Home | NNR | SVR | GCR | NYMR | Day Return | About me | Links | Contact me

2004
GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY

24–25th July  Summer Gala

You could be forgiven that I have got the Winter and Summer Gala pictures mixed up on this page! But the sunshine was intermittent at best, but rain on sunday ment that we did pick the best day to visit the GCR's Blue Riband event. The highlight of this year's Gala was undoubtedly 70013 Oliver Cromwell (which we seem (and it's no coincidence!), to be following round the country at the minute). The loco was "propelled" to Quorn by the Loughborough Standard Locomotives Group's newly restored, BR Class 2, 78019. This group (along with the 5305 Locomotive Association) will be carrying out the restoration of 70013 when work begins at the and of August, and if all goes to plan, should be completed by the end of 2007. Can't wait! This was the first time that we had visited the GCR and had ventured away from the stations and out into the Leicestershire countryside. Armed with an OS map, we must of walked miles! We got some pleasing shots at one or two of the railway's numerous over bridges, but have come to the conclusion that the best way to photograph the GCR is trackside, so will have to look closely at trackside passes for future events. Missing from the Gala this time was the TPO (Traveling Post Office) trains. The set has been taken out of service for essential maintenance, and should return in 2005, I couldn't help but feel the weekend was lacking something without these "awe inspiring" trains. The event featured four steam locos; LNER O4 63601, LMS Black 5 45305, 8F 48305 (masquerading as 48182), GWR Large Prairie 4141. 70013 Oliver Cromwell, and 78019, where on display at Quorn and Loughborough respectively. The railway's newly acquired Class 101, also featured on passenger turns.

 
       
Oliver Cromwell propelled to Quorn, GCR
70013 Oliver Cromwell at Quorn
Class 2 78019 at Quorn
Oliver Cromwell at Quorn

Locos: 70013 Oliver Cromwell, 78019
Location: Approaching Quorn

Loco: 70013 Oliver Cromwell
Location: Quorn

Loco: 78019
Location: Quorn

Locos: 70013 Oliver Cromwell, 78019
Location: Quorn

D2040724-011.tif

D2040724-017.tif

D2040724-023.tif

D2040724-025.tif

8F 48182 at Kinchley Lane curve
O4 63601 goods train
Black 5 45305 Kinchley Lane
8F 48182 goods train Quorn

Loco: 48182
Location: Kinchley Lane curve

Loco: 63601
Location: Kinchley Lane curve

Loco: 45305
Location: Kinchley Lane curve

Loco: 48182
Location: Quorn

D2040724-034.tif

D2040724-035.tif

D2040724-040.tif

D2040724-051.tif

Gresley Buffet car, GCR
8F 48182
8F 48182
DMU at Loughborough station
Subject: E9124E
Location: Quorn
Loco: 48182
Location: Loughborough
Loco: 48182
Location: Loughborough
Loco: Class 101
Location: Loughborough
D2040724-053.tif D2040724-062.tif D2040724-063.tif D2040724-068.tif

24–25th January  Winter Gala

Keeping my promise to visit the GC 'more often' than in the previous few years, so hear is your first helping of 'Britain's only double track main line heritage railway'. I was looking forward to seeing two loco's at the event. The M&GN Society's J15 65462 (on the first leg of its 'UK tour', 65462 will return to the NNR in early summer, after the building work has been completed at Weybourne). The other loco was the Thompson B1 Locomotive Trust's B1, 61264, of which I have fond memories when it paid a visit to the NNR back in 2002. It looked touch-and-go whether the visit would be on at all, with persistent rain all week. But bright winter sunshine was forecast for the weekend and I chose Saturday for my first taste of the railway's now well established Winter Gala. This years event had a 'Mail by Rail' theme to mark the end of TPO (Traveling Post Office) trains on the national network. The TPO trains are now an integral part of a Gala weekend at the GCR, and always a big crowd puller at Quorn where the mail drops/pick ups are made. Both 61264 and 45305 did themselves proud on there respective runs. The event featured five steam locos; LNER B1 61264, O4 63601, J15 65462, LMS Black 5 45305, GWR Large Prairie 4141, and two diesels; Class 45 D123 Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry, Class 20 D8098.

 
       

B1 Sunrise

J15 on shed

Class 20 D8098, light engine

B1 with "The South Yorkshireman"

Loco: 61264
Location: Loughborough
Loco: 65462
Location: Loughborough
Loco: D8098
Location: Quorn
Loco: 61264
Location: Quorn
D2040124-003.tif D2040124-004.tif D2040124-010.tif D2040124-011.tif
B1 61264 at Quorn
B1 61264
B1 61264 leaves Quorn
J15 with a local at Quorn

Loco: 61264
Location: Quorn

Loco: 61264
Location: Quorn
Loco: 61264
Location: Quorn

Loco: 65462
Location: Quorn

D2040124-014.tif D2040124-015.tif D2040124-016.tif D2040124-018.tif
J15 65462
O4 with a goods train
Black 5 45305 enters Quorn
Black 5 45305 with "The Thames-Clyde Express "
Loco: 65462
Location: Quorn
Loco: 63601
Location: Quorn
Loco: 45305
Location: Quorn
Loco: 45305
Location: Quorn
D2040124-020.tif D2040124-023.tif D2040124-030.tif D2040124-032.tif
D123 Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry
O4 63601 enters Quorn
J15 65462 with a goods train at Rothely
J15 65462 at Loughborogh
Loco: D123 Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry
Location: Quorn
Loco: 63601
Location: Quorn
Loco: 65462
Location: Rothely
Loco: 65462
Location: Loughborough
D2040124-034.tif D2040124-035.tif D2040124-037.tif D2040124-038.tif