Great Central Winter steam gala

AFAIK 6023 is facing south. I imagine the revised timetable will be accommodating the turning of these two locomotives (no TPO for the King on Saturday evening).

As for the stand in locomotive, I think all of the GCR home fleet are going to be used, so I imagine the timetable would be revised again if the King can't make it.

James at SVN

 

As stated above - it would be helpful for photographers (both those on the lineside and those who are travelling but want to get photos of locomotives from stations) to know the starting 'direction' of locomotives, and also any turns during the day and wether they will be 180 or 360 degrees. The SVR has got very good at making this information avaliable...

 

If this helps as of 1700 tonight the locomotives are facing

6023 King Edward II South
30777 Sir Lamiel South
47406 North
1744 South
78019 South
46521 South
48624 South
3803 Not yet arrived but expected to face south

 

Stock to be expected in service over the gala in no particular order, subject to alterations.

BR Mark 1 Maroon RB set E4662, E4788, E4922, E1695, E9316 E16070

BR Mark 1 Local set S14026, S1852, S25312, S4914.

BR Mark 1 Carmine and Cream set conveying a RVP Gresley RB with buffet facilities onboard, 25278, E4857, E4948, E4630, E1526, E34393. I have heard 4050 may be added too.

BR Mark 1 TPO set, W80301, W80401, W80349, W80345, W80458 W80438.

DMU Class 101 50321 and 51427.

Freight sets are the Mineral (Windcutter) rake and the Mixed goods rake.

 

Thanks to both of you for posting that info.

 

Could I hazard a guess that 51622+50266 might get added to the DMU set? Certainly they have been added at other busy events recently.

Also unless the defective buffer on one of the brake vans has been fixed in the last fortnight, I can only think of three which are properly serviceable, so running two goods trains is going to be interesting.

Won't be there myself, but enjoy!

 

51622 has flat batteries and wasn't planned on being in traffic, it won't be long until the Class 127 DMU will run as a two car set now. 51616 has been reupholstered using the seat moquette donated from South West Trains. The 101 will run as a two car, I believe 50266 is still winterised.

 

Just to add to the above we also have the green BG and the teak BGP which could be used as brake vans in the freight set if there aren't enough others available.

The WTT looks pretty mega with a total of 90 departures planned from Loughborough over the course of the weekend (12 Friday, 43 Saturday and 35 Sunday)! For information the first movements on Saturday and Sunday are at 08:20 with the first passenger service at 09:00. The last ones are as indicated in the passenger timetables available on the website. Whilst we'll do our best to achieve this it is subject to the usual caveats of loco availability and of course the weather...bit of heat before Friday would be nice!!

Phil

 

KEII update from Didcot:

"6023 update - the locomotive has passed its hydraulic boiler test today at Loughborough, in the presence of inspectors from the insurance company and the VAB (vehicle acceptance body)."

Excellent news!

James at SVN

 

.....

 

Thats why many of us love this Gala. There can't be many others anywhere that have more departures ?

There is nearly always something happening at Loughborough.

 

Given that it was (as of 10 days ago anyway) in the same siding as the mixed freight, why not use the BZ?

 

Ah good point, to be honest I didn't realise it was serviceable again. I'm sure someone has a plan anyway...

 

Any updates on 6023 please? I am planning to come down on Friday for a ride but if the King is not performing then I would rather not risk travelling in the forecast conditions!

 

Please see above. Also keep your eye on Winter Steam Gala 25th, 26th and 27th Jan 2013 | The UK's Only Main Line Heritage Railway as any last minute updates will be posted there.

 

There is a steam test tomorrow according to a chap on the 6023 Facebook page, fingers crossed everything goes to plan!

James at SVN

 

Spotted outside Loughborough shed this afternoon: a very large blue GWR loco with smoke coming out the chimney. Not fully in steam, but I assume fire lit for steam test tomorrow. Well done (and good luck) to all concerned.

 

Thanks for the replies, looks like my work flexitime and the sale of a rover ticket should be determined by this time tomorrow!

 

Good luck to all involved with 6023 for tomorrow. Will be great to see this blue beauty up and running again.