- Special steam trains run for Cheltenham Festival 14-17 March 2023
- Trains run by Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway volunteers
06 February 2023: In the 1930s the Great Western Railway promoted trips to the Cheltenham Festival, urging race goers to travel ‘By Rail to the Races’.
Today that service is again provided – by the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR), for Cheltenham Festival hospitality specialist Classic Hospitality.
The trains run from Toddington and (on Friday) from Broadway on each day of the Festival, 14-17 March 2023, through the glorious Cotswolds straight into the racecourse at Cheltenham’s Prestbury Park. The main grandstand is less than five minutes’ walk from the station.
Hugh Doubtfire, managing director of Classic Hospitality says: “We have a fantastic and long-standing relationship with the GWSR which we have built over 15 years. We have grown the popularity of the steam trains for both the Cheltenham Festival as well as the November meeting with our large client base of corporate customers. We offer the full Cheltenham solution for customers incorporating the trains with VIP hospitality at the course, overnight Cotswold accommodation, transfer links from local National Rail stations, entrance tickets and viewing seats.
He says that it’s hard to beat the comfort and style of the steam train journey, arriving directly at the back of the main grandstand at Cheltenham Racecourse, just a furlong from the paddock. A truly unique and nostalgic way to start and end a fantastic afternoon of racing.
“Best of all,” he adds, “the trip back to Toddington or Broadway avoids the notorious traffic congestion in and around the racecourse. Car drivers can queue for up to an hour – but the train really does take the strain, whisking you back to Toddington to continue your journey home or to connect with one of our many transfers waiting to take you back to your hotel or travel connection.
“I’m so impressed by the way these classic trains are turned out – spotlessly clean with great nostalgia and a real thoroughbred steam locomotive at the front. And it’s all done by volunteers! I’m proud that we are helping the GWSR to achieve its own goals by running these special trains. At the Festival it’s always notoriously difficult to pick the winners of the competitive races but with the steam trains, we really have backed a winner.”
Adds Richard Johnson, Chairman of GWSR Plc: “The Classic Hospitality service is a vital start to our operating season which begins in March. I am eternally grateful to our willing army of volunteers who put the service on and look after our visitors.
“It’s a great atmosphere – and whether winners or losers on the day, we do our best to make sure that our travellers enjoy every moment of their train experience.”
Cheltenham Racecourse station was originally opened by the Great Western Railway in March 1912, specifically to bring both equine and race going visitors to the venue. The station was only ever opened on race days. Important visitors travelling by train have included many members of the Royal Family, HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother being a particularly regular visitor. The last steam-hauled race train from London Paddington to Cheltenham Racecourse was 60 years ago on 14th March 1963 although diesel-hauled services continued to run from London, the Midlands and elsewhere for race meetings until 1976. After that the former Stratford-upon-Avon to Cheltenham line closed and the track was lifted.
Over subsequent years GWSR volunteers have steadily rebuilt the railway, re-opening Cheltenham Racecourse station in time for the Cheltenham Festival in March 2003. Cheltenham Racecourse station is today the railway’s southern terminus, open on operating days throughout the year: not just race days.
Ticket for the special trains and hospitality packages, organised in partnership with At The Races, are only available from Classic Hospitality from their website www.classichospitality.co.uk or by calling 01825 746082.