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GCR this weekend 8th and 9th Jan

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by free2grice, Jan 8, 2011.

  1. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    GCR ''5526 and Autocoach weekend'' 8th and 9th January.

    The autotrain is replacing the DMU train this weekend. Black '5' 45305 is also in service. There is no timetable information available on the GCR website. Does anyone know the frequency of trains for tomorrow, 9th Jan?

    Many thanks ,<BJ>
     
  2. D7076

    D7076 Well-Known Member

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    Yes,it's on their website.
     
  3. oddsocks

    oddsocks Well-Known Member

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    The autotrain is running in the DMU timings, columns headed "R" in the timetable.
     
  4. mattspencer

    mattspencer Well-Known Member

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  5. Rick.E

    Rick.E Member

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  6. svr-rodgers

    svr-rodgers Member

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    Great photo's Rick.E
     
  7. malc

    malc Part of the furniture

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    I was there on Saturday - a very good day.

    I have to say though that the timetable is rather poor when the DMU is running rather than the auto-train. Only three steam departures - at 10.15 (possibly a bit too early for some "normal" passengers), 13.15 (too soon after lunch) and 16.00 (far too late) with a layover of nearly 2 hours at Loughborough between the first two trains and over an hour between the second and third. Thankfully it's only for two weekends. I can understand the economics of only wanting to steam one loco at this time of year, but I think a better timetable could have been devised.
     
  8. PhotoMatt

    PhotoMatt Well-Known Member

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    I agree the new winter timetable is a little sparse, I guess the current economic climate affects everything.

    A couple of pics from yesterday (who says you can't be creative at Kinchley Lane!

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  9. MAPLE CHRIS

    MAPLE CHRIS Member

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    The low season timetable only applies during Jan & Nov makes sense really as not that many punters around in these months.
     
  10. malc

    malc Part of the furniture

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    As I said earlier, I accept that it makes economic sense to only use one steam loco in the low season, but I think the GCR timetable will simply result in even fewer visitors at this time of year. As I suggested, the 10.15 departure is probably too early for many families to have got their act together to come out for a ride on the railway, the 13.15 is too near lunch time and the 16.00 is too late (who is going to turn out for a ride in the dark?).
     
  11. Orion

    Orion Well-Known Member

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    I find the GCR timetable to be rather odd, with very early first train and the service also ending early too. There isn't a train between 2.14 and 4. It would make more sense to start at around 11 and then have an even interval service until around 4. Sunset today is around 4.15 and there will be a reasonable amount of light until 4.45.

    This pecular timetable is, for me, the main reason the GCR is unattractive as a venue excepting the steam galas which are well worth visiting the railway for.

    http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/Timetables/Winter_Weekend_Low_2011.pdf

    Regards
     
  12. mattspencer

    mattspencer Well-Known Member

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  13. Learner

    Learner New Member

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    Following on from this, does anyone know what steam loco will be operating at GCR this Saturday? I'm visiting for the first time with tickets for the lunchtime dining train so hoping for a good day! Also will the loco shed etc be open?
     
  14. Raimondo

    Raimondo New Member

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    Don't know yet which loco is rostered for the coming weekend. The shed guys are very helpful and usually post the loco roster each week on around the Thursday or Friday. If they post it I will pass it on.

    As previously mentioned here, it is the low season so don't expect too much action - but at least the GCR is still running when there's very little steam action around elsewhere.

    Visitors are welcome to visit the Shed apron area where a few locos (and mostly the guest engines) are standing. However, due to a spate of thefts last year GCR management had to close public access to the shed itself, where you can see many of the locos in various states or repair and dis-repair. This is a real shame (as I used to love wandering around the shed) but understandable given the circumstances. They do organised guided tours of the shed during galas and other bigger events.

    There are some excellent photos from inside the shed last weekend courtesy of Clive Hanley (including 70013 'Oliver Cromwell' under repair) here....

    http://clive-hanley.fotopic.net/c1933559.html

    Hope this helps.
     
  15. 63601

    63601 Member

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    Loco rostered for this weekend should be 61994 The Great Marquess subject to availability.

    Hope this helps
     
  16. Learner

    Learner New Member

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    Hope that's true - would love to see The Great Marquess before she vanishes back north :eek:)
     
  17. Orion

    Orion Well-Known Member

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    Will there be another too?

    Regards
     
  18. mattspencer

    mattspencer Well-Known Member

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  19. Orion

    Orion Well-Known Member

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    Thank you for that.

    Regards
     

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