GCR Winter Steam Gala | 23rd-26th January 2025

still no information if a shuttle bus service running with 10 days to go

 

Now on the webpage. Fri and Sat only

 

Thanks

 

The Boscastle Shed Tours will be available on the Sat and Sunday, 10.30am to 3.30pm. Just walk up to the Locomotive shed and there are regular guided tours. They are free but a donation towards the overhaul of 34039 is appreciated.

 

How do you get to the shed from the Station?

 

2 minutes walk off the north end of the platform at Loughborough.

 

Thank you Sir .

 

Just an update today from the GCR Shed Works FB page (always an excellent page to follow)...

"It’s starting to look like a gala!
GWR 6695 had a steam test and fetched 3850 as well as being turned north
GWR 6880 has arrived and is being made ready for a steam test tomorrow ready for photo charters at the start of next week, pre gala where it will be turned south for the gala.
GWR 3850 has also arrived and will be on steam test next week.
Austerity 68067 has also arrived and will be having a steam test over the weekend.
This means all engines are now here for the gala.
73156, 68067 and 6695 will all be facing north for the gala.
6880, 6990, 3850, 78019 and 78018 will all be facing south"

We really appreciate the GCR Shed Team giving us these updates.
For those on FB, the page is here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064482588405

 

Weather forecast doesn't look too inspiring for Friday or to a lesser extent on the Thursday............

 

A minor point, but January is shown as Janaury within the Timetable for the event!

 

I've noticed that the stock allocations on the return from Leicester North are wrong from 14.30 onwards - the 14.30 and 16.10 should be set B, and the 15.15 and 16.50 should be set A.

 

Can anyone confirm whether there is any freight running on Thursday?

 

No, only Friday to Sunday. Same format like the Autumn Steam Galas (always no freight workings on Thursdays)

 

The 2857 society will have a sales stand at Quorn on all four days of the gala. Please do pop in and say hello if you’re attending the event.

 

From the GCR shed works page on Facebook- 78018 is also due to be out and about tomorrow presumably shunting ready for Friday.

6880 is now facing south following its charter today.

To recap

SOUTH FACING LOCOS (chimney to Leicester): 6990, 6880, 78018, 78019 and 3850

NORTH FACING LOCOS (chimney to Loughborough/Nottingham):
73156, 68067 and 6695

 

i went Thursday for a enjoyable day out, weather a tad wet and grey in the morning but sun did come out about 2pm for a while
All 3 GWR locos ran to schedule, though i wish that Christmas tree in the middle of Leicester station can be moved, maybe the wind today may do something about it LOL!
Photos are in the usual place, link in 'Photography section'
Hopefully rail travel to Loughborough ok as i am going again on Saturday

 

78018 has failed and now pulled from the rest gala

 

Can anyone confirm if the £5 parking at Loughborough is cash or card please?

 

Thanks for letting us know, I'm there tomorrow .

 

WTT-Web-Sat-V3.pdf