Christmas mixed traction gala success

Excellent weather albeit being very cold on the 29th and 30th December marked the GWR’s Christmas Cracker mixed traction gala at which 37215 played a starring role on the 29th. 215 double-headed the 1310 Toddington-Cheltenham Racecourse with GWR 28xx class 2-8-0 no.2807 providing heat and returned solo on the 1400 Cheltenham Racecourse-Laverton (with 2807 on the rear of the train), which provided a much heavier load than normal (equivalent to 10 coaches) and hence much noise! 215 put in its usual excellent performance with many happy class 37 followers on board enjoying the ‘thrash’ and the steam heat.