Taking steps to success: Delegates of the GWR Forum gathered at Winchcombe station last Saturday to continue planning for the 175th anniversary of the creation of the Great Western Railway and are here posed on the footbridge at the station. The gentleman wearing the chain of office is the Chairman of Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bryan Chalker (Photograph by Ian Crowder)

The momentum for GWR175 is building with the latest GWR Forum having taken place on 13 February.  Hosted by the Honeybourne Line at Winchcombe station, there was a good turnout from railways and organisations with an interest in seeing the 175^th anniversary of the Great Western Railway celebrated properly and the anniversary given a high public profile. 

One benefit of the Forum has been that the railways involved in celebrating GWR175 have chosen dates that don't clash with other  events; there is a common marketing theme including the GWR175 loco you see on our homepage and above all, that organisations are co-operating with one another to ensure the success of all.

Malcolm Temple, chairman of GWSR Plc who attended the meeting, commented: "This really is a welcome initiative.  I believe that much better communication between those interested in the former Great Western Railway is vital - it is after all, probably the best loved and most charismatic of all of the railway companies and its spirit is alive and well today. It's likely that a GWR Forum will continue into the future from this fine beginning that will do much to improve public understanding of the Great Western Railway and all of the social and economic benefits that derived from its creation 175 years ago.

"Of course most major railways - and the Great Western in particular - remain as vibrant tributes to the vision of those who engineered them.  The route of the Great Western from Paddington to Bristol for example, would still be recognisable to those who built it.  The major stations, bridges, cuttings, tunnels, viaducts and other structures are not just monuments to their creators' skills but still play a vital role in our modern transport infrastructure.

"I'm really proud that we - on the Honeybourne Line - are organising one of the leading events this year and I'm certain we will put on an event that Brunel, Gooch and their successors would appreciate and enjoy."

Organisations involved include:

STEAM - the museum of the Great Western Railway
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
Didcot Railway Centre
Tyseley Locomotive Works
Vintage Trains
Swindon & Cricklade Railway
Railway Children - the voice for street children worldwide
South Devon Railway
National Railway Museum
Steam Railway magazine
Railway Magazine
Swindon Borough Council
Bath & North East Somerset Council
Kingfisher Productions
First Great Western
Arriva Trains
Chiltern Trains
Swindon Outlet Centre
Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway