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

British Railways

 

VCT has this to say:

P 1978 by RVP member, stored at Hertford till 1979: NVR till 1982, then Great Central. Ex-BR condition, unrestored. Windows boarded. By 09/15 at East Somerset Railway. By 04/17: restoration work now under way by Cranmore Traincare and Maintenance Services. 04/19: to Great Central Railway on completion of restoration work: there it will be paired with 53100 (qv) in use on Mountsorrel branch line.

And a very nice job they've done too, they looked splendid on Sunday when I visited, as did the CCT in the other short set, superb! The van train was also very impressive. Tempted to come back in March for the railways at work event to see all their other goods trains in action.

 

Cheers Alex

 

Ah, hadn't thought of that option.

 

If you can get a clear window on one of the trains that does that, and there is sufficient space between you and the next person trying to do the same (the DMU is best) it's actually quite a good option.
You can also get photos from doing the same in the up loop as well......

 

Congratulations to the GCR for their superb steam gala. Although held in January I'm sure it will eventually be classed as the gala of the year.

I and many others thoroughly enjoyed it and have nothing but praise for the complex and busy schedule that ran like clockwork. It was well worth the 280 mile round trip.

May I ask if the crews of 257 Squadron were from the GCR, the Swanage Railway or a combination of both? <BJ>

 

The above mentioned branches ,78018 passing Sunday afternoon,photo attached.

 

Free2grice
257 Squadron had footplate crews from the GCR, with a Swanage "observer" I believe.

 

My Swithland shot was indeed taken from the dmu on Saturday (the shadow gives it away). Having studied the timetable and worked out what was due to happen, I claimed a right hand side window before leaving Rothley!

 

I managed to do the same on the Sunday for one of the runs on the DMU having done this at previous gala's. Was quite surprised though how many people didn't do the same, but it does help with the DMU's been 3 car sets now.

 

Very much an enjoyable event.
Shame I didn't want to attend, but watching the highlights on YouTube was very enjoyable.
Had a hunch that 257 Squadron and 73156 would double head.

 

You didn't want to? Your loss my friend. <BJ>

 

Indeed! What I love about a GCR gala is I never feel like I have to plan what I'm going to do. I can turn up, mooch about, watch trains, then decide to catch the next one in a certain, or any, direction, safe in the knowledge that there will always be one soon. It's so much more relaxing than, say, a WSR event where, through no fault of their own, you really have to think about what you want to do where and when (not that I don't enjoy that too!)

 

Indeed it was, more to do with my trust in Network Rail and parents telling what I can and can't do, but yes, it was a pity.

Never mind, when I grow a spine, I will be attending next years winter event.

I got a funny feeling the autumn gala this year will be home fleet since they are going to have:
6990, 46521, 48305, 70013, 73156, 78018, 78019 and 92214.

 

70013 - I say more next year
78019 - More likelier, but it be ready when its ready.
46521 - dependent whether it will make that time without little fault - boiler ticket ends October

 

My photos from Sunday, all at Kinchley Lane I'm afraid.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/alanh_1953/albums/72177720296417590

 

Excellent weekend at the railway, much better weather than I expected. Very nice fish and chips on the train on Saturday night, can definitely recommend.

Saturday:










Sunday:

 

Some very nice and unusual compositions there Dlt.....

 

From the pictures/videos posted, I assume that "257" did not pull the "Windcutter" rake during the Gala?

 

Nope. Just the vans