www.32g.co.uk | Great Central Railway 2008

Home \| NNR \| SVR \| GCR \| NYMR \| Day Return \| About me \| Links \| Contact me
	2008 GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY

12th October Autumn Gala
With an irresistible loco line up and favourable autumnal weather the scene was set for the GCR's superb (and subsequently highly successful) Autumn Gala. The line has subtitled 2008 as "Year of the Express Engine" and the gala lived up to that billing. With express loco designs from four different companies, there was certainly something for everyone. Topping the loco roster was without doubt new build Peppercorn A1 Pacific 60163 Tornado. This was the first time that I'd seen the A1, in grey undercoat it was an almost surreal sight stood outside the loco shed at Loughborough. The engine is a credit to The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust that have spent 18 years raising money and building her. Playing a gallant supporting role was LMS 5XP 5690 Leander. Usually based at the East Lancs Railway this was the Jubilee's first visit to the GCR and bought a welcome splash of crimson lake to the head of trains. Finally the NRM duo, SR LN 850 Lord Nelson and 70013 Oliver Cromwell (which had returned to the line after its summer exploits on the main line). Making up the numbers were GWR Large Prairie 4141, GCR O4 63601 and BR 2MT 78019. All this and I've yet to mention the intensive timetable, the TPO, parcels and goods trains…


Locos: 48305 and 63601 Location: Loughborough	Subject: Yard Location: Loughborough	Loco: 60163 Tornado Location: Loughborough	Loco: 60163 Tornado Location: Leaving Loughborough
D2081012-005.tif	D2081012-008.tif	D2081012-010.tif	D2081012-013.tif

Loco: 63601 Location: Charnwood	Loco: 63601 Location: Charnwood	Loco: 850 Lord Nelson Location: Woodthorpe	Loco: 5690 Leander Location: Woodthorpe
D2081012-014.tif	D2081012-015.tif	D2081012-016.tif	D2081012-018.tif

Loco: 70013 Oliver Cromwell Location: Woodthorpe	Loco: 78019 Location: Approaching Quorn	Loco: 60163 Tornado Location: Approaching Quorn	Loco: 4141 Location: Approaching Quorn
D2081012-020.tif	D2081012-021.tif	D2081012-023.tif	D2081012-025.tif

Loco: 5690 Leander Location: Approaching Quorn	Loco: 850 Lord Nelson Location: Quorn	Loco: 70013 Oliver Cromwell Location: Quorn	Loco: 5690 Leander Location: Quorn
D2081012-026.tif	D2081012-030.tif	D2081012-031.tif	D2081012-035.tif

Loco: 63601 Location: Quorn	Loco: 70013 Oliver Cromwell Location: Approaching Quorn	Loco: 70013 Oliver Cromwell Location: Approaching Quorn	Loco: 60163 Tornado Location: Woodthorpe
D2081012-038.tif	D2081012-045.tif	D2081012-046.tif	D2081012-047.tif

11th May Welcome back Oliver Cromwell
After a four year overhaul at Loughborough, May 2008 saw the return to steam of 'End of Steam' celebrity pacific 70013 Oliver Cromwell. For many 70013 will always be associated with the 15 Guinea Special, but I have a more personal association with the engine. At the tender age of 2 and a half, I just about remember taking a footplate ride on Cromwell at Bressingham. (So 70013 probably planted the seed!) That was the first and last time I saw Cromwell in steam, so to see the iconic loco back in steam, 22 years on, was rather special. Knowing a little about what it takes to get one of these beasts back on the road, I would like to congratulate all at Loughborough shed for the monumental effort they have put in to get Cromwell back in steam, especially in the last few months. Well done, and thank you.


Loco: 70013 Oliver Cromwell Location: Loughborough	Loco: 70013 Oliver Cromwell Location: Loughborough	Caption: First Class Location: Loughborough	Loco: 70013 Oliver Cromwell Location: Leicester North
D2080511-003.tif	D2080511-009.tif	D2080511-012.tif	D2080511-019.tif

Loco: 70013 Oliver Cromwell Location: Leicester North	Loco: 78019 Location: Loughborough	Loco: 30777 Sir Lamiel Location: Loughborough	Loco: 30777 Sir Lamiel Location: Loughborough
D2080511-020.tif	D2080511-026.tif	D2080511-032.tif	D2080511-033.tif

26–27th January Winter Gala
The annual Winter Gala marks the start of an exciting year for the Great Central Railway, with many firsts and comebacks for Britain's only mainline steam railway. This year's gala was subtitled 'A hazy shade of Oxford' and featured guest locos 4953 Pitchford Hall and 4F 44422. Also making a welcome return to the Winter Gala timetable was the RVP's TPO train, which made two (spirited) runs during the day (Saturday). The all steam line-up featured; GWR Hall 4953 Pitchford Hall, Large Prairie 4141; LMS 4F 44422, 8F 48305; SR King Arthur 30777 Sir Lamiel; BR Standard 2MT 78019.


Locos: 78019 and 44422 Location: Approaching Quorn	Subject: Quorn station Location: Quorn	Loco: 4953 Pitchford Hall Location: Quorn	Loco: 48305 Location: Quorn
D2080126-001.tif	D2080126-002.tif	D2080126-005.tif	D2080126-006.tif

Loco: 4141 Location: Quorn	Loco: 78019 Location: Quorn	Loco: 30777 Sir Lamiel Location: Quorn	Loco: 78019 Location: Quorn
D2080126-007.tif	D2080126-009.tif	D2080126-011.tif	D2080126-012.tif

Loco: 44422 Location: Approaching Quorn	Loco: 4953 Pitchford Hall Location: Approaching Quorn	Loco: 4953 Pitchford Hall Location: Approaching Quorn	Loco: 30777 Sir Lamiel Location: Loughborough
D2080126-013.tif	D2080126-014.tif	D2080126-015.tif	D2080126-017.tif

Loco: 48305 Location: Loughborough	Loco: 78019 Location: Kinchley Lane curve	Loco: 44422 Location: Kinchley Lane curve	Caption: Setting up for the TPO Location: Quorn
D2080126-024.tif	D2080126-026.tif	D2080126-030.tif	D2080126-032.tif