CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR)
Effective Date: January 2026
1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
1.1. Binding Contract: By purchasing a ticket, or by entering the premises of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR), you agree to be bound by these Conditions of Carriage and the Railway Byelaws.
1.2. Standard Conditions: These terms apply in addition to the GWSR Standard Conditions of Carriage available at our station booking offices and online.
1.3. Non-Transferable: Tickets are valid only for the person, date, and service specified and may not be resold or transferred.
2. TICKETING, REFUNDS & ALTERATIONS
2.1. Refund Policy: Online tickets are generally non-refundable and non-transferable. For date-specific events, GWSR will consider refund requests on their merit if made at least 14 days prior to travel. Requests must be made by telephone and confirmed via email. No refunds will be considered after this time.
2.2. Alterations: Requests to change a booking date must be made at least 14 days prior to travel and are subject to seat availability.
2.3. Administration Fees: A non-refundable fee of £5.00 applies to all successful refunds and alterations.
2.4. Annual Passes: Annual passes are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.
Off Peak passes are valid for "Standard Travel" Thursdays and Sundays only. They are not valid for catered events (e.g., Fish & Chip Specials, Afternoon Tea), Galas, or Santa Specials.
Individual passed have unlimited Individual Travel - anytime, including all galas but excluding any events that include food (e.g. Fish & Chips) and Santas.
3. SERVICE OPERATED & LIABILITY
3.1. Schedule Changes: While every effort is made to run trains as advertised, GWSR reserves the right to cancel, alter, or suspend services without notice for operational, safety, or weather-related reasons.
3.2. Limitation of Liability: In the event of a cancellation, GWSR’s liability is strictly limited to a refund of the appropriate part of the fare. GWSR accepts no liability for consequential loss, delay, or disappointment.
3.3. Motive Power: Every effort is made to use advertised locomotives (Steam or Diesel); however, traction is subject to availability and may change without notice.
4. HERITAGE ENVIRONMENT WARNINGS
4.1. Steam Emissions: Steam locomotives may emit cinders, ash, or oily residue. GWSR accepts no responsibility for damage to clothing, personal belongings, or vehicles on our premises.
4.2. Noise & Infrastructure: High noise levels are part of normal heritage operations. Passengers are responsible for their own hearing protection if required.
5. PASSENGER CONDUCT
5.1. Supervision: Children aged 15 and under must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
5.2. Right of Refusal: GWSR reserves the right to refuse travel or remove any person who is intoxicated, disorderly, or abusive. No refund will be issued in such cases.
5.3. Smoking & Vaping: Smoking and vaping (including e-cigarettes) are strictly prohibited in all buildings, on all trains, and across the entire GWSR estate.
6. ANIMALS & PERSONAL TRANSPORT
6.1. Dogs: Well-behaved dogs are permitted in Standard Class only (fare applies). They must be kept on a lead, stay on the floor, and remain under strict control. Dogs (except assistance dogs) are prohibited from First Class, catering vehicles, and specific special event trains.
6.2. Prohibited Devices: E-scooters, e-skateboards, e-unicycles, and hoverboards are strictly prohibited on all GWSR trains and premises for safety and fire prevention.
7. ACCESSIBILITY
7.1. Equipment Limits: To ensure safe boarding via heritage ramps, wheelchairs and mobility scooters must not exceed 790mm in width.
7.2. Assistance: Staff and volunteers are available to assist at all stations. Ramps are carried on all standard services.
GROUP BOOKINGS
1. The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway Plc (“We” and “the Railway”) has offered to enter into agreement with you our customer (“You” and “Your”) for a group booking. You accept these terms and conditions by making the booking.
2. All visitors to the Railway must abide by the Conditions of Carriage.
3. These terms and conditions govern this booking which You have made with the Railway and supersedes all other written or oral terms and representations between the parties which relate to this booking.
4. In the case of any conflict with any terms and conditions presented by You, then these Terms and Conditions shall apply.
5. Groups of ten or more passengers will attract a discount amounting to 10% on the standard advertised price.
5.1. Prices quoted at the time of booking will be inclusive of the a forementioned discount.
6. All details of Your booking will be confirmed to you separately in writing or via email.
7. You must confirm final passenger numbers at least 7 working days before travel. If the actual number of passengers on the day is lower than this confirmed number, the Railway reserves the right to charge based on the confirmed number. If the number is higher, the additional passengers will be charged at the prevailing rate, subject to capacity
8. All bookings will be charged at the rate agreed at the time of booking based on the number of passengers indicated at the time of booking. Payment is due on the day of travel via the booking office unless a credit invoice arrangement has been agreed in writing at least 14 days in advance.
8.1. Invoices inclusive of catering and extras where applicable, by prior agreement only.
9. Catering requirements must be finalized 10 working days before travel. The confirmation letter issued 7 working days before travel constitutes the minimum chargeable value. No refunds or credits will be issued for catering "no-shows" on the day of travel.
10. It is Your responsibility to check all correspondence carefully and to make sure that we have interpreted Your requirements correctly. Any errors should be notified to us immediately in writing and in any event at least 10 working days before the date of travel.
11. Your party should arrive at the departure station at least 20 minutes prior to departure of the train. Our trains run to a strict timetable and if Your party is late the train will not be held. If You miss the booked train, your party may travel on a later train that day subject to space being available. Any extras which have been booked may not be available on the later train but will still be chargeable. If Your group is unable to travel no compensation or, if pre-paid, refund shall be payable.
12. Date Changes: Requests to change the date of travel must be made in writing at least 10 working days prior and are subject to availability. Number Changes: While we will try to accommodate increases in numbers up to the day of travel, any decrease in numbers must be notified at least 7 working days prior to avoid being charged at the original booking rate.
13. If Your booking is pre-paid and if for any reason You or members of your party do not travel, no refunds will be made.
14. We welcome all visitors; however, as we operate heritage carriages, some have doorway width and internal space constraints. Please notify us of any special assistance or wheelchair space requirements at the time of booking so we can ensure suitable accommodation is available.
15. The Railway carries full Public Liability Insurance. Details are available on request.
16. The Railway accepts no liability for any loss, damage or inconvenience arising from or resulting from the cancellation, failure, or suspension of any of our services. If for reasons beyond our control, the service You have booked on does not operate our liability to You is limited to a refund of the price You have paid.
17. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions shall exclude the Railway’s liability for death or personal injury because of negligence.
18. If You wish to cancel a confirmed booking You may do so by notifying the Railway in writing preferably no fewer than 10 working days before the date of travel.
Timeline | Action Required |
10 Working Days | Deadline for catering changes and date-change requests. |
7 Working Days | Deadline for final passenger numbers (the "Chargeable Number"). |
20 Minutes Prior | Arrival at the departure station. |