GWSR 6880 'Betton Grange' Photographic Charter
A photographic charter at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway with 4-6-0 No. 6880 Betton Grange
Thursday 20th March 2025 0845-1900
Toddington Railway Station, Toddington, Gloucestershire, GL54 5DT
Join us for a photography day in the Cotswolds, featuring BR Lined Green 6880 Betton Grange hauling an eight-coach passenger train with a mixture of MK1 carriages. For the first time on the GWSR, 6880 Betton Grange is scheduled to face north upon its arrival at the railway, it will also be one of the first opportunities to photograph the locomotive on a passenger train in this direction. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the GWSR lineside clearance team, several newly opened vistas along cuttings and embankments will provide some new photographic opportunities.
The Granges were a familiar sight on the Stratford-upon-Avon to Cheltenham route, and had worked 'The Cornishman' on several occasions—a moment we’ll plan to re-create. We will have use of the appropriate reporting numbers and The Cornishman headboard available to us on the day.
Itinerary
Our photography day will begin promptly at 08:45 with a safety briefing at Toddington station. We will depart approximately 0900 and we will set off to make full use of the line, spanning Broadway to Cheltenham Racecourse.
Morning Highlights
The morning session will focus on the Toddington–Broadway section, starting with run pasts of the train working across Stanway Viaduct. We will walk down from the viaduct to the farm where there are views looking side on to the structure.
From there, we’ll move towards Broadway, stopping at locations in Stanton Cutting and Little Buckland. By late morning, we will run round at Broadway, pausing at Toddington for lunch.
Lunchtime Break
The Cotswold Halt Cafe will be open, offering a selection of hot food, toasties, and sandwiches for participants to refuel before heading back out for the afternoon session.
Afternoon Highlights
The afternoon session will explore the southern section of the line. 6880 will run round during the lunch break and we’ll begin by heading south of Toddington to Winchcombe, where the locomotive will run round again to face north. We will travel to Chicken Curve and stand in the cutting along the Defford Straight, where the recently cleared bracken provides some new perspectives of the locomotive working up the gradient.
From there, we’ll progress to the cutting at Greet Tunnel, photographing the train from both the Winchcombe side and the far side of the tunnel at Greet, where the rolling Cotswold countryside and the distant Malvern Hills create a superb backdrop.
Next, 6880 will run round the carriages at Winchcombe and we will make our way to Cheltenham Racecourse. As the sun goes down, we’ll make the most of the last light around the Gotherington area, where we may have the chance of some silhouettes around Manor Lane.
After the final shots, we’ll return to Toddington at around 1900.
This itinerary is carefully crafted to offer a diverse range of angles and settings, allowing participants to photograph in locations not typically accessible during regular operating days.
Tickets
A maximum of 35 places will be available to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable photography experience. We expect this will sell out quite quickly, so please book now to avoid disappointment.
A photographic charter at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway with 4-6-0 No. 6880 Betton Grange
Thursday 20th March 2025 0845-1900
Toddington Railway Station, Toddington, Gloucestershire, GL54 5DT
Join us for a photography day in the Cotswolds, featuring BR Lined Green 6880 Betton Grange hauling an eight-coach passenger train with a mixture of MK1 carriages. For the first time on the GWSR, 6880 Betton Grange is scheduled to face north upon its arrival at the railway, it will also be one of the first opportunities to photograph the locomotive on a passenger train in this direction. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the GWSR lineside clearance team, several newly opened vistas along cuttings and embankments will provide some new photographic opportunities.
The Granges were a familiar sight on the Stratford-upon-Avon to Cheltenham route, and had worked 'The Cornishman' on several occasions—a moment we’ll plan to re-create. We will have use of the appropriate reporting numbers and The Cornishman headboard available to us on the day.
Itinerary
Our photography day will begin promptly at 08:45 with a safety briefing at Toddington station. We will depart approximately 0900 and we will set off to make full use of the line, spanning Broadway to Cheltenham Racecourse.
Morning Highlights
The morning session will focus on the Toddington–Broadway section, starting with run pasts of the train working across Stanway Viaduct. We will walk down from the viaduct to the farm where there are views looking side on to the structure.
From there, we’ll move towards Broadway, stopping at locations in Stanton Cutting and Little Buckland. By late morning, we will run round at Broadway, pausing at Toddington for lunch.
Lunchtime Break
The Cotswold Halt Cafe will be open, offering a selection of hot food, toasties, and sandwiches for participants to refuel before heading back out for the afternoon session.
Afternoon Highlights
The afternoon session will explore the southern section of the line. 6880 will run round during the lunch break and we’ll begin by heading south of Toddington to Winchcombe, where the locomotive will run round again to face north. We will travel to Chicken Curve and stand in the cutting along the Defford Straight, where the recently cleared bracken provides some new perspectives of the locomotive working up the gradient.
From there, we’ll progress to the cutting at Greet Tunnel, photographing the train from both the Winchcombe side and the far side of the tunnel at Greet, where the rolling Cotswold countryside and the distant Malvern Hills create a superb backdrop.
Next, 6880 will run round the carriages at Winchcombe and we will make our way to Cheltenham Racecourse. As the sun goes down, we’ll make the most of the last light around the Gotherington area, where we may have the chance of some silhouettes around Manor Lane.
After the final shots, we’ll return to Toddington at around 1900.
This itinerary is carefully crafted to offer a diverse range of angles and settings, allowing participants to photograph in locations not typically accessible during regular operating days.
Tickets
A maximum of 35 places will be available to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable photography experience. We expect this will sell out quite quickly, so please book now to avoid disappointment.
A photographic charter at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway with 4-6-0 No. 6880 Betton Grange
Thursday 20th March 2025 0845-1900
Toddington Railway Station, Toddington, Gloucestershire, GL54 5DT
Join us for a photography day in the Cotswolds, featuring BR Lined Green 6880 Betton Grange hauling an eight-coach passenger train with a mixture of MK1 carriages. For the first time on the GWSR, 6880 Betton Grange is scheduled to face north upon its arrival at the railway, it will also be one of the first opportunities to photograph the locomotive on a passenger train in this direction. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the GWSR lineside clearance team, several newly opened vistas along cuttings and embankments will provide some new photographic opportunities.
The Granges were a familiar sight on the Stratford-upon-Avon to Cheltenham route, and had worked 'The Cornishman' on several occasions—a moment we’ll plan to re-create. We will have use of the appropriate reporting numbers and The Cornishman headboard available to us on the day.
Itinerary
Our photography day will begin promptly at 08:45 with a safety briefing at Toddington station. We will depart approximately 0900 and we will set off to make full use of the line, spanning Broadway to Cheltenham Racecourse.
Morning Highlights
The morning session will focus on the Toddington–Broadway section, starting with run pasts of the train working across Stanway Viaduct. We will walk down from the viaduct to the farm where there are views looking side on to the structure.
From there, we’ll move towards Broadway, stopping at locations in Stanton Cutting and Little Buckland. By late morning, we will run round at Broadway, pausing at Toddington for lunch.
Lunchtime Break
The Cotswold Halt Cafe will be open, offering a selection of hot food, toasties, and sandwiches for participants to refuel before heading back out for the afternoon session.
Afternoon Highlights
The afternoon session will explore the southern section of the line. 6880 will run round during the lunch break and we’ll begin by heading south of Toddington to Winchcombe, where the locomotive will run round again to face north. We will travel to Chicken Curve and stand in the cutting along the Defford Straight, where the recently cleared bracken provides some new perspectives of the locomotive working up the gradient.
From there, we’ll progress to the cutting at Greet Tunnel, photographing the train from both the Winchcombe side and the far side of the tunnel at Greet, where the rolling Cotswold countryside and the distant Malvern Hills create a superb backdrop.
Next, 6880 will run round the carriages at Winchcombe and we will make our way to Cheltenham Racecourse. As the sun goes down, we’ll make the most of the last light around the Gotherington area, where we may have the chance of some silhouettes around Manor Lane.
After the final shots, we’ll return to Toddington at around 1900.
This itinerary is carefully crafted to offer a diverse range of angles and settings, allowing participants to photograph in locations not typically accessible during regular operating days.
Tickets
A maximum of 35 places will be available to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable photography experience. We expect this will sell out quite quickly, so please book now to avoid disappointment.
TO BRING ON THE DAY
Orange High Visibility jacket
Sturdy boots
Appropriate clothing for the weather
Camera gear
HEALTH & FITNESS
Due to the nature of this event, the railway will not be able to accommodate photographers with walking aids or other apparatus. We will need to walk on uneven ground and there may be short walks involved during the day.
SAFETY
All participants will need to attend the safety briefing at the beginning of the day.
BOOKING INFO
All participants will receive a follow up email with joining instructions.
FOOD
The Cotswold Halt Cafe at Toddington will be open for breakfast (bacon, sausage, or egg baps) and lunch options, including toasties and sandwiches. Please feel free to bring your own packed lunch.
GENERAL DISCLAIMER
While every effort will be made to deliver this photo charter as planned, unforeseen circumstances may necessitate changes to the schedule or even cancellation of the event. The organiser and the host railway cannot be held liable for such situations. Furthermore, we cannot accept responsibility for any personal injuries, or for the loss or damage of equipment, regardless of the cause, during the event. In the event of cancellation, a full refund will be issued. However, if you are unable to attend, we regret that refunds cannot be offered due to prior commitments made to the railway. Click here to see our terms and conditions and ticketing policy