Christmas came two days early for the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway when a 35 year dream of returning trains to the Cotswold tourist honeypot of Broadway finally came true.
On December 23, the last rail on the line’s northern extension was fixed into position, linking it to the rails already laid between the platforms of the new GWR-style Broadway station.
Volunteers celebrated with a cup of tea as the connection extended the line to 15 miles, linking Broadway station with Cheltenham Racecourse.
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Shortly afterwards the first train, comprising the permanent way department’s ballast and engineering wagons, was carefully propelled into the platforms, alongside the brand new station building.
It was the first train to stop at Broadway station since BR closed this and other stations on the line on March 7, 1960. Broadway station itself was demolished in November 1963.
Read more in Issue 237 of HR – on sale now!
