Great Central Railway, Autumn Steam Gala - 3rd-6th October 2024

Visiting locos
- 7828 "Odney Manor" (from West Somerset Railway)
- D8001 (from Epping Ongar Railway)
- M79900 "Iris" (from Ecclesbourne Valley Railway)

Home fleet
- 6990 "Witherslack Hall"
- 78018
- 78019
- 73156
- 48305

Link: https://tickets.gcrailway.co.uk/events/85963

 

7828 announced via the latest Railway update via YT and a RailAdvent article.

 

https://tickets.gcrailway.co.uk/events/85963

Anyone able to identify the second loco? All I've got is that it is green.

EDIT: after some google image searching Foremark Hall?
EDIT2: Linked to the correct page for Foremark Hall

 

45596 perhaps?

Although are the BLS not keen on low loader moves?

Seems to be floating round the Midlands, Peak Rail, the the SVR, Tyseley, Nene Valley......

 

If it is 7903, I won't update the top post till its officially announced I've updated it with the link for the tickets and added D8001 and "Iris" to the visiting loco list.

 

Bahamas will be at KWVR gala that weekend

 

I've double-checked, it is definitely 7903 Foremarke Hall.
Well would you believe it? Two autumn steam galas with two visiting steam engines that are BOTH Great Western.

 

If it is Foremark Hall that would seen an odd choice given that Witherslack Hall is already running. Do we need two Modified Halls a the same gala? I know there are two Standard 2s but they are both from the home fleet which is a bit different.

 

Didn't really stop 73082 joining 73156 last year or 4953 joining 6990 in 2020. If it is 7903 its a rare trip away from GWSR

 

Another example being 92134 and 92214 in 2021. 7903 would be nice to see, a rare visit away from GWSR as has already been said.

 

I can't think of the last time it left to visit another railway. Preserved British Steam says Llangollen in 2005 but also lists an Old Oak Common open day in 2017.

 

Severn Valley Railway in 2005
Didcot Railway Centre in 2019 too

 

I take it then that it's not likely to be my first thought last night of a much, much newer GWR 4-6-0?

 

It's rostered to run at North Norfolks gala the same weekend

 

Well even if it officially is 7903 according to the GMs update it has failed and they are now hunting for a replacement second guest https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=5hUm...WoGNZYEp-mk48A&v=BWhv_Ml7mb4&feature=youtu.be

Link was slapped in a Facebook group so is available in the public domain

 

7828 will now be the only visiting steam locomotive for the gala. As confirmed by the railway on the Facebook page and the webpage

 

Well there is also a rather large apple green loco still at the GCR which is there for testing. Perhaps it may yet stay for the Gala?

 

Its Supposed to leave the railway later this week sadly

 

Suprised 2999 couldn't divert to Loughborough between Bridgnorth and Didcot. Would have been nice to see it stretch it's legs on a mainline.

 

Would they want her back so soon? She was at last years Autumn Gala. Nothing against 2999 but would the cost of getting her there and hiring her be fruitful to the railway when she was there 12 months ago?