GC Last Hurrah 19th November

This looks good and I will do my usual mix of riding and photing.

Anybody know if you can still get to and park at the Woodthorpe location for pm shots?

Don

 

At the recent Gala the road to Woodthorpe was open. Beware of building works on the down side both north and south of the bridge though. Depending on what shot you want, they may impinge on the scene.

 

I last went to Woodthorpe the weekend after the gala (16th October) and the builders had put metal fencing up in the gaps in the trees on the road for the pm shots at Woodthorpe. Not impossible to still get shots but harder and less room for photographers.

 

Could some kind soul PLEASE advise which way participating locos are facing
-- (especially the 5, 78018 & 6990)
TIA
Neale

 

Yesterday they were all facing south.

 

If all goes well I'll be heading up for this and the GCRN's HST event. I haven't been to the GCR for nearly four years and my memory has a few gaps - is there somewhere you can drive/walk to that gives a view of Swithland without a lineside pass? The points on the timetable where you've got multiple trains stabled there as other services work past non-stop would be great to see.

 

Is anyone able to advise whether the stock shown as MIX on the timetable is open to passengers please?

Or is it just rakes, A,B,C and D ?

 

MIX is a mixed freight train. All passenger services are shown in Bold.

 

Cheers, thanks for the clarification here

 

Does that include 70013 ? I remember seeing a recent photograph of Ollie and thought it was facing north.
I'm driving to the gala from Bath so would really appreciate the confirmation. <BJ>

 

Yes, 70013 definitely now facing south.
According the weekly GCR email newsletter it was used for a photo charter this week and also a special charter for East Midlands Trains. That may be why it has been turned.
I hope this helps.

 

Do the GCR usually prefer locos to face South? If so why? At the Autumn Gala 9 out of 10 were facing that way (70013 was the exception)

 

I am sure I read on here years ago it is to do with the water tower at Loughborough.

It's a shame because you hardly ever get that passing shot of both locos running forwards which just doesn't do it justice.

 

There nothing wrong with a locomotive going backwards and there were built to able to go backwards. A locomotive can as well going backwards than forwards. There is no reason stopping them from going backwards. Going backwards does not look ugly and it is not always about looking beautiful.

 

I was getting more at the photos obtained not the physics of it.

I'm sure Brits didn't run tender first on crack express trains passing Mod Halls going forwards back in the day.

 

Footage from aboard the footplate of 70013 'Oliver Cromwell' at yesterday's gala.

 

hello
some photos form near perfect conditions on saturday at www.stevebottrill.zenfolio.com or www.flickr.com/photos/15931796@N00/
regards

 

Nice selection. Could have done with sone of those conditions on Sunday. It were a bit grim.

 

Nothing to do with water. I believe it's mainly because coaling is more difficult at Loughborough with the engine facing north (basically you pretty much lose a space for a dead engine on the shed front).