GCR Winter Gala. 27-29 January 2023

I'm actually not complaining about it.
I'll admit the two 5's thing isn't really that special anymore but the 1st visit of a Urie sounds good.

 

My case, not at all.

 

Wasn't saying it as a bad thing. I rather have a Bulleid over nothing by any means. Despite how much I like a Bulleid Pacific . But if it was with something a bit rarer such as a sole survivor or one with very few of its types they are always the winner for me when it comes to a line up.

But each to their own.

 

For an adult at least it only went up by like £2-£3. That's pretty much nothing as far as I'm concerned for a day out. The gala line up always influences whether I attend or not. As for the price of getting there. I always try and pre-book tickets in advance but if I can't afford anything I go without. Same for shopping basically. But in my eyes I have had to plan my trips methodically. So for this case I decided to book a Travelodge and multi-day it. (Also an extra £60 in the GCR till). This is only the second time I multi-dayed a GCR gala. Of course there are people who would plan/work out their methods differently and our influences differ.

£30-£45 is pretty much standard prices for galas nowadays. Certainly don't mind paying it if it helps the upkeep of heritage lines/have a fantastic day out. It has been a talking topic amongst people here on NatPres on a different thread.

Whatever works for one may not work for another etc etc.

 

Looking like no rail strikes for the gala weekend so can get my tickets bought shortly

 

When do the passenger timetables usually become available?

P.S. I'm making the journey from North Wales precisely because there will be 2 standard 5s. Fantastic!

 

That and two Standard 2s as well - I'll be there

Peter

 

Can’t tell you when exactly, but the crew rosters came out recently so I’d expect them on the website very shortly.

 

Having been unable to attend the Autumn Gala last year due to engineering works on the Brighton Line and the Last Hurrah Gala due to the high cost of a train ticket getting me from Haywards Heath to Loughborough Main (I did leave it a bit late to book and get a cheaper fare though), I've finally managed to book up a ticket for the Saturday and get a ticket to get me to Loughborough Main at a much more reasonable price.

Having not been since 1994 as a 2/3 year old, it'll mainly be the home fleet that takes priority for me, but I'm looking forward to finally being able to visit the line again (and be old enough to have more memories of it!

 

Ah, good. While having the timetable available in advance is nice, knowing when the first train is for me more important at the moment.

 

Always been 09:00 for Winter and Autumn Galas

 

Believe Ben is right with 09:00 - our roster doesn't differentiate between L/E, Freight, Passenger etc as it only gives time of working, so not sure myself when first public train will be. According to the social media channels the timetables should be online today.

And for those that like knowing loco facings:
- the 8F and 9F both face north (Loughborough)
- rest of the home fleet face south (Leicester)
- both visiting engines are expected to face south also

The event page also mentions that 34039 "Boscastle" will be on static display at Quorn & Woodhouse.

And it'll be a very monochromatic steam line up as the shed team are wasting no time following the purchase of 92214...

 

Timetables now available:
https://www.gcrailway.co.uk/wp-cont...-27th-January-2023-Passenger-timetable-V1.pdf
https://www.gcrailway.co.uk/wp-cont...-28th-January-2023-Passenger-timetable-V1.pdf
https://www.gcrailway.co.uk/wp-cont...-29th-January-2023-Passenger-timetable-V1.pdf

 

What is the situation with the turntable at Quorn? Is it still in use?

 

Doesn't tend to be used at Galas, but still very much used.

 

Pity the two do not seem to be double heading for this up coming gala. I was rather hoping that they would.

Peter

 

Yeah. I was a little disappointed by that but still looks like a cracking gala.

 

I think I've seen somewhere that 34039 Boscastle will be in the yard at Quorn for the gala? Is 7027 still on the railway and viewable?

 

Interesting to note in the latest GCR RailMail e-newsletter that the costs of transporting the 2 guest locos for the event is "approaching £25,000"............

 

So around about 750 Saturday or Sunday rovers need to be sold just to cover the cost. What is the usual ticket sales number at the Winter Gala anybody know?
Does sort of put the costs of these event in perspective.