GCR Winter Gala - 24-26 Jan 2020

Could anyone say what the state of the field car park at Quorn is like please, assuming it is in use? Tractors and Land Rovers only?

 

Ah right i wasent aware of that that the points are motor operated thanks for letting us know that pmh_74 and also a first for a long time on the G.C.R. double headed halls on the 10am dep loughborough to rothley many thanks yet again for the G.C.R. putting on a good winter gala
Davo 56F

 

My latest footage, enjoy

 

that is brilliant video

 

Thanks Anthony, Im glad you enjoyed the footage? Feel free to check out my other videos on my YouTube Channel? Kind Regards, Andrew

 

Very moist and quite muddy by the fence, not sure about the rest of the field. I had to give one chap a push when he got stuck.

 

I made my first visit to the line yesterday and I was very impressed. It really had the feel of a main line railway and I loved that the freight was running frequently and not just as an afterthought like at other railways. The highlight for me was the shunting activity in Quorn yard on Friday morning.

 

Only 2 hours late. Stuck in between Quorn and Swithland. No idea why. Lots of unhappy people

 

Youths throwing "metal fence pieces* at Loughborough plus a points failure

 

Thanks, found out for ourselves in the end, just as we were driving in someone was being towed out, we beat a hasty retreat before we befell the same fate!

The GCR is one of the only places where I can really just not worry about riding on the trains and set up camp at a station and watch it all go by, the double track really comes into its own. So despite the grey weather, some photos:

 

Thought that yesterdays Gala was the busiest in terms of passengers that I had ever been to, and the loadings on the Autocar were "interesting" to say the least!
The autocar had to be the highlight as far as I was concerned, though I think being on a train that eventually arrived back at Loughborough 2.5 hours after booked arrival set a new record on a preserved line for me. Rather glad I didn't go for the last run of the day behind the K1 as originally planned..........

 

One taken from the Autocar..........

 

Does anyone know how long is the K1 staying at the GCR for please?

 

No 4953 today. Lovely start to the day apart from that, K1 in the sunshine at Woodthorpe looked and sounded lovely. Sat in a lovely suburban MK1 now (compartment all to myself, knew Sunday was a good idea) for a trip behind 45305 (which has left Loughborough a minute early).
Also of note 46521 has been turned to face south.

 

From what I can tell Witherslack is doing Pitchford's turns and the Ivatt 2 is doing Witherslack's turns.

Sent from my SM-J610FN using Tapatalk

 

Footage from yesterday. Still a good day despite there being no TPOs!

 

I decided early on that it was a day for riding rather than photographing, so managed a trip behind all 10 locos plus ending the day in the Autocar, which I agree was the highlight for me too. Fortunately I bailed out when things were only 30 minutes down, so my delayed late arrival record went unchallenged...

 

Im glad i went on fridays G.C.R. gala day before going on the R.T.C. on saturday i was going to try come to loughborough for today if i had then i would have missed riding behind 4953, but like reformed sniper said any new enthusiasts coming to the G.C.R. galas looking for something different on a preserved heritage line and running days it does give the good expirience of mainline running steam passenger services and a chance to see tin cans on freight been hauled by steam which few other preservation railways dont offer only loose coupled or fitted freight demonstration trains hauling vans flat wagons and maybe milk or oil tankers, and on double track running on part of the G.C. london extension.

 

My footage for the gala during the Saturday! Unfortunately didn't capture any shots of the Autocar - fingers crossed it stays on the line for a season!! Thanks and enjoy!

 

Gala was fantastic....unfortunately the ending ruined it slightly. Left behind 4953 on the 16:00 departure from Loughborough which when we finally got underway was 16:51. Departed Leicester North at 17:37 (over 50 minutes late) then stopped at Rothley for an hour when we were told the line is blocked of other trains stuck at red signals.

We were finally given the right away from Rothley before spending another eternity at Swithland Sidings at another signal. Before getting back at Loughborough at 19:27. Two hours and 12 minutes adrift.

My mates who went on the K1 for the 16:45 turned into a 19:20 departure which was top and tailed with 48305 to reduce run round times at Leicester North and it was reported it finally got back to Loughborough at 20:28. So a very long day. But an enjoyable one nonetheless and yes I have also heard of reports that 4953 "Pitchford Hall" has failed this morning.