotives to improve spark-arresting capabilities and reduce the risk of hot ashes being released from ashpans, as well as improving ashpan sprinkling systems that spray water onto ash and cinders falling through the fire grate.
“Expert opinion suggests that this summer has not been a ‘one-off’ as temperature records are repeatedly broken and we can expect more frequent heat waves in the future,” added Rebecca Denyer. "We are therefore doing all we can to ensure that we can continue to operate steam locomotives as much as possible.
“However, working on a steam locomotive is of course very hot work. We may occasionally have to withdraw steam on hot days to protect our volunteers.”
The railway also has water routinely available for travellers who may suffer from the heat, particularly as the historic carriages are not air-conditioned. “And, if temperatures significantly exceed 30 degrees C, we may decide to withdraw services altogether to protect both volunteers and visitors," Rebecca Denyer says.
The GWSR is one of the leading tourist attractions in the Cotswolds, carrying over 100,000 passengers annually and is thus an important contributor to the local tourist economy.
Concluded Rebecca Denyer: “Regardless of the type of locomotive at the front of the train, a journey on our railway is still an extraordinary experience through some of the loveliest countryside that can be seen from a carriage window - although the landscape lately has been brown rather than green. Our volunteers dedicate their time and skill in restoring and operating steam and diesel locomotives, as well as our 60-year-old carriages and our infrastructure.
"It’s not just a train ride, but an incredible nostalgic experience, and we look forward to welcoming our regulars and new visitors alike.”
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Media contact: Ian Crowder, 07775 566 555 or [email protected]
NOTE FOR EDITORS: ABOUT THE GWSR
The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway operates over part of the former Great Western Railway main line between Cheltenham in Gloucestershire and Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire. It operates over 14 miles between Cheltenham Racecourse and Broadway in Worcestershire. The railway was closed by British Rail 50 years ago in 1976 and the track and infrastructure were removed in 1979/80. A group formed to persuade BR to retain the line then became the formative Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway Plc, which took occupation of Toddington station yard. Volunteers then set about acquiring and restoring locomotives and coaches, rebuilding stations, and replacing the track BR had removed. It operated its first train over 600 yards of newly laid track in 1984. Today, the GWSR has some 900 volunteers who restore, maintain and operate locomotives, rolling stock, signalling, stations and track. The railway also employs a full-time equivalent of about 12 employees, based at the railway’s Winchcombe offices.