Although several months away, we are excited to hear that Broadway Station will be opening on Good Friday 30th March 2018. Just over 12 months away and the golden age of steam is set to return to Broadway.
Broadway’s station was demolished by British Rail in 1963 and volunteers from Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) are painstakingly rebuilding and restoring the station to its former glory. At the time of writing, the station’s two platforms and signal box are nearly completed and work is well underway on the station buildings. Laying of the track is continuing to join Broadway with the existing railway which currently runs from Cheltenham Racecourse through Winchcombe and Toddington to Laverton some 2 miles short of Broadway.
The railway is also re-instating the Hayles Abbey Halt, at Hailes, to serve the nearby ruined Hailes Abbey. The halt will be a request-only stop for pedestrians and cyclists and will hopefully be completed later this year.
The GWR is all volunteer run and has a dedicated team working two days a week (Wednesdays and Saturdays) at the site on Station Road, Broadway, a 20 minute walk from our Cotswold holiday cottages in West End. The project remains dependent on sponsors and donors and all donations are gratefully received. More information about the railway and rebuilding of Broadway Station can be found at http://broadwaystationgroup.blogspot.co.uk/.
On 24th April, Alan Bielby, GWSR will be giving a talk on the rebuilding of the railway and Broadway Station at Broadway Methodist Church Hall starting at 7pm. For further information about the talk, organised by Broadway History Society, visit www.broadwayhistorysociety.wordpress.com.