GWR Cheltenham Race Course Station

The Gloucester Warwickshire Heritage Railway known universally as GWR, is a favourite destination for railway buffs. The station at Cheltenham was on the Cheltenham to Honeybourne line in British Rail main line days and is ideally situated being located within the grounds of Cheltenham Race Course. It means that today race goers can still arrive at the course by steam railway. The iconic station has not changed much since its halcyon days in the early part of the 20th century. It sits in a cutting and is protected by tall pines on both sides. Nowadays only one platform is used although if you look carefully the entrance ramp can still be made out on platform two. The station is unusual in having the ticket hall separate from the station its self being situated at the top of the main concourse. In this film I have tried to recreate the atmosphere from the past when the station was a regular destination for travellers.

[@StavTech]

I remember in the mid/late 80s as a kid riding through the tunnel and then through the station on our bikes, long before it was restored in to action, just overgrown platforms and ballast back then.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Happy days. P.W.

[@nicholaslewis6065]

Lovely relaxed film. Many thanks

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thank You, Ron

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

Travelled the line in 2019 on a couple of occasions. I was very impressed by the detail and tidiness of it all.
Seeing you waiting on the Racecourse platform took me back to those wonderful days. Thank you for sharing.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

No problem Lionel. Ron

[@TrainDriverRob]

Day off for me today, what a relaxing start watching your video. Nice to see a retired colleague of mine driving the DMU at the start. Like you, he has a love of boats and can be seen on the Severn round your neck of the woods.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thanks Rob, nice to hear from you, enjoy the rest of your day. Ron

[@grahamlee3296]

Excellent. We have really missed our Cheltenham R C to Broadway trips this year. Fingers crossed for 2021.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

So say all of us Graham. Ron

[@garydwyer641]

Hello Ron , What a picturesque place you took us to today the scenery , station was wonderful the black and white touch really complimented it well and to also catch a steam train as well really felt like it was a different era. well done.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thanks Gary, glad you enjoyed it. Ron

[@notyhbynorthwest]

That was just a delightful video, Ron. One to watch again. Loved all the little vignettes around the station and locomotive picking up all sorts of interesting stuff. Take care.....Ian

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thanks Ian. Glad you enjoyed it. Ron

[@philippankhurst6680]

Excellent - you really have made the most of the GWSR's present (and maybe permanent) terminus. I hope that you are able at some point to give the same treatment to the other end of the line. The recreation of Broadway station is one of railway preservation's major achievements, even in its current 'work in progress' state. When the footbridge is complete, the Platform 2 building is up and the signal box is operational it will feel more 'GWR' than just about anywhere else in God's Wonderful country.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thanks Philip, I'm keeping an eye on Broadway, or should I say I was before this nonsense started. Ron

[@johnsparkes8963]

Lovely bit of filming Ron very enjoyable video. Thank you for sharing and take care.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Glad you enjoyed it John. Ron

[@davidbennett6079]

Another wonderful film Ron, and a very scenic station. I will definitely have to pay it a visit next time I'm down in the Cotswolds...Soon I hope.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

I'm sure you will enjoy it David. Ron

[@leeclift4666]

Lovely Ron roll on summer don't forget this evening channel 5 8pm👍👍👍👍👍

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thank's Lee got it. Ron

[@levelcrossing150]

Hi Ron, Thank you for showing us around Cheltenham Racecourse Station. As always the video was beautifully presented with nice attention to detail and recreating the old days was a nice touch. Have a good weekend, Best Wishes...Tim.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Saturday comment Tim, I had to check twice to make sure it was you. Keep smiling. Ron

[@levelcrossing150]

@@ParkinsonsWalksHa ha, I can't have you both loosing sleep now can i Ron!...Take care....Tim

[@michaelpilling9659]

That was lovely Ron. Thanks so much for the wonderful video. The camera work was superb and the sound affects were great What a treat to see a working railway again. Stay safe please Ron. See you next week

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thanks Michael glad you enjoyed it, you stay safe too. Ron

[@PROPHETVberlinschule]

Nicely filmed and beautifully presented. Another excellent vlog, Ron.👍

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Glad you enjoyed it. Ron

[@thehairygolfer]

£1 for a platform ticket!!!!!!! I can remember paying 2p at Gloucester station in the 1970's

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

That was probably half your pocket money for the week wasn't it Simon. Ron

[@thehairygolfer]

@@ParkinsonsWalks I probably found it in the gutter Ron!!!!

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

@@thehairygolfer Spent some time there myself! Ron

[@thehairygolfer]

@@ParkinsonsWalks Found a fiver once. One of the big old blue ones - NOT a white one!

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

@@thehairygolfer I expect it slipped out of the mattress. Ron