GCR Last Hurrah 19th & 20th November 2023

I have just seen on GCR website that they are offering reduced fares if you book before 17th October
In a normal world I would buy a ticket straight away, but due to rail strikes whats the point as more than likely there will be a strike announcement for that Saturday and as I am totally reliant on rail travel to get there I cannot book early. I have for all galas visited this year waited till 14 days before the event to book as Strike action had to be announced 14 days prior.
So GCR I feel you are being a bit unfair with that offer,
14 days before the last hurrah I will still be getting my tickets but at higher prices sadly

 

I understand what your are saying. I am also heavily reliant on rail travel as I have little faith (and finances) in myself to learn, start and keep driving.

I suppose the offer involved will be gratefully appreciated for those who can easily get there by car or other rail links. But as train strikes are an uncertainty *though I totally 100% support the workers/unions reasonings on the matter* I also have to refuse to prebook till the situation becomes clearer. I suppose there is always the refund option if needed but I can't say goodbye to £22 for nothing to show for it. (Just another legacy for 2022 Cost of Living Crisis)

Not sure why the early bird discount could've been extended to two weeks prior though.

 

Add me to rail only travel (COVID messed up my hopes of passing my test and haven't got round to booking tests up again yet) so I too will have to keep an eye on any potential Strike Action (engineering works put paid to my intended visit to the Autumn Gala).

 

Following on from the Autumn Gala, the Windcutter rake is due to feature heavily in the "Last Hurrah Gala". We plan to be running the "Lengthy train" as suggested by Steam Railway magazine back in 1992. It should be around 26 wagons in length (sadly not quite the 30@30 we had hoped, but they are needing more and more work to get back into running order).

 

Timetables are now available for both days. https://www.gcrailway.co.uk/special-events/last-hurrah-of-the-season/

 

It is good to see that a variety of locomotives are due to haul our "Lengthy Train" of mineral wagons. The 9F,8F, Std 5 and Std 2 will be nicely authentic motive power for the sight and sound of a 25+ wagon block goods train.

 

Any info on the direction the locomotives are facing?

 

With no trains strikes currently that weekend and no engineering works by the look of it (though I keep looking in case there's any last minute changes), I should be able to attend having missed out on the Autumn Gala.

 

All currently facing south - chimney facing Leicester

 

Class 33 D6535 is due to be the diesel out instead of D123

 

There were some operational issues at Loughborough yesterday afternoon which led to some heavy delays and the cancellation of the 14.45 ex Loughborough C and the return 15.30 from Leicester N. This situation also resulted in a few minor loco and stock allocation changes as the day progressed and inevitably the timetable wasn't really able to recover much. Having said that it was an enjoyable day overall and it was good to see so many people around travelling or just taking in the atmosphere of the GCR on a fairly dull November's day.

 

Yes, it was great to see the event so busy yesterday. Almost every seating bay taken on a lot of the trains, and a few almost standing room only! The railcar seemed full to capacity every time I passed it.
Shame about the timetable slippage, but it's something I've come to expect from pretty much any gala these days.
Frustratingly, my work decided to call me about an issue just as the 9F with the Windcutters was rolling through Rothley, apologies if my tech explanations made it onto anyone's video!

One thing I think the event does demonstrate is that there is definitely demand out there for non-Santa, non-Illumination events at what would generally otherwise be a 'dead' time of year.

A few from the day:

 

A quiteish day on Saturday,very similar to last years Last Hurrah event .Two or three hours of warmish sunshine.One such was when the late running 13.15 non stopper left behind newly overhauld 78019 piloting 78018.78019 has a exhaust sounding like a double chimney (and or Kychap ) loco.Altered ,I think a few years ago. Athough shadows were geting very long when the train left ,I particaly went for a photo of this combination as 78020 and 78021 were sent new from Darlington to Kettering.My note book records 78020 arrived on Monday 20/May /1954,my father a driver' ,meet me out of school and took me in the shed to see it.78021 arrived on Weds 10/May 1954,I was, as usual on non school days, out spotting on that day.78022 is of course preserved on the KWVR.
Please find attached two photo 's .One is of the 78s ,the other is of 48305 with 16 toners.Another local engine for me ,it spent years at Wellingboro and loaned to Kettering several times.

 

A few from yesterday:

 

Thanks for some great pictures Kieran. Obviously my favourite was the 9F with the Windcutters!