CLASS 55 No. 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier has become the first of this iconic type ever to operate a passenger train on any part of the former Stratford upon Avon–Honeybourne–Cheltenham line. It was the only visiting loco supporting the varied home fleet of six locos at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway’s July 29-31 diesel gala.
It was such a star loco it ensured the event was a huge success with more than 1,500 tickets issued – this continuing an upward trend in attendance for GWSR diesel galas.