GCR Autumn Steam Gala – Thurs 1st to Sun 4th October 2015.

Looking forward to this one, plenty of activity, even if the 'faces' are largely familiar !
http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/special-events/autumn-steam-gala-1-4-october/

 

Peckett 0-4-0ST 'Teddy' and Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST 'Colin McAndrew' announced as visitors http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/special-events/autumn-steam-gala-1-4-october/

 

What are the plans for these two to be used at the gala? Shunting at Loughbrough or elsewhere, or small runs within station limits?

They look at tad small to go for the full line when you have a larger express type behind you.....!!

Acutally intending to visit this event and gala, what with the Southern lot turning out up here!

 

They'll look good on the Windcutters.

 

Or the tpo

 

They are mainly in for the Mountsorrel opening later in the month I believe

 

Acutally intending to visit this event and gala, what with the Southern lot turning out up here!

Interesting point of view from a professed north eastern fan! No LNER engines at this event at all, 2 at the NYMR even if there is a southern visitor.....

 

Might make this one so long as I don't end up working the weekend, be nice to see the two little 'uns on the line- bit different from the norm!


Chris

 

True enough. I'm really happy that the gorgeous Q6 is back in steam at the NYMR, and that the K4 is there at the moment too. However, I have a soft spot for things standardised and thus quite like Western region stuff. Stanier's work also impresses. Its a case of funds, time and choice and I'm choosing to return to the Great Central to sample its operation, frequency and opportunities again. Don't forget - theres a southern engine in the line up at this event too! But ssshh... Don't let on I like other stuff too!

 

Timetables available for this on the railway's website, good to have 6990 back !!

 

Timetables available on this link:- http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/TIMETABLES.pdf

 

Do we have any idea what the 0-4-0ST locos are doing?

 

GCR Facebook page has said they will be doing positioning moves along the line.
This along with the fact there are no TPO's is a major disappointment

 

Morning All,

Despite the lack of TPO's I can assure you the timetable is still very intensive, providing all goes to plan of course!

Thursday sees 9 departures from Loughborough between 1000 and 1600 (all passenger).

Friday sees 20 departures from Loughborough between 0920 and 1600 (first passenger train at 1000).

Saturday sees 33 departures from Loughborough between 0815 and 1710 (first passenger train at 0900, last at 1645).

Sunday sees 32 departures from Loughborough between 0815 and 1700 (first passenger train at 0900, last at 1645).

Hopefully it should be a good weekend!

 

Tsk, can't read a timetable Phil. ;-)
And, the 0-4-0s are not in the WTT so if they do leave Loughborough (or wherever they start - but that's where the coal pile is) then they'll be extras.

Also the DMU does a couple of trips - in the public timetable but not advertised otherwise.

 

Is it not possible to get a full timetable?

I'm sure I was able to get one of those at the Swithland Gala.

 

You should get a working timetable in the event guide that comes free with a runabout ticket. If not travelling they should be available to purchase from booking offices for £3 each.

 

An absolute shambolic decision not to have the TPO's in service on their ASG ! I would love know the reason why ? As it makes no sense at all to exclude this winning formula, which makes the railway stand out from other preserved lines !

 

Important information for people heading to to the GCR on Thursday & Friday

Source : GCR Facebook Page

*** SAD NEWS *** Update on Witherslack: Over the last few days trial running of Witherslack Hall has continued. Unfortunately yesterday, Tuesday afternoon, a hot box was detected on its rear axle which is currently being worked on as a matter of extreme urgency – including into the late hours. In all the circumstances, to give the best possible chance of the loco running successfully over the weekend, the decision has been taken to remove Witherslack from its rostered turns on Thursday and Friday, with a subsequent change in the rosters for other locos in the published timetable. We apologise for the disappointment this may cause to visitors. We emphasise that we have confidence in running the full published timetable, with all passenger services being steam haulage, over the whole four days of the Gala. Also the previously advertised visit of "Colin McAndrew" tank loco from Chasewater has had to be cancelled by its owner due to a minor technical issue. Wed, 30 Sept 13.46pm pm

 

While it might be a disappointment its not the end of the gala. Yes its a nice spectacle but its a part and not the whole scene.

I asked on Facebook, whether the expected arrival of the two tank engines was a factor, as they are needed for the Mountsorrel Branch opening - the reply being that I was largely correct. As a result I expect this will have depleted funds available for the movement of engines, with these two being in place of a larger engine, say body and tender. That leaves less larger engines to haul all services on the ASG, being freight, passenger and TPO. They have decided that TPO wont run, meaning crews I would think can be more easily rostered as they are likely to be cleared for frieght and passenger.

At least that's my educated guess on the situation. Personally, I hope that Witherslack is repaired in time - as that's one I'm looking forward to see and as for freight a run of the 16T windcutter rake would be a nice sight too.