Swithland Steam Gala 26th – 28th April 2013

Yes agreed.What a load of irrelevent gibber about bogs. Can we have something useful please, like the Gala timetables and engine workigs. Once I see these we might be tempted to make the journey.

Don

 

From today's newsletter:

It’s the three day steam dream railway enthusiasts have been waiting for. For the first time since the completion of the award winning signalling at Swithland Sidings, the Great Central Railway is opening the area to the public. With guest locomotives and a super intensive timetable, the unique spectacle of steam locomotives passing each other, running into loops and shunting in sidings will unfold. There won’t be a dull moment!
The gala will feature passenger and freight running on the award winning Leicestershire heritage line, and also the first few yards of the newly laid Mountsorrel branch line. Visitors will be able to stay all day in a special viewing at Swithland, closer to the action than has ever been allowed before. Such intense action was once common place on Britain’s Railways but can now only be seen on the GCR.
The list of locomotives expected in action is also impressive. After an extended stay, GWR ‘King’ class No. 6023 King Edward II will put on a farewell performance. As the railway waves goodbye to one visitor, it welcomes three others for the first time. London and North Western Railway Webb ‘Coal Tank’ No 1054 will feature on the GCR’s freight trains (subject to contract). Meanwhile the sidings at Swithland will be shunted by two diminutive locomotives. Bagnall 0-4-0s Alfred and Judy were built with very low cabs and short wheelbases to cope with low bridges and tight curves on the Cornish branch lines they once worked.
Completing the motive power line up are engines from the GCR ‘home fleet’ including Ivatt 2 No 46521, Red liveried LMS 8F No 48624, LMS ‘Jinty’ No 47406 and BR Standard 2 No 78019. In all, eight locomotives are expected in action.
Kate Tilley, Great Central Railway marketing manager said, “We’ve started to see the potential of the new signalling at Swithland Sidings at our recent major galas. However, we know people want to be allowed on the ground there, to see the true theatre of the railways for themselves. It’s going to be a very exciting event and with the ‘King’, some guests, and so much to see, it is certainly not one to be missed. Children will be delighted by Alfred and Judy and they will right at home shunting at Swithland.”
Hot food will be available at Swithland during the three day event. Passengers will be able to reach Swithland using a complimentary shuttle bus from Quorn and Woodhouse station. When changing trains at Quorn, look out for demonstration high speed mail drops and locomotives being turned on the new turntable.
On additional unusual attraction is a narrow gauge locomotive. Tallyllyn Railway No. 3 Sir Hayden will be on display at Quorn and Woodhouse station. Usually found running trains in Wales, the locomotive is coming back to Leicestershire where it was built at Henry Hughes Locomotive and Tramway Engine Works Ltd in Loughborough (the site is now occupied by the Brush Works). The locomotive will be posed alongside two large diesels also built locally as part of a ‘Made In Loughborough’ display.
The railways’ family tea rooms and bistros will all be open during the event. Timetables and fares will be available at the Great Central Railway’s website closer to the event.
All locomotives and attractions appear subject to contract and availability.

 

I'm confused -- which I know doesn't take much these days -- Advertised as a 3 day gala, the main web page states that Swithland sidings will not be open to the public on Friday
Swithland Steam Gala 26th – 28th April | The UK's Only Main Line Heritage Railway
Does that refer to the whole site or mean a reduced level of activity there on the Friday.

 

GCR galas are always advertised as three day affairs, though the Friday is typically limited to a 45 minute interval passenger service. Freights, TPO's, locals etc only run on the Saturday and Sunday.

Cheers,

 

Sorry to ask this if it has been asked before and answered, but are the Swithland Sidings only accessible for visitors by the special transport laid on from Quorn Station. This is what is implied by the GCR Website or have I misread that.

regards
BGSTEAM

 

No, you have not misread that.
Only allowing access via the minibus link from Quorn will serve two purposes: -
1. It will (to a certain extent) control the number of visitors on site.
2. Avoids any issues with cars parked on the nearby road, which is always quite busy with through traffic.

However, AFIK anyone with a lineside pass will be still be able to walk to Swithland from Rothley station. Whether they want to or not, because of the presence of large numbers of Joe Public in the background, is another matter.

Cheers,

 

Thank you for clarifying this point for me, frazoulaswak.

regards
BGSTEAM

 

Rather more importantly, it precludes members of the public having to negotiate the site exit. The only way on or off of site is via a blind bend directly onto a derestricted road carrying fast moving traffic. It is, frankly, dangerous to those unfamiliar with it, to the extent that I'm given to understand that at least one bus preservation society declined to be involved with this event after carrying out a risk assessment.

 

Passenger Time tables for all three days are now available on:-Swithland Steam Gala 26th – 28th April | The UK's Only Main Line Heritage Railway

 

Could someone confirm which way the King is now facing -- I think I read that it had been turned to face north but can't find the article now
Thanks in advance

 

Coal Tank 1054 now at Loughborough MPD

 

It was facing North on Saturday (13th) - That's not to say it hasn't been turned since! Did you see it in the Shed News of last weeks news letter?
http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Weekly-Newsletter-2013-04-10-14.pdf

 

The Swithland Gala page on the GCR website now contains links to the passenger timetables in PDF format - Swithland Steam Gala 26th – 28th April | The UK's Only Main Line Heritage Railway

Also of interest is the following paragraph which has appeared in the last day or two: -
"Lineside photographers please note that during the Swithland Gala access to the Swithland site is only by the complimentary shuttle bus provided. This bus travels from Quorn station directly into the fenced public area. Lineside photographers must display a valid lineside pass to present to the courier for this travel. There is no access to the trackside areas from Rothley Station through to Swithland Viaduct including the sidings area within Swithland yard during this gala. We thank you for your support."

While I can see that the GCR has made this edict because it doesn't want to see Joe Public wandering about the track because they've seen camera laden blokes in hi-viz doing so, to bar lineside permit holders from Rothley to the south end of Swithland Sidings as well is perhaps overkill. I had been thinking about spending an hour or two lineside in the Sidings area at some point during my visit to the gala, but having read the above, I don't think that I'll bother going south of Quorn now.

Cheers,

 

Just to reply to a previous post:

6023 was turned north-facing last week to fulfil filming last Saturday for a new series of Michael Portillo's "Great British Railway Journeys". He did the journey from Rothley to Loughborough behind 6023 which, for the benefit of good TV shots, is presumably why they turned it.

Although it was apparently a bit of a squeeze on the turntable (a couple of inches each side), I would imagine it could well be turned back to south-facing this week in readiness for the gala.

 

It has been turned for a photo charter next week.

 

It's a bit of a confusing statement - the bus service is complimentary, but lineside photographers must display a valid lineside pass. However, the bus will also convey normal members of the public who won't have passes? Is it just me or doesn't that make sense?

I can appreciate that the GCR would want to restrict linesiders for this particular weekend, though. If you're opening the site to Joe Public so they can enjoy the event at Swithland, it won't be authentic if everywhere you look and point your camera there are clusters of people in hi viz clothing. So, please don't get too upset, guys. It is only for one weekend.

 

not arguing with the principle but id question just how authentic its going to be with alfred and judy pottering about alongside the coal tank in pre grouping livery on a rake of mark 1s!

 

Authenticity ? With an exchange sidings site full of buses, portaloos, burger vans, orange fencing and milling members of the public ? Authenticity and this event are hardly on nodding terms with each other, even before you start thinking about the motive power !

Flip

 

Hi Guys
I'm pleased to advise that the Tin Can Diner will be based at Swithland for the Gala. You may have seen us at Quorn for the Easter Vintage event".
We'll be serving bacon/sausage baps from Grasmere farm, Burgers, jacket potatoes and sandwiches as well as the all important tea and coffee to keep you warm. We're train enthusiasts ourselves and looking to provide good value for you all.
See you there
Chris and Jackie Keighley

 

I hope crew get a discount? Will be your best customer as I am on Alfred all day!