Great Central Railway General Matters

September update on YT.........

 

Encompasses many things I do not like about websites.
Took me ages to find the events calendar as the tab only turns red when the mouse moves over it visited the page about 3 times before I stumbled on it. Otherwise it just blends into the page.
Using search for events, which seemed logical was met with "Sorry nothing to see here". Now I would never book and advance rail ticket, but I know many do and not much help when 8 weeks out there is no info.
To much web design and not enough detail for me.

 

Posted it in the Gala thread yesterday but thought I'd post it here as well for those who can't attend the Autumn Gala.

On October 11/12 the GCR is running a Bahamas Farewell Weekend, which sees 45596 Bahamas making it's final runs before overhaul, alongside fellow Gala visitor, Stanier Mogul 13268 before it heads to the ELR for their Gala and Std 5 73156 from the home fleet.

On the Saturday 45596 and 13268 will run a double headed round trip leaving Loughborough at 4:15pm and on the Sunday it will haul the 5:15pm Loughborough departure, which will be it's last run and returns non stop to Loughborough.

 

Great day at the GCR yesterday, having my first runs behind 45596 and the Mogul (which feels strange seeing a Stanier loco without a Hooter whistle) and a brief trip behind 73156. On Bahamas first two runs ahead carried a headboard (The Irish Mail on the first and The Thames - Clyde Express on the second)

Hopefully it won't be too long before we see Bahamas running again.

 

Friday was a BLS members day to mark Bahamas going out of service, a very pleasant time and the first time I've ever travelled on the footplate of the Coal Tank, what a machine that is. This is the first trip of the day leaving Loughborough

 

I assume the Coal Tank was in the shed at Loughborough yesterday, as it didn't seem to be in the yard (neither did the Austerity). I see the Coal Tank is due to run at the GCR next weekend.

I was hoping to pick up the Bahamas book, but unfortunately there wasn't a stand yesterday, so I'll hop on the website and order a copy.

 

There were two trains operating for us, a three coach set by the Coal Tank. The book is well worth it, if you weren’t around in the 60s it’s an insight into the challenges the preservationists faced. BLS were lucky in that the Shedmaster at 9B, Terry Smith, was determined to see the engine saved and kept it away from being dispatched for scrap as long as he could.

 

I believe it is hoped that there is a turnaround of 18 months-2 years for Bahamas to be back in traffic, subject to usual caveats of course. Of which this overhaul will have air brakes fitted.

 

A splendidly atmospheric day filming Bahamas on her final runs, yesterday, along with 13298 and 73156. I liked the little added detail of the white lining on Bahamas' smokebox numberplate, she looked and sounded the absolute business, as always. I hope you enjoy the video, if you're interested

 

In several of those shots I notice lineside telegraph poles with few or no wires. Are they left over from before BR closed the line or were they installed when the line was preserved but now disused?

 

Left over from BR, then put back into use by preservationists and maintained (including occasional pole swaps, usually in February with a foot of snow on the ground...) until the resignalling for the double track project got going (through the 90s), at which time the relevant circuits were diverted into buried cables. Therefore, they've had no maintenance for about 25+ years now.

A shame as they really add to the ambience. But without a technical purpose or a massive and ongoing grant to fund their maintenance they'll just gradually fall down. :-(

 

Thank you. Presumably buried cables are now better, but back in the day they weren't an option. Is that because there are now better materials for insulation and conduits?

 

Surely buried cables are easier to maintain, also easier to dig up and steal...

 

Only if you know where to dig... also, you're digging by hand... also, the GCR is made of interlocking granite rocks glued together with clay, it can take hours just to dig out a 2' cube. I think even the most enterprising cable thieves would give up and find something else to steal pretty quickly.

 

They don't dig up the cables, just tie them to a Quad bike and pull them out.