Great Central Railway "Railways at Work" Gala March 19/20th 2022

Absolutley fantastic weekend, huge thanks to everyone involved in organising and running the event we had a great time! Spent Saturday at Quorn watching all the demonstrations before settling down for a couple of round trips in the late afternoon into the evening. Sunday was split between Kinchley Lane, Woodthorpe and Rothley. Combination video below, photos to follow...

 

The majority of the freight stock seen is privately owned, apart from consumables, such as vacuum hoses and brake system seals, are privately funded. The Windcutter group receives ring fenced donations from individuals who specifically state for the restoration of Mineral Wagons plus those accrued from the above mentioned sales stand. (Confirm or deny if you could @Flying Phil)

I’m afraid there are no funds to divert. The individuals restoring them are also separate from the GC carriage and wagon department who put extraordinary effort into the coaches. Certainly the Maroon rake and Dining train looks superb as the most resent passenger stock to leave Rothley.

 

My footage from yesterdays enjoyable event from the lineside. All passenger and goods workings featured




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Perhaps you should go to Specsavers. The GCR coaches are in very good condition, especially compared to most other railways and the guys in the carriage and wagon department are one of the best in the business!

 

I suppose there are standards and standards..........

 

I must say that I was surprised to read Simon's comment about the GCR 's coaches. Looking at those posted videos shows them to be in rather good condition I think. I also think the GCR Carriage and Wagon shop do a great job, they maintain a running fleet of 4 rakes, so have 25 vehicles actually in service. Obviously, on some railways with far fewer coaches and no running for many days, the carriages may initially look pristine.
I can also confirm Mattie Bee's comments about funding constraints.
Re the videos - Quorn station looked to be a great location with the Std 2 shunting in the yard and a train arriving and another departing....fantastic sight. I was also pleased to see that there appeared to be no steaming issues.

 

I was there the whole weekend, the first preserved railway event I've booked on since Covid. It was beyond excellent, the best Gala event I've ever been to, out of many.
The freight loading set-pieces were first class and it was great to see appropriately clad "staff", "police", "officials" etc. going about their duties on all the platforms and the very busy yard at Quorn. Not to mention the "mechanical horses", vintage cars and lorries and the Leicester double decker, the Midland Red single decker and the unrivalled collection of freight stock.
Managed to fit in walks around Loughborough, plenty if interest if you research it first, including a too brief visit to the fascinating and unique Bell Foundry museum before getting my trains home.
Many thanks and congratulations to everyone involved.

 

Just got round to uploading my photos from last weekend, really superb event, huge thanks to all involved in organising.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/albums/72177720297615571

 

I've never seen that has bridge angle before!

 

Which bridge is that!?

 

I meant to add the water or gas one . https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/51959450042/in/album-72177720297615571/

 

Ahh yes, it’s an odd one, not sure on its history someone more local will I’m sure. With the temporary speed restriction just round the corner at Swithland north bound trains are working until Kinchley Lane so thought it was worth a go despite looking into the sun!

 

I realised the reason I'm not familiar with it is the lack of north facing locomotives and the iconic vista at Kinchley Lane.

 

I believe it connects Swithland and Cropston reservoirs.


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