GCR Winter Steam Gala- 28th-30th January 2022

Well, well, well.... Must be pyschic.
Great Central actually asked me how I knew it was going to be 257 Squadron, it's simple really.

1. 78018 was on-loan last year for them.
2. It's a Southern engine that would be around when the 4 Tanks arrived.
3. It was the only Bullied Pacific working at the time of 78018's visit (34028 was working but needed it's front bogie replaced).

Originally was going to go, then wasn't because how much a pain in the brakevan Britain's rail system is NOW I'm so tempted.
Never thought you'd hear THAT from a Westerner!

 

Not sure point 3 bares scrutiny.
78018 worked its first Swanage service May 25 having arrived May 5 and left Sept 21
34072 was moved to Corfe April 23 and then to Herston Works April 26 and back Nov 30.

So they were never on the railway together. 78018 did work a lot of the summer with 34028 on the 2 train service.

 

GCR reached out and asked how you knew ?

 

Yeah, my bad, got a bit mixed up.

 

OK, let me explain.
I have been Facebook messenger them about the Winter Gala line-up for a while because I just wanted to know what in the name of Swindon was going on.
The day before the announcement, I posted a picture of 257 Squadron on here and sent them the picture as well to find something out.
The day they announced they wanted to know how I knew it was 257 Squadron, hence the situation we are in now.

 

So based on this, you feel you're entitled to information before everyone else then?

And, although I'm not involved in the social media side of any heritage railway, I imagine it's probably REALLY annoying for them to receive messages demanding answers to something that was presumably awaiting contracts to be signed. Just be patient. Please.

James

 

Whoever has to monitor their Facebook page has my sympathies...

 

I imagine it is annoying.
Then again, so is clearly childish whinging coming for some people over others who have hardly said anything wrong.
Sound familiar?

 

Perhaps it's time to take a big breath and calm. This and other similar gala conversations are annoyingly going around in a circle.
With the virus situation at present I'm very grateful that preserved railways are planning galas at all. I wish them well. <BJ>

 

I do too, I just can't help worrying.

 

Am really looking forward to being able to return to visit this great gala. Fingers crossed there will be no late drama's that put it at risk. I have already dug out my thermals and Arctic parka.

 

keeping fingers crossed i have booked both events this January

 

Website updated yesterday - 68067 (the Austerity Saddle Tank) no longer on the line up presumable due to overrunning winter maintenance. Last time I saw images on Facebook it's up on the jacks without its wheels

 

https://www.gcrailway.co.uk/winter-steam-gala/

Gala timetables now available to download from the page

 

Hello, can somebody tell me which way round all of the loco's are facing please. Many thanks and best regards.

 

usually leading boiler first out of Loughborough

 

When I was last at the GCR before Christmas, all locos bar 48305, 46521 and 78018 were facing Leicester from Loughborough.

From the photos I've seen, 80080 and 34072 have both been off-loaded facing Leicester also.

 

To confirm everything except 48305, 78018 and 46521 face south (towards Leicester)

 

Many thanks for your prompt reply, really appreciated.

 

Many thanks for your prompt reply, really appreciated.