Great Central Railway 1960s gala 30, 31 March 1 April 2012

Locos set to feature:

Austerity No. 22 (first visit to GCR)
63601 (One of its last running days in BR livery)
46521
47406
78019
30777 Sir Lamiel
4953 Pitchford Hall (Final appearance at the GCR with BR livery) Boiler ticket expires in August 2012.
DMU 101 Vehicles 51427 and 50321

SWING BACK TO THE 60s!

GCR's 60s weekend is back and is set to be bigger and better than ever in this 'all steam' special. For the first time we are bringing you 'STEAM FROM THE 60s' with all locomotives in authentic 60s livery - a GCR first with an incredible 71 movements in and out of Loughborough on Saturday! Topping the bill is Austerity no. 22 touching down on Leicestershire Metals for the first time. We have it all this gala, freight, mail, passenger, turntable action, real ale, all day breakfasts, live music and of course one of the last chances to see the 04 perform at the famous twilight show. As dusk falls, things get really exciting and the theatre unveils


At this event visitors are being offered the chance to get even closer to the action with a footplate pass. For just £45 (single trip from Loughborough to Leicester or vice versa) you can book a place in the cab of a locomotive as it roars along the track, passing other trains on the way. Precise times will be available closer to the event but for now would be footplate riders are asked to register their interest by calling 01509 632315.

FRIDAY: Will feature a 45 minute timetable with Austerity No.22, Ivatt 2 46521 and a third, yet to be announced

SATURDAY:
BEER TENT - The real ale tent opens at 12pm. A selection of ciders and beers wll be served through to 8pm. Hot food will be availble from 5pm - 7pm.

TWILIGHT SHOW: GCR's famous Twilight Show starts around 5.45pm - watch freight, passenger, double headers and turntable demonstrations whilst enjoying a pint of the amber stuff. Local band Ska-amanga will be performing from 4pm-8pm...Don't miss it!

SUNDAY:
BEER TENT- open 12pm-5pm. There will be live music from GCR's famous Shed Band from 1pm - 4pm.

 

4953 boiler ticket expires in August? Surely that's the 7 year mainline ticket rather than the actual 10 year boiler ticket?

 

Anyone else planning on going to this? Pitchford hall is always a noisy beast and I'm looking forward to experiencing an Austerity on the 'main line'... I wonder if it will do a TPO!!?? When I last had no. 22 it was quite loud on the NVR
Any chance of an online WTT as per winter gala?
Steve

 

Tempted by this, any ideas which way the 04 will be facing?

 

4953 boiler ticket does expire in August 2012, not the mainline ticket, not having had one for three years now.

 

She will be facing south

 

both ways probably.

 

Due to essential maintenance work, we have had to withdraw 30777 Sir Lamiel. This will be replaced by 8F 8624.

 

Austerity no. 22 was not working today - 4953 ran instead.

 

A change for Ex LMS 8F 8624! British Railway's livered Red 8F 48624 stands on shed at Loughborough MPD prior to the GCR's 60's gala. 30th March 2012. More from today @ ​

GC 60's Weekend - a set on Flickr

 

Any idea why 22 wasnt running today and if it will be running tomorrow? Any info will be appreciated.
Cheers

 

the austerity failed but was working today. The O4 has been turned and is now facing north.

 

An excellent gala today - very enjoyable. The austerity did indeed complete it's rostered duties today, looking immaculate and sounding absolutely brilliant! Nice to have such a charismatic little performer on the GCR, which looked wonderful on the 16t mineral wagons; an inspired choice of visitor! The 15:40 departure from Loughborough was probably one of the most enjoyable (and noisy!) round trips I have had on the GCR - these austerities are under-rated, I think!

Another highlight was watching the narrated twilight steam show in the evening. There was plenty of activity, and the narrator was careful to explain what was happening in a manner that was easy to understand, yet not condescending, for anyone not familiar with railways. The Jinty shunting the pick up freight in the cattle dock/ turntable road with the strains of 'Madness' covers playing in the background was a particular highlight, along with the seemingly constant action on the double track with the freight, TPO, DMU, light engines etc, and an entertaining commentary to go with it. Wonderful fun!

 

My photographs of the GCR 1960's gala on Saturday 31st March are now online here - Mick Rogers Photography | GCR 1960's Gala 31st March 2012

A very enjoyable day, spent largely in the vicinity of Swithland Sidings. I have to say that this stretch of tracks looks very impressive when the loops are clear of stock, and will be even more so when the signalling is fully commissioned. Hopefully this will be achieved in the GCR S&T department's work week in May, and it won't be long thereafter before we see the facilty in full use during a gala.

Thanks,
Mick

 

Fantastic event,one of my favourite at the GCR because it is much quieter. 22 sounded great coming out of Leicester,46521 is a great little loco too.

I have uploaded 7 photos to my site for those interested:

GCR 1960's Gala 2012 - a set on Flickr

Cheers,
Mark

 

hello
glorious weather yesterday i also spent most of the day around swithland some pictures at
Zenfolio | steam photography
thanks

 

Hi
i could only manage a couple of hours at this gala on saturday due to family celebrations and work on Sunday so spent my time at Rothley and Kinchley lane. Rather dull and cloudy but some nice action brightened thing up
A collection of my pictures here - Home - Steaming Around the North

John

 

Hi All,

A great selection of photos posted from the weekend i must say.

Had a great day out on Sunday at the GC, with a mixture of riding on the trains and photoing at the lineside. As a fireman at NVR and wanting a shot of 22 on its holidays, it just seemed to elude me wherever i went until taking a ride to leicester on it for last train south of the day.

Please see links to my three shots taken around midday.

4953 - Freight
All sizes | 4953 - Kinchley Lane | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

78019 - TPO
All sizes | 78019 - Mail Train | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

46521 - Parcels
All sizes | 46521 - Quorn | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Many thanks
Oli