Great War Great Central - 10/11 November 2018

Just noticed this event on the GCR Website..........
http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/special-events/remembrance/
They normally hold a Remembrance event in November, but this years one seems to have been upgraded to something that looks rather interesting for the Centenary of the Armistice.
GCR O4 2-8-0 in ROD livery and the launch of the RVP restored WW2 Ambulance coach, not to mention a WW1 tank on a Warflat!

 

Great to see the Robinson 04 63601 is going to get an overhaul and I have yet to see it running.

 

The Quorn Wagon Group have repainted a Caledonian Railway Weltrol for this event, as shown in their latest wagon restoration report.....
https://quornwagonandwagon.wordpress.com/news-and-updates/

 

I think it will only be a repaint and static display for this event, however I'm sure you're not alone in wishing that it returns to steam at some point!

 

The overhaul starts at the end of the year from what I have heard. Sponsored by Michael Gregory.

 

Some photos of the Ambulance Coach being painted have appeared on the RVP Farcebook page.....
https://www.facebook.com/RailwayVehiclePreservations/

 

Magnetic relettering/numbering for the ROD has been produced........
https://quornwagonandwagon.wordpress.com/news-and-updates/

Looks an interesting event, now that the full programme has been posted on the GCR website. Will be interesting to see what locos are rostered, as if 70013 is out, I may go to this rather than the "Last Hurrah" the following weekend.

 

Went to the event today, including the morning service on the platform at Loughborough. Thought it was really well done, thanks to the volunteers at the GCR for a fitting tribute to mark the occasion. Plenty of interest to see at Quorn, not least the O4. Got to go on the footplate, did not know that the ROD locos serving in France had rifles hanging in the cab! Was also confirmed that she is next in the overhaul queue, they said will hopefully be back in steam in 4-5 years. Good news as I missed it last time around.

 

Wonder if it is planned for the O4 to remain on display in Quorn yard for the forthcoming 'end of season' gala this coming weekend? May I suggest that it would be nice if it was?