GCR Winter Gala - 25 to 27 January 2019

Todays WTT for the "Last Hurrah" announced 7802 "Bradley Manor" as the guest loco for this event - Ideal for fans of the "Brown Region".
At least that gives me an excuse not to attend.............!

 

http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/special-events/winter-steam-gala/

No timetables yet.

 

Would be good to see the Mountsorrel branch and the turntable used at this event.

 

31st March is listed as the first Mountsorrel branch operation in 2019 on their recent (Heritage Centre) e-newsletter. It's hopefully going to be a steam worked operation on that date as well.

 

They say "Up to 10 locomotives in steam"......The 8F in Loughborough shed seems to just need its cab fitting - and that is nearly refurbished.

 

There's nothing to say that one of the booked engines fails between now and the gala so cannot appear. They've always got to have the 'all attractions subject to change' tag in any gala advertisement so saying 'Up to' is a more to cover the railway if they end up fielding fewer engines.

You've only got to look at the rotten luck that the North Norfolk has had with Gala visitors to see how true that is.

Very much looking forward to this gala.

 

Timetables with loco allocations now available.

http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/special-events/winter-steam-gala/

 

GCR website has also confirmed that 8F 48305 will now not be ready in time:

"We regret that due to circumstances beyond our control, 8F 48305 will not be available to appear at the event. While every effort has been made to complete the heavy overhaul in time for this event, sadly delays with a key component have prevented the work from being completed.
We apologise for any disappointment that this may cause".

Of course the other 8F will be running.

However, the J94 has been added (subject to maintenance), so they can still claim 'up to 10 engines in steam.'

 

Free Heritage Bus Service: Loughborough Midland and Loughborough Central Stations for the GCR Winter Steam Gala (Sat 26 th and Sun 27 th January 2019 only - times here http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Winter-Gala-2019-Bus-Times-PROVISIONAL.pdf

 

Sadly no night mail and only a couple of other trains after dark this year

 

Think it's fairly similar to last years timetable, still worth a look at I'd say!

 

Interesting to see that the J94 68067 doesn't appear on the published timetable, so if it is in steam then maybe it will only appear on the Freights or used for shunting?
Guess I'll have to wait for the WTT to see. This and 47406 will make a nice comparison against the big locos also in steam.
Personally not too fussed that both 8Fs won't be out. Line up looks great as it is.

 

Also good to see the DMU in service too, haven't seen the DMU buffet car yet. Will give the railway a real 1960s feel.

 

Has 68067 been in use today?

 

No i am afraid QUOTE="Sam_W, post: 2359598, member: 28261"]Has 68067 been in use today?[/QUOTE]

 

No I am not sadly