23rd May 1976

Gloucestershire Steam Enthusiasts
(F & W Railtours)
The Sussex Downsman

Loco Used 47051
Stock Used SO+SO+SO+SO+BSO+SO (lettered A-F respectively)

Route :

Loco Route
47051 Cheltenham Spa - Gloucester
47051 Gloucester - Standish Jn - Stroud - Swindon - ??? - Haywards Heath (2) - Brighton
47051 Brighton - (?reverse of outward route?) - Gloucester
47051 Gloucester - (reverse of outward route) - Cheltenham Spa

Notes :
(1) There was no mention of F&W Railtours in the tour publicity, ticket letter etc of this trip but it is listed as F&W's 7th railtour in their archives.
(2) Passengers for the Bluebell Railway were conveyed by road coach from Haywards Heath; at least steam loco 592 was used on the Bluebell (from photographic evidence).
(3) Route confirmation required.

Sources : Richard Szwejkowski & The F&W/Pathfinder Archive

Photo Review


47051 at Haywards Heath (photo: N.Preedy/The F&W/Pathfinder Archive)


592 at Horsted Keynes (photo: N.Preedy/The F&W/Pathfinder Archive)


From Bob Mitchell's ticket collection.


Timings (Booked Only)
(from the The F&W/Pathfinder Archive)

Location Booked (out) Booked (Rtn)
Cheltenham 07.50d 22.15a
Gloucester 08.00a ~ 08.15d 21.45a ~ 22.05d
Stonehouse 08.33a ~ 08.34d 21.30a ~ 21.31d
Stroud 08.39a ~ 08.40d 21.24a ~ 21.25d
Kemble 08.56a ~ 08.57d 21.05a ~ 21.06d
Swindon 09.12a ~ 09.14d 20.35a ~ 20.38d
Haywards Heath 11.40a ~ ??.??d ??.??a ~ 18.04d
Brighton 12.01a 17.48d

Note: in the letter that went out with the tour tickets the arrival times above were given as the departure times.

Train Fares

Location Adult Child
all joining points £3.85 £3.10

Off Train Options

Location Activity
Haywards Heath road coaches to the Bluebell Railway
Brighton Sightseeing


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