Great Central Railway News and Updates

pdeaves · 13 May 2020

wagwan my g said:
Just out of interest, how are they funding all that

I would expect some external third party funding is available for specific works (it has to be spent on ramp and patio work and not on bogie refurbishment, or whatever). Such funding is usually bid for and won on strict conditions.

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Flying Phil · 19 May 2020

I was taking exercise today and happened to look over the parapet at Loughborough Central Station....with my camera....Nice platform surface!

LowLevel · 19 May 2020

Flying Phil said:
I was taking exercise today and happened to look over the parapet at Loughborough Central Station....with my camera....Nice platform surface!View attachment 78138

The railway is by no means shut

Flying Phil · 22 May 2020

From the GCR website
"
Added on Friday 22nd May...

Today we have taken the first very careful steps towards our eventual return. Although the railway remains closed to the public for now, and majority of departments remain closed to all for the time being, a very small number of the team have returned to work in a carefully-controlled way as we begin to restart our operations.

With precautions in place, including Driver and Fireman wearing face coverings, and Guard alone in the coaches, BR Standard Class 2 78018 completed some important test runs along the line today to confirm the success of repair works."

Good news and hopefully other lines will be starting the slow process of return to operations.

STEVIEBOY1 · 23 May 2020

Flying Phil said:
From the GCR website
"
Added on Friday 22nd May...

Today we have taken the first very careful steps towards our eventual return. Although the railway remains closed to the public for now, and majority of departments remain closed to all for the time being, a very small number of the team have returned to work in a carefully-controlled way as we begin to restart our operations.

With precautions in place, including Driver and Fireman wearing face coverings, and Guard alone in the coaches, BR Standard Class 2 78018 completed some important test runs along the line today to confirm the success of repair works."

Good news and hopefully other lines will be starting the slow process of return to operations.

That is good to hear, the above photo is good too. Good Luck everyone.

Andy Pacer · 23 May 2020

Excellent news. It will be small steps on a long road to a new sort of normal, but I for one look forward to getting back down to the GCR!

Flying Phil · 30 May 2020

Well the GCR is planning to operate a steam service (No passengers) on Sunday according to their website. You will be able to watch from Quorn Station yard from your car or socially distanced. So that is really positive news! Let us hope it works well and that nobody is silly.

Andy Pacer · 30 May 2020

Flying Phil said:
Well the GCR is planning to operate a steam service (No passengers) on Sunday according to their website. You will be able to watch from Quorn Station yard from your car or socially distanced. So that is really positive news! Let us hope it works well and that nobody is silly.

Will be great for the staff there to see things in operation. I agree that people should be sensible, there are plenty of safe and legal places along the route to take a look.

STEVIEBOY1 · 30 May 2020

Flying Phil said:
From the GCR website
"
Added on Friday 22nd May...

Today we have taken the first very careful steps towards our eventual return. Although the railway remains closed to the public for now, and majority of departments remain closed to all for the time being, a very small number of the team have returned to work in a carefully-controlled way as we begin to restart our operations.

With precautions in place, including Driver and Fireman wearing face coverings, and Guard alone in the coaches, BR Standard Class 2 78018 completed some important test runs along the line today to confirm the success of repair works."

Good news and hopefully other lines will be starting the slow process of return to operations.

Agreed.

Flying Phil · 30 May 2020

Just to update, in the GCR "Rail Mail", they say parking at Quorn will be in the (overflow parking) field on the other side of the line. I would think that somebody will be selling ice creams etc and I suspect that the GCR doesn't want to be seen to break the rules re Cafe's opening.

Andy Pacer · 30 May 2020

Flying Phil said:
Just to update, in the GCR "Rail Mail", they say parking at Quorn will be in the (overflow parking) field on the other side of the line. I would think that somebody will be selling ice creams etc and I suspect that the GCR doesn't want to be seen to break the rules re Cafe's opening.

I could have just fancied tea and cake watching a steam train pass by. Maybe in a few months!

Flying Phil · 1 Jun 2020

The Sunday running went well. There were stewards on duty going into the car parking field giving out a safety briefing sheet. No charge for admission. I was directed to a parking space with more than 2m spacing between cars. Spacing between visitors was also monitored by stewards but everybody was self spacing. There was a 37 on the van train and the Std 2 running light engine. One steward held a donations collection tin which most people contributed too.
There were about 50 cars and 70 people.
The engine crews wore masks and gloves.

EbbwJunction1 · 1 Jun 2020

That's good … although the chap on the footplate of 78018 looks like he's about to rob a bank!

Flying Phil · 2 Jun 2020

The 37 on the Van train also went across the turntable to set the vans in Quorn yard, which was so empty.

Andy Pacer · 3 Jun 2020

Excellent and good to hear the stewards were helpful. Hopefully things like this can continue. Encouraging turn out from the public too.

Flying Phil · 20 Jun 2020

Steam services set to return on July 25th, details on GCR website.

Flying Phil · 3 Jul 2020

It was good to see the 9F 92214 steaming past Quorn this afternoon with 4 coaches. I assume the locomotive will be being used over the weekend on Empty Stock working as part of the slow recommissioning process.

Flying Phil · 9 Jul 2020

The 9F was steaming with 6 coaches today - No passengers yet though, and the Std 5 was also in steam at Loughborough. The GCR is steadily getting back to work.

Flying Phil · 19 Jul 2020

There was a special test train running today, with GCR working members invited to try out the arrangements for travel, before next weekend's opening. It was very good to be back in a Mk1 travelling through the countryside.
It was all pre-booked with a compartment allocated to each group. The platforms were well organised to maintain social distancing. face masks were in use on the platforms but not whilst in the compartment. It all was well thought out and felt very safe. It ran from Quorn to Leicester North and people could get out there. Return to Quorn and then the empty stock went to Loughborough for cleaning/sanitize.
It was very good to see that Swithland Sidings have been re-organised and looks a lot smarter with 4 coaches now covered in green heavy duty PVC hiding the unrestored stock. Also at Leicester North was quite a large quantity of track, including a point......could there be something happening there soon?

Flying Phil · 21 Aug 2020

Looking over the bridge at Loughborough Shed, there has been more work done on Thornbury as the frames are now inside the shed. The O4 boiler has been lifted according to "Rail Mail".

Flying Phil · 30 Nov 2020

It is pleasing to see that the Museum proposal is still actively being worked on according to the GCR 2020 AGM notes.
I have also been collating locomotive information and here is my unofficial summary....
December updates added in Italics

From published information, but will, no doubt, be delayed due to C19 work stoppage. Obviously the Covid situation has had a far longer and deeper effect and so all the locomotive work – particularly outside contracts, have been severely delayed.

70013 Oliver Cromwell will be overhauled by the End of 2020. Boiler has not yet gone to Tyseley but firebox new stays installed so completion mid/late 2021

78019 BR Class 2 should have its refurbished boiler and be finished Mid/End 2020. Boiler still awaited. Completion now 2021.

63601 04 should be dismantled, overhauled and back in service Mid 2021. Boiler lifted, chassis overhaul started, completion likely 2022

7027 Thornbury Castle major work to start after the 04 but it is a big project so 2024/5. Major work started Could now be completed by 2023/24

45491 Black 5 major work done, finish 2021 probably. Boiler tube instalation virtually completed

48624 8F Awaiting overhaul….to be decided. Still to be decided

Jinty 47406 out of ticket in 2020. Now in Mountsorrel Museum

Black 5 45305 out of ticket in 2020.

Ivatt 46521 out of ticket in 2021

9F 92214 out of ticket in 2023

Hall 6990 out of ticket in 2025

BR2 78018 out of ticket in 2026

Std 5 73156 out of ticket in 2028

8F 48305 out of ticket in 2029

Sir Lamiel 777 (NRM) to be overhauled at GCR

It is anticipated that 34039 Boscastle could be ready 2022…..

L+Y · 30 Nov 2020

Flying Phil said:
It is anticipated that 34039 Boscastle could be ready 2022…..

Surely a strong contender for the first loco over the new bridge in 2030ish?

Thanks for the general updates. If those are correct, I wonder if the railway could get away quite comfortably without bringing in guest locos for the duration of 2021, and instead star purely returnees at the Autumn Gala (which I'll assume will be their first big enthusiasts' event post-Covid).

Flying Phil · 1 Dec 2020

More GCR news from their website....
Update 30th November 2020: Santa Express trains to continue as planned -

Following the announcement that our local area of Charnwood will be under Tier 3 restrictions from 2nd December until at least 16th December, we have been working with Charnwood Borough Council to confirm the situation with regard to our Santa and Winter Wonderlights trains.

We have been advised that today that our Santa trains can proceed as planned from Saturday 5th December.

We are awaiting final details from the local authority on any modifications that we may need to make to the services in order to comply with the new rules, and will publish details of any required changes as soon as possible.

We are delighted that services can continue, and very much look forward to welcoming you to the railway

STEVIEBOY1 · 1 Dec 2020

Flying Phil said:
More GCR news from their website....
Update 30th November 2020: Santa Express trains to continue as planned -

Following the announcement that our local area of Charnwood will be under Tier 3 restrictions from 2nd December until at least 16th December, we have been working with Charnwood Borough Council to confirm the situation with regard to our Santa and Winter Wonderlights trains.

We have been advised that today that our Santa trains can proceed as planned from Saturday 5th December.

We are awaiting final details from the local authority on any modifications that we may need to make to the services in order to comply with the new rules, and will publish details of any required changes as soon as possible.

We are delighted that services can continue, and very much look forward to welcoming you to the railway

That does sound like good news. Take care everyone.

Flying Phil · 6 Dec 2020

In "Main Line" #185 from the AGM Q & A Re. Leicester North latest developments?.
Answer from Michael Gough
"Environmental and archaeological site surveys have now been completed successfully and a plan is currently being prepared for the rectification of the environmental issues on site. Negotiations will recommence with the city and county councils once pressure on them from the Covid-19 pandemic has reduced."
Another question asked about double track south of Rothley
Answer from Michael Gough
"The prospects appear positive. We are currently seeking accurate costing for both track and signalling and will report on the progress in future issues of Main Line magazine."

Cowley · 6 Dec 2020

That’s really interesting about extending the double line Phil. Thanks for the updates.

Flying Phil · 15 Dec 2020

I see that the GCR is to be the focus of the next "Walking Britain's Lost Railways" with Rob Bell on C5 8 pm Friday 18th Dec. The previous episodes have been good with lots of local history included.

More good news from GCR "Rail Mail"

Winter Wonderlights - TWO NEW DATES ADDED - 27th and 28th December - We're delighted to confirm that our popular Winter Wonderlights experience is returning this year. See the Great Central Railway like you’ve never seen it before.

Christmas/ New Year running
The good news is that the Railway will now be running a public service between Loughborough Central and Leicester North on the following days:

Sunday, 27 and Monday, 28 December; Saturday, 2 January and Sunday, 3 January.

An excellent opportunity to escape the front room at home maybe but still find a Covid-safe environment in our traditional compartment/side corridor carriages. A key feature of our safety measures is for every visitor to pre book their compartment, online via the GCR website, which gives full details of timings and fares.

Flying Phil · 7 Jan 2021

Sadly the latest "Lock-down" put paid to the New Years running and all non - essential volunteer tasks have been cancelled with volunteers being asked not to come and sign on.
However in the latest Steam Railway magazine Mr Gough is quite positive about the prospect of double track Rothley to Leicester North and that "proposals for a major new rolling stock museum are "still live" and that......... we believe there is a way of delivering it in the near future".

Flying Phil · 5 Feb 2021

The scene outside the locomotive shed at Loughborough this week. On the left, boilers for 70013 Oliver Cromwell and 8F 48624. Centre 9F 92214 having superheater work and on the right, 7027 Thornbury Castle tender chassis and boiler, with Black 5 45491 boiler having cladding fitted.

Flying Phil · 25 Feb 2021

The superheater elements in 92214 have been replaced and the locomotives has been running.
More good news....from the GCR website -

Passenger trains return – from 17th April 2021

Weekend passenger trains are due to return to the Great Central Railway from Saturday 17th April 2021, as national coronavirus restrictions are relaxed!
Details are currently being finalised, but expect a steam-hauled service and a return of our beautifully restored compartment coaches to provide a comfortable journey in private compartments, with social distancing precautions in place.
We're really looking forward to welcoming you back to the railway soon!
More details will be published here in the coming days.

Great Central Railway News and Updates

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Passenger trains return – from 17th April 2021​

Passenger trains return – from 17th April 2021