Swindon & Cricklade Railway steams into 2022 with a whole host of events

By Jessica Durston - 20 April 2022

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The team at Swindon & Cricklade Railway say they are looking forward to bringing the public some fantastic events this year, and sharing some good news.

Members of the public can expect to see a multitude of events on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway calendar for the remainder of this year. 

Allan Bott, Vice chairman of S&C Railway, said: "We’d like to thank everyone for their support in 2021 and we can’t wait to welcome you in 2022.

"Cricklade draws ever closer to us thanks to our hard-working Permanent Way team who have been battling the wind and rain of the winter to reach the end of 'Phase one' of the 'Return to Cricklade Project.'"

The current rail head now rests at the cutting just before Farfield Lane, where staff need to rebuild a road bridge that was demolished in the late 60s.

Allan added: "It's not just the track though – there's also much infrastructure and clearance work still to be achieved. But hopefully when the summer months grace us, we’ll be able to run trains all the way to Farfield Lane, giving our customers a longer journey in the lush Wiltshire countryside."

S&C Railway will hopefully celebrate the completion of the overhaul of Ex-GWR Locomotive 0-6-2t “6695” in the later summer months. It is a member of the 66xx class and although a Swindon design, it was one of the 49 examples to be built at Armstrong Whitworth of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1928. After a long and busy life it covered over 620,000 miles in service and was withdrawn in 1964. Volunteers have been working to get it back in good workable condition.

Events are said to be jam packed for S&C Railway this season.

Its Jubilee Celebration Real Ale & Cider Festival will run over the holiday weekend from Friday 3 June - Sunday 5 June.

August is set to be another busy month starting with the Past and Present Family Festival. Those with classic or American Muscle cars can also exhibit with S&C Railway on 13 & 14 August.

Later in August, a famous steam locomotive is coming to visit. S&C Railway's 'Day out with Thomas' takes place on 27, 28 & 29 August and will star the Number 1 Blue Engine himself. Organisers urge members of the public not to miss out on Thomas the Tank Engine's first visit to Swindon in over a decade.

More information about the events can be found at swindon-cricklade-railway.org

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