City of Truro heads to Swindon & Cricklade Railway

29 Mar 2010

The totally volunteer run Swindon & Cricklade Railway, Wiltshire’s only standard gauge Heritage railway, is playing its part in the various GWR175 celebrations with a GWR175 Steam Gala over the two consecutive weekends of 12/13 and 19/20 June, featuring a different line-up of four locomotives in steam each weekend.

The first weekend of 12/13 June will feature City of Truro, along with Collett 2-6-2 tank 5542, coupled to Auto-coach 178, also especially brought in for the occasion. Two of the home fleet of 0-6-0 tank engines will be in steam as well.

The second weekend of 19/20 June will feature a surprise former GWR guest locomotive, plus 5542 running with Auto-coach 178, plus two of the home fleet of 0-6-0 tank engines.

5542 is to remain at the Railway for a number of weeks.

This event is the largest event ever contemplated by the S&CR, and the Railway is actively seeking sponsorship to help offset the large costs involved in bringing the various locomotives and Autocoach to Swindon. From sponsoring a "whole" locomotive, to a ton of coal. If interested in helping the Railway with sponsorship, please contact Paul Ricks on 07738 475317.

Other attractions include a vintage funfair for both weekends, and miniature train rides for the second weekend. Also, "driver for a fiver", whereby, visitors can try their hands at the controls of a steam engine for a short distance, up and down.

The charity "The Railway Children" will be present for the second weekend, with all profits from the miniature train rides going towards this most deserving cause.

Coincidentally, the Railway is hoping to have a further half mile of track available to use for the Steam Gala. This is part of the ongoing line expansion south to, ultimately, Sparcells. In between the two weekends, there will be a number of themed days, including footplate experiences, and a photographic day.

There will be a bus service to the Railway, from the GWR Museum, STEAM in Swindon. With a joint ticket available; advance tickets will be available from the Railway website, www.swindon-cricklade-railway.org from 1 March.

Swindon & Cricklade Railway gratefully acknowledge the National Rail Museum, York, for their help, and generosity in allowing the visit of City of Truro; and also the help of Andrew Goodman in facilitating the road transportation of City of Truro.