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Great Central Winter Steam Gala 22nd-25th January 2026

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by Dan Hill, Oct 17, 2025.

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  1. Johann Marsbar

    Johann Marsbar Well-Known Member

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    Frankly, I just took one look at the already announced guest engine and immediately booked rail tickets to Loughborough and 4 nights in a hotel there!
    Anything else that appears is a bonus as far as I'm concerned........
     
    Johann Marsbar, Jan 7, 2026 at 5:52 AM
    #21
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  2. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Thanks Harry, indeed not as easy these days to organise a gala, your insight is most interesting and appreciated.
     
    Pete Thornhill, Jan 7, 2026 at 8:43 AM
    #22
  3. mdewell

    mdewell Well-Known Member Friend

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    Didn't Spa Valley recently announce that 828 would be staying with them for 2026? I suppose it could visit other railways and then return to Spa, but . . .

    Edit: Found the link https://www.national-preservation.com/posts/2963888/
     
    mdewell, Jan 8, 2026 at 8:54 AM
    #23
  4. Paul.Uni

    Paul.Uni Well-Known Member

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    Austerity 3809 has been announced as visiting.
     
    Paul.Uni, Jan 8, 2026 at 12:32 PM
    #24
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  5. ianh

    ianh Member

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    Has a timetable been published yet? planing to visit on the Sunday again.....
     
    ianh, Jan 8, 2026 at 7:36 PM
    #25
  6. Ben Jenden

    Ben Jenden Well-Known Member

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    One more guest TBA (probably tomorrow) timetable will follow
     
    Ben Jenden, Jan 8, 2026 at 7:56 PM
    #26
  7. Jonnie

    Jonnie Member

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    It won't be 828. The owners do not want it on and off a lorry. It is staying and operating at the Spa Valley throughout 2026 and probably 2027 too.
     
    Jonnie, Jan 8, 2026 at 9:30 PM
    #27
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  8. Ben Jenden

    Ben Jenden Well-Known Member

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    Webpage announced Bulleid Pacific 34072 "257 Squadron" is the third and final visitor joining 3809 and 92134
     
    Ben Jenden, Jan 9, 2026 at 10:48 AM
    #28
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  9. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Can’t beat a bit of Spam. A great announcement.
     
    Spamcan81, Jan 9, 2026 at 10:55 AM
    #29
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  10. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    Latest news from SLL. <BJ>

    ''34072 257 Squadron has arrived at Quorn for the Great Central Railway's Winter Steam Gala, 21st to 25th January''.

    [​IMG]

    Photo: Rob Porter
     
    free2grice, Jan 10, 2026 at 10:26 AM
    #30
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  11. neildimmer

    neildimmer Resident of Nat Pres

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    Do we know if a timetable has been finalised yet? and any idea when it will be published.
    Many thanks
     
    neildimmer, Jan 11, 2026 at 8:32 AM
    #31
  12. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    From experience, unlikely to be out till a week-10 days before the event. As others have said, the bones of the timetable are fairly consistent; certainly enough to allow bookings on EMR unless you’re needing certainty about rostering
     
    35B, Jan 11, 2026 at 8:51 AM
    #32
  13. Britfoamer

    Britfoamer Part of the furniture

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    Trying to book a run-a-bout ticket for one day but the site is only offering a 3 day ticket, is this correct or what am I doing wrong? thanks.
    Which is the best station for parking to start the day?
     
    Britfoamer, Jan 11, 2026 at 12:58 PM
    #33
  14. malc

    malc Part of the furniture

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    When I select a say it offers all available 1, 2, 3 and 4 day tickets for that day. Looks like multi-day tickets have to be consecutive days, which is a pity as I may be going on Thursday and Saturday.
     
    malc, Jan 11, 2026 at 1:15 PM
    #34
  15. Britfoamer

    Britfoamer Part of the furniture

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    Thanks, progressive myopia and terminal decrepitude (!), didn't look far enough. Found it, but the site won't load, guess it's because it's Sunday and the load. Try again later.
     
    Britfoamer, Jan 11, 2026 at 1:32 PM
    #35
  16. LittleRedTrain

    LittleRedTrain Member

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    Any word on whether there will be a shuttle bus from Loughborough Midland for the event? Can't see anything on the site yet.
    Seems to be the first GCR gala in a while where there haven't been engineering works closing the MML over the weekend.
     
    LittleRedTrain, Jan 11, 2026 at 1:46 PM
    #36
  17. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    Booked up my train travel to come up for the event on the Saturday, although I have to come up from East Grinstead thanks to Engineering work taking place each weekend in January between Gatwick and East Croydon.

    The 9F is my big draw, as I haven't seen 92134 as yet.
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2026 at 3:13 PM
    Dan Hill, Jan 11, 2026 at 2:42 PM
    #37
  18. Johann Marsbar

    Johann Marsbar Well-Known Member

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    Nothing mentioned on the LTHT website as yet regarding providing buses. Normally gets a mention in their "Events" section when they are running anything.
    Assuming they have been asked, its all dependent on them getting sufficient volunteers to run it as well......... (Leicester City being at home that day might have an effect on that!)
     
    Johann Marsbar, Jan 11, 2026 at 3:06 PM
    #38
  19. waterbucket

    waterbucket New Member

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    As I understand it the current plan is for there to be a bus shuttle from Loughborough Midland on the Friday and Saturday. I expect once vehicles and timings have been confirmed the details will appear on the webpage.
     
    waterbucket, Jan 11, 2026 at 4:57 PM
    #39
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  20. WishIHadAName

    WishIHadAName Member

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    Is the TPO running?
     
    WishIHadAName, Jan 11, 2026 at 8:52 PM
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