Recent years has seen the Great Central Railway's annual 'Winter Steam Gala' become the curtain raiser for the Heritage Railway season. The 2016 event was no exception, with the theme for this year's event being the Southern Region. Fitting the bill were the two star guests, arriving in the shape of SR Rebuilt Battle of Britain No. 34053 'Sir Keith Park' and SR U Class No. 31806. Both were making the visit to Loughborough from their bases on the Severn Valley and Swanage Railways respectively. They would be joined by a strong home fleet of engines, featuring GWR Modified Hall No. 6990 'Witherslack Hall', LMS 8F No. 48624, LMS Black Five No. 45305, LMS Ivatt 2MT No. 46521, LMS Jinty No. 47406 and SR King Arthur Class No. 777 'Sir Lamiel'. Also joining the party was BR 9F No. 92214, which was running as 92220 'Evening Star' - the very last steam locomotive to be built for British Railways, in March 1960.
The Gala would include an intensive timetable, with passenger trains running alongside a variation of demonstration freight services. In addition, Travelling Post Office demonstrations would take place at Quorn & Woodhouse at certain points during the weekend - these have proven to be popular from previous Galas.
The lineup for the event:
Visiting:
- SR Rebuilt Battle of Britain 4-6-2 No. 34053 'Sir Keith Park' (Severn Valley Railway)
- SR U Class 2-6-0 No. 31806 (Swanage Railway)
Home:
- BR 9F 2-10-0 No. 92214 (Running as 92220 'Evening Star')
- GWR Modified Hall 4-6-0 No. 6990 'Witherslack Hall'
- LMS 8F 2-8-0 No. 48624
- LMS Black Five 4-6-0 No. 45305
- LMS Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 No. 46521
- LMS Jinty 3F 0-6-0T No. 47406
- SR N15 King Arthur Class 4-6-0 No. 777 'Sir Lamiel'
Note: 47406 does not feature.
This video captures the event across all three days, featuring all of the TPO runs - which can be seen towards the end of the video.
All scenes were captured over the 29th - 31st January 2016.
Timestamps:
00:00 Title Card
00:20 34053 'Sir Keith Park'
06:29 31806 & 34053 'Sir Keith Park'
08:27 31806
14:43 777 'Sir Lamiel'
17:15 6990 'Witherslack Hall'
23:18 92220 'Evening Star'
27:18 48624
32:11 45305
35:10 45305 & 34053 'Sir Keith Park'
37:35 46521
41:12 Travelling Post Office Trains
Shots included:
- 34053: Loughborough, Charnwood (x2), Woodthorpe (x2), Buddon Lane, Rothley and Quorn & Woodhouse (Freight)
- 31806 & 34053: Charnwood and Quorn & Woodhouse
- 31806: Charnwood, Leicester Road, Woodthorpe, Quorn & Woodhouse, Buddon Lane, Rothley and Quorn & Woodhouse (Tender First)
- 777: Leicester Road, Woodthorpe and Quorn & Woodhouse
- 6990: Charnwood, Leicester Road, Woodthorpe, Quorn & Woodhouse, Buddon Lane, Charnwood (Freight) and Woodthorpe (Windcutters)
- 92214: Quorn & Woodhouse, Woodthorpe and Quorn & Woodhouse (x2)
- 48624: Charnwood, Woodthorpe, Quorn & Woodhouse, Buddon Lane, Leicester Road and Quorn & Woodhouse
- 45305: Woodthorpe and Quorn & Woodhouse (x2)
- 45305 & 34053: Charnwood and Quorn & Woodhouse
- 46521: Charnwood, Quorn & Woodhouse (x2) and Buddon Lane
Travelling Post Office:
- 31806: Woodthorpe and Quorn & Woodhouse
- 34053: Quorn & Woodhouse (x2)
- 6990: Quorn & Woodhouse
A truly fantastic event, with some phenomenal performances on the TPOs! Special thanks go to the volunteers and the involved organisations for making this event possible. As the saying goes, same time next year?
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