Great Central Railway General Matters

Why would you send 6024 off to railway with no mainline connection, when you have a perfectly good relationship with a railway that you share staff with and it’s northern end is is only a couple of junctions on the motorway away from your HQ in the next county?
I don’t mean to sound sarcastic but don’t forget there’s a lot of SVR staff rather familiar with 6024 from the past. Why pay for 2 low loader journeys when you can deliver it and pick it up with your own traction?

 

That would make a lot more sense to me, if you look at the SVR in the past how many of its guests have been reciprocal visitors to those that have visited other railways?
Plus it’s 2 other railways that aren’t that far away.

 

You may well be right, I just offered it as a possibility but stranger things have happened in the preservation era and sometimes wheels turn within wheels that we, as outsiders, are not aware of.

 

To be fair to @61624 the GCR does have a number of LSL fitters/staff as volunteers also, has no more TSRs on bridges so potentially the high speed testing can start again (60mph vs I think 50mph at SVR though stand to be corrected), and as discussed in other threads, moving things by rail isn't always the cheapest option. Not very likely I'll grant, but not beyond the realms of possibility.

 

There is a set of LSL air braked Mk3 stock on the SVR which was used for recent test running with both 70000 and 61306.

 

OH! Don't make me choose between GC and MHR, both have GWR engines I like!

 

No need to choose - go to both

 

That reminds me of that old Chinese proverb; “May all your problems be first world.”

 

Won't be attending now! I got a Terrier, LNWR Coal and 5205 tank to ride!
[https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/mhr-autumn-steam-gala-6th-8th-october-2023.1422734/]

 

Let's hope that all goes to plan at the Mid-Hants. Otherwise they'll never hear the end of it . <BJ>

 

Why is it I get the feeling there’s a certain member on here who won’t be happy that a certain Peckett won’t be out and about…

 

There is the opportunity to see the improvements to Loughborough engine shed and see the progress on the various locomotives (6990, 70013, 34039, etc) as the Boscastle Shed Tours are taking place this coming weekend Aug 12/13. lasting approx 1/2 hour, regularly from 10.30 to 4 pm. There is No charge for these guided tours, but donations to Boscastle are appreciated.

 

There is a lot to see this weekend with the "Railways at Work" event. Seven locomotives are moving around Lbro before 9.30!
With the return to service of Witherslack Hall, 4 other steam locomotives, 3 diesels and a DMU. Four passenger rakes, two "Pick Up goods rakes and the Windcutters (16T minerals), on both days, means it is an intensive timetable ( latest version now on the GCR website). Lots of live parcels loading and unloading etc. to show how the railways served customers in the 50/60's.

 

There is a video of the GCR AGM on the website, it is accessed using the "Support us" button on the home page.

 

An excellent Gala this weekend with the three freight trains running - lots of re-enactment action at Quorn.
A different Hall also appeared....

 

It occurred to me that the GCR had three different freight trains running during the recent "Railways at Work" gala, has any other heritage railway run three or more rakes during a regular Gala.... or ever?
Of course, potentially, they could have run several more as the Van train, PW train and Tankers are also available....

 

This weekend sees the "Boscastle Shed Tours" in operation, so that our visitors can be shown inside the engine shed and have the various activities explained by the guides.

 

Some vegetation clearance going on by the P Way team.

 

Was pleased to read in the latest Main Line that some of the coaching stock is going to be painted into BR Blue/Grey colours to go with the blue diesels on the line, plus a short rake of Southern Region green coaches is also to be formed.

 

Don't forget it's the LTHT organised bus event at Quorn this Saturday.........
https://www.gcrailway.co.uk/special-events/heritage-bus-rally/

Bus services operating from Quorn via the Mountsorrel Heritage Centre for the first time this year as well, along with a quite regular Railcar service on the branch.
Seems to be even more popular than usual this year with entries for both buses and sales stands reaching full capacity.

Got a nice early start on Saturday morning assisting the owner of this vehicle to bring it up to the event.....



Then off to an event near Birmingham (Wythall) from Mountsorrel with it on the Sunday morning!