Great Central Railway News and Updates

Cowley · 6 Nov 2019

Flying Phil said:
Here is our visitor, from the Epping and Onger Railway, which is "running in" on the GCR for a few weeks.View attachment 70194

That’s lovely. Great to see a black Hall for a change too.

RailUK Forums

Flying Phil · 21 Nov 2019

The new tender tank for 34039 "Boscastle", has now been delivered to Loughborough. Work on the tender chassis is continuing and the boiler is expected back from the South Devon Railway Engineering Co quite soon.

Cowley · 21 Nov 2019

Flying Phil said:
The new tender tank for 34039 "Boscastle", has now been delivered to Loughborough. Work on the tender chassis is continuing and the boiler is expected back from the South Devon Railway Engineering Co quite soon.

Thanks for all the updates on the various GCR threads Phil, very informative and appreciated.

Flying Phil · 24 Nov 2019

Thanks Cowley, as you will have realised, it is very much an "unofficial" information stream based on visits, talking to people on site and GCR publications. I got frustrated at the lack of up to date info and thought "Why don't they"......Then I thought "Well perhaps I could/should!"
It certainly is going to be an exciting next few years on the GCR......not that the past 47 years have been placid!

EbbwJunction1 · 24 Nov 2019

Flying Phil said:
Thanks Cowley, as you will have realised, it is very much an "unofficial" information stream based on visits, talking to people on site and GCR publications. I got frustrated at the lack of up to date info and thought "Why don't they"......Then I thought "Well perhaps I could/should!" It certainly is going to be an exciting next few years on the GCR......not that the past 47 years have been placid!

And you do it very well, so thanks for that!

AndyY1951 · 25 Nov 2019

EbbwJunction1 said:
And you do it very well, so thanks for that!

I will second that sentiment, many thanks Phil!
Andy

L+Y · 27 Nov 2019

AndyY1951 said:
I will second that sentiment, many thanks Phil!
Andy

Thirded! Though I wonder, could it be worth merging the two GCR threads? I'd assume all of us logging in are interested in both projects?

Flying Phil · 27 Nov 2019

Thanks for the thanks!
I am inclined to favour keeping the "Gap" project as a distinct thread as it is such a big project and hopefully the museum "Plan B" will emerge in due course.

Flying Phil · 30 Nov 2019

Here is a seasonal picture.....

and here is the new tender tank for "Boscastle"

Cowley · 30 Nov 2019

Great stuff!

Flying Phil · 2 Dec 2019

Re 70013 - The Roller bearings have passed their inspection and the wheels will go back into the chassis in the near future. The boiler is still outside the shed.

Flying Phil · 27 Dec 2019

The boiler has had its superheater header removed but is still at Loughborough. The driving wheels are back in the chassis.

Flying Phil · 9 Jan 2020

This coming weekend has the "Boscastle" team offering guided tours around the Engine Shed, details on the GCR Website.

Flying Phil · 17 Jan 2020

The K1 62005 has arrived at the GCR for the Jan 24 - 26th Gala. It was out yesterday on a photographic charter. It will be joined by "Pitchford Hall" plus, up to 6 "Home fleet" locomotives.
The "Goods Galore" event is earlier this year, now at the end of March (28th 29th).

Flying Phil · 23 Jan 2020

latest GCR news! GWR no 4073 "Thornbury Castle" is to leave the WSR and be restored at Loughborough. Bought by a "supporter of the GCR".

AnthonyRail · 24 Jan 2020

Flying Phil said:
latest GCR news! GWR ‘4073’ Class "Thornbury Castle" is to leave the WSR and be restored at Loughborough. Bought by a "supporter of the GCR".

Brilliant news. Quick return to steam.

Flying Phil · 24 Jan 2020

There were Lots of people at the GCR for the start of the Gala weekend. The trains were delayed mid afternoon and for some reason (possibly related??) an 08 shunter had gone up the Swithland branch and looked as though it was attached to the 3 car DMU set.

Flying Phil · 8 Feb 2020

Re Thornbury Castle, the tender tank and frames are now outside Lbro shed......The frames and driving wheels are in Quorn yard.

Flying Phil · 15 Feb 2020

Thornbury is outside the shed at Lbro and according to "Rail Mail" from a quick inspection the tyres are good, the smokebox is not too bad, but, most importantly, the firebox looks to be in very good condition. So it looks good, so far, for a reasonably straight forward return to steam.....

Mogulb · 15 Feb 2020

On Thornbury’s Facebook blog it is said that restoration will only start in earnest after the 04 and Cromwell’s restoration are completed, she will be moved inside as soon as Cromwell is mobile.

Monty · 16 Feb 2020

Flying Phil said:
Thornbury is outside the shed at Lbro and according to "Rail Mail" from a quick inspection the tyres are good, the smokebox is not too bad, but, most importantly, the firebox looks to be in very good condition. So it looks good, so far, for a reasonably straight forward return to steam.....

Famous last words... :lol:

Though I understand the locomotive is missing quite a number if parts so that could complicate things slightly.

Neptune · 16 Feb 2020

7027 was sat outside Loughborough shed yesterday. Long way to go but will be worth it.

The 9F was on Pullman duty yesterday with 62005 on normal service alongside the 1903 NER Railcar.

We had the K1 on the Valentines pullman on Friday night. An absolutely wonderful experience.

Flying Phil · 18 Feb 2020

Nice to see there is a copper capped chimney on 7027!

Flying Phil · 26 Feb 2020

A large pallet of spares has arrived at Lbro and the front bogie is included....

Flying Phil · 29 Feb 2020

The front bogie has been stripped and the bogie axles and wheels are beside the engine outside Lbro shed.

Flying Phil · 16 Apr 2020

There is a revamped "Shed Appeal" page on the GCR website. There are links to two new information pages which show "Leicester North" as "Birstall and Leicester" and the new shed as spreading across 4 tracks with the Eastern track clear as a route to the North, through the shed.......How accurate this will be I'm not sure.

Flying Phil · 12 May 2020

In the latest "Rail Mail" from the GCR....."On a positive note, we have been able to safely continue with a number of developments during lock down involving 3rd party contractors; this has included the construction of the new ramp and patio areas at Rothley (due to be completed in 2 weeks’ time), the extensive platform surface repairs at Loughborough which are a week away from completion and the commencement of a huge safety fencing project at numerous locations on the Railway’s perimeter."
They are planning on a very slow build up from lockdown, but do hope to "Un-furlough" a few staff, soon, for work on different sites around the railway.

wagwan my g · 13 May 2020

Flying Phil said:
In the latest "Rail Mail" from the GCR....."On a positive note, we have been able to safely continue with a number of developments during lock down involving 3rd party contractors; this has included the construction of the new ramp and patio areas at Rothley (due to be completed in 2 weeks’ time), the extensive platform surface repairs at Loughborough which are a week away from completion and the commencement of a huge safety fencing project at numerous locations on the Railway’s perimeter."
They are planning on a very slow build up from lockdown, but do hope to "Un-furlough" a few staff, soon, for work on different sites around the railway.

Just out of interest, how are they funding all that when other lines are unfortunately having to release desperate appeal funds. Good to hear the GCR are in a position to do so though.

Paul Hitchcock · 13 May 2020

wagwan my g said:
Just out of interest, how are they funding all that when other lines are unfortunately having to release desperate appeal funds. Good to hear the GCR are in a position to do so though.

Thankfully, there are other lines also not on their beam ends (so far)

Flying Phil · 13 May 2020

I suspect that the David Clarke Railway Trust has donated to the GCR for much of the infrastructure improvements. No doubt these will show when the Company Accounts are published.

Great Central Railway News and Updates

Forum Staff

RailUK Forums

Established Member

Forum Staff

Established Member

Established Member

Member

Member

Established Member

Established Member

Forum Staff

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Member

Established Member

Established Member

Attachments

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Member

Member

Established Member