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

As others have just posted, the Spring Steam Weekend 28th/1st March will have all 3 out again.

Next weekend 31st/1st is down as Visiting Loco Weekend in HOPS - I can't confirm if all 3 will be out though or just 2 as with the gala taking focus, information upload is tbc. Suspect GCR socials will confirm this week.

A 257 Squadron owner's rep told me that he expected the loco to be in use most of the month before it left, and given the popularity of the 9F with the railway and volunteers I suspect (but don't know) that it'll get a few weekends of use also.

Thanks to all that came and supported the event, both on the trains or lineside photographers donating. I know one loco trust sales team did very well out of the weekend so hopefully a nice healthy start to the calendar year financially for the GCR and other groups who had their stalls out!

 

The printed timetable had 34072 for the last train on Sunday but the internet timetable showed the 9F.

 

Thanks - that makes a lot of sense

 

Excellent, will keep an eye on socials. Cheers all.

 

Some footage from the Friday and Sunday. Was gutted to not be able to make the Saturday after seeing everyone else's shots in the sun, but still a good weekend out meeting with friends nonetheless!

 

I went on the Saturday and took my two boys, aged 2 and 5 and it was a bit too crowded for comfort. Standing by a toilet unable to see anything for half an hour isn't a greatest experience.

6 coach rake, but half a coach is the brake and half a coach is a kitchen. 2 or 3 coaches are compartment coaches and suddenly the train is rammed.

Could any of the dining coaches or DMUs have been used to bulk out sets?

I know these weekends require a massive volunteer commitment, but if they are that popular would any railway ever consider doing the event over two weekends to maximise income and maybe spread out custom?

 

9F at 1700 on Saturday.

 

I think you then get into the problem of trains being far longer than platforms than they currently are.

A good idea in theory, but I suspect financially not so much. Your market is finite; say 3000 people maximum will visit as current. That might rise to, say, 3500 over two weekends, but your costs of running two weekends will essentially double. Will end up either making a small profit (if you are lucky) or more likely, a notable loss.

That said, by having the guests out on subsequent weekends (something which the GCR does fairly often) it at least means those who want the guests can enjoy them in slightly less crowded conditions - the payoff is you may not get the intense service as you would at a gala.

 

9F will be turned to face south. Definitely on Thursday before the Spring Steam Weekend as its on a charter