Great Central Railway News and Updates

[DarloRich]

https://www.gcrailway.co.uk/visit/events/20260424-spring-diesel-gala/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRUmrtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80MDk5NjI2MjMwODU2MDkAAR5Zjz7tTqdWWazkthjLH9Ik8GJw-QfWWmaBK5O5udECglfQ4h2Y-tFSaHwzrQ_aem__JOXYroC9sqsFph1Rn7tnw

You'll be delighted to hear that there will now be a free bus service on Friday and Saturday, only announced this afternoon. Timetable on attached link, as well as one or two other updated attractions.

Excellent. Hope the op’s friend could use this as the buses are always interesting.

All credit to the bus operators for this!

that is great news - thanks! ( unlike me he is a bus man so will be pleased with this!)

 

[ChrisC]

Yes. Quite a long stretch of public footpath beside the line that commences in nearby villages about a mile from the line. Those are rights of way.
Easy to see on OS maps inc points where paths cross the line. But the path follows the line side fence for a decent length.

It‘s an area where I have done lots of walks and have walked most of the public footpaths. The footpath heading south from Ruddington runs right beside the line-side fence for around 2 miles and will,provide very good views. To avoid any parking problems or crowds around Ruddington it can be reached over the fields along footpaths from the nearby villages of Gotham, Bradmore or Bunny. All 3 villages are served by regular buses from both Nottingham and Loughborough.

 

[WesternLancer]

It‘s an area where I have done lots of walks and have walked most of the public footpaths. The footpath heading south from Ruddington runs right beside the line-side fence for around 2 miles and will,provide very good views. To avoid any parking problems or crowds around Ruddington it can be reached over the fields along footpaths from the nearby villages of Gotham, Bradmore or Bunny. All 3 villages are served by regular buses from both Nottingham and Loughborough.

Thanks. Yes that was my hunch. Great that you can confirm it.

 

[Amos390]

A question, how long is Tulyar meant to stay at GCR, obviously it was meant to feature at this weekends Diesel gala but had to pull out, will it still be here for the Autumn Diesel gala or not?

 

[3RDGEN]

A question, how long is Tulyar meant to stay at GCR, obviously it was meant to feature at this weekends Diesel gala but had to pull out, will it still be here for the Autumn Diesel gala or not?

The recent DPS Press Release says it is planned to be at the GCR Diesel Gala in September if the testing goes to plan;

"https://www.thedps.co.uk/post/d9015-55009-march-april-press-release", - "We expect D9015 to begin its testing at the GCR sometime later in May and we are then planning to have a members day for D9015 at the GCR followed by a celebratory “Tulyar Returns” weekend before its first gala appearance at the GCR Diesel Gala in September."

 

[Amos390]

The recent DPS Press Release says it is planned to be at the GCR Diesel Gala in September if the testing goes to plan;

"https://www.thedps.co.uk/post/d9015-55009-march-april-press-release", - "We expect D9015 to begin its testing at the GCR sometime later in May and we are then planning to have a members day for D9015 at the GCR followed by a celebratory “Tulyar Returns” weekend before its first gala appearance at the GCR Diesel Gala in September."

Nice, thanks. Hope to catch it then.

 

[Dave Bower]

There's another opportunity to take a look around the unique Test Car 2 this weekend at Quorn during the GCRs Diesel Gala. Drop by at the south end of Quorn & Woodhouse station yard to find out how and why BR carried out Slip/Brake testing.

 

[Amos390]

Just gone to look at GCRN for the events (mainly news on the reunification advertised on GCRs website), and seen they’ve got a new website with a countdown for 3 weeks, and I have to say, it looks nice from what they’ve done so far: https://www.gcrn.co.uk/comingsoon

 

[duffield]

Just gone to look at GCRN for the events (mainly news on the reunification advertised on GCRs website), and seen they’ve got a new website with a countdown for 3 weeks, and I have to say, it looks nice from what they’ve done so far: https://www.gcrn.co.uk/comingsoon

Seems to have the same feel as the GCR (Loughborough) website, maybe designed by the same people, which makes sense as the two GCRs become closer pre re-unification.

 

[DarloRich]

The GCR gala this past weekend was really enjoyable. Lovely weather and lots of diesel action!

 

[ac6000cw]

The GCR gala this past weekend was really enjoyable. Lovely weather and lots of diesel action!

I agree - was there yesterday, the Hymek in particular was great, especially the double-header with the cl. 14 at the end of the afternoon (the two drivers were not holding back and the sound was fantastic!).

 

[DarloRich]

I agree - was there yesterday, the Hymek in particular was great, especially the double-header with the cl. 14 at the end of the afternoon (the two drivers were not holding back and the sound was fantastic!).

silly western things ruin it for me.

I haven't travelled behind a Hymek for a long time so it was nice to do so in quite relaxed circumstances. Yesterday was nice and calm, no top men, limited silly spotters, a few over exuberant youth teamers and only a couple of elderly photographers complaining about people daring to visit a preserved railway and not understanding how important the phots were!

it was a nice ambience and a lovely day. I will have some pictures on my Flickr in due course.

 

[WesternLancer]

silly western things ruin it for me.

I haven't travelled behind a Hymek for a long time so it was nice to do so in quite relaxed circumstances. Yesterday was nice and calm, no top men, limited silly spotters, a few over exuberant youth teamers and only a couple of elderly photographers complaining about people daring to visit a preserved railway and not understanding how important the phots were!

it was a nice ambience and a lovely day. I will have some pictures on my Flickr in due course.

flickr link awaited Darlo!

 

[Amos390]

Is there any news on when Tornado and Scotsman will move into GCRN from the Mainline (wherever they come from), and will coaching stock for the events be sourced by GCRN or an external source, and if so will those come in by rail too and when?

 

[yorkshirerail]

Is there any news on when Tornado and Scotsman will move into GCRN from the Mainline (wherever they come from), and will coaching stock for the events be sourced by GCRN or an external source, and if so will those come in by rail too and when?

Looks like the move could be happening on Friday 15th May
Tornado comes down from North Road to York NRM in the morning so it would make sense if then they went down together in the afternoon to the GCRN. Also currently no timings which does suggest that Scotsman is on it

 

[Amos390]

Looks like the move could be happening on Friday 15th May
Tornado comes down from North Road to York NRM in the morning so it would make sense if then they went down together in the afternoon to the GCRN. Also currently no timings which does suggest that Scotsman is on it

ok thank, had a look, seems as if 5Z63 is Torndado into NRM around half 1, also any news on what stock will be used and where it will be sourced (if from an external group)?

 

[matt]

ok thank, had a look, seems as if 5Z63 is Torndado into NRM around half 1, also any news on what stock will be used and where it will be sourced (if from an external group)?

I expect they will use the coaches based at Ruddington.

 

[Amos390]

I expect they will use the coaches based at Ruddington.

Ah ok, when I saw the tickets issued I wasn’t sure if Ruddington actually had the stock to facilitate those, but I suppose they have them somewhere. I have also heard that apparently D8 ‘Penyghent’ will be joining the rear of the train, is that correct?

 

[Keet]

Glad I saw this thread I've been on rtt tonight and came across the 5Z63, googled it and saw Tornado used it a few months back, so hoping that means it'll move together with Flying Scotsman.

Hoping to catch this movement on erewash valley line if at a reasonable time. Do you think it would come that way?

 

[Amos390]

Glad I saw this thread I've been on rtt tonight and came across the 5Z63, googled it and saw Tornado used it a few months back, so hoping that means it'll move together with Flying Scotsman.

Hoping to catch this movement on erewash valley line if at a reasonable time. Do you think it would come that way?

Well, seen as Tornado only arrives into York at half 1, say they were to leave at 2, judging off current freight timetables that call at York and Loughborough (going via Donny, Chesterfield and Erewash Valley), it’ll take around 2-2.5 hours to compete the journey, as for the route, no telling, all depends on what orientation they want the locos to be in Ruddington.

 

[LRV3004]

The GCR gala this past weekend was really enjoyable. Lovely weather and lots of diesel action!

A bit late to the party but I’ll chuck in my views! Attended the diesel gala on the Sunday and found it to be a brilliant event! While the day started out chilly and dull, it brightened up and became really warm and pleasant. There were plenty of locos out I’d not had before so was happy to get them in the book (37714 being my main objective), and I particularly enjoyed the 101 being used as hauled stock; was still plenty of room on board despite being shorter than a typical loco-hauled rake! One move I regret not doing was 37714 hauling the 101; I let that go in favour of doing D6700 behind when in hindsight I should have done 37714 and then done D6700 after, which I finished the gala with!
On a side note, I was also glad to get M79900 “Iris” as I was unable to attend the East Lancs DMU gala last year, and when I went for “Iris” when it worked the diesel diagram there a few days after, it failed! I think it may have failed at the GCR gala too, as an announcement made at Quorn & Woodhouse said a service (which was due to be worked by “Iris”) was cancelled; this was around 1530 I think?
A brilliant day out though, and definitely considering returning for the September event!

 

[ac6000cw]

I think it may have failed at the GCR gala too, as an announcement made at Quorn & Woodhouse said a service (which was due to be worked by “Iris”) was cancelled; this was around 1530 I think?

I was travelling on it when it failed - one of the two engines kept shutting down (a typical problem with Mk 1 DMUs in BR days, so true to prototype ).

But there's nothing like a ride on a Mk 1 DMU to take me back 50 years - they just ooze nostalgia.

 

[Mr. SW]

I particularly enjoyed the 101 being used as hauled stock

Photo: Double Delight at the Diesel Do on the Sunday. Class 15 and Class 101 at the Woodhouse Bridge. Just gone 1330.

 

[LRV3004]

I was travelling on it when it failed - one of the two engines kept shutting down (a typical problem with Mk 1 DMUs in BR days, so true to prototype ).

But there's nothing like a ride on a Mk 1 DMU to take me back 50 years - they just ooze nostalgia.

I think that was the same issue it suffered during its turn on the diesel diagram at the East Lancs; it only made it from Bury to Heywood and back on its first trip, and I did hear the staff mentioning something about “one engine”!

 

[yorkshirerail]

Does anyone know if Scotsman and Tornado have ever double headed before or will this be the first time it’s ever happened when they go to the GCRN

Thanks

 

[Amos390]

Does anyone know if Scotsman and Tornado have ever double headed before or will this be the first time it’s ever happened when they go to the GCRN

Thanks

Not a clue, however I know it’s definitely not a frequent occurrence, bet the footbridge at Rushcliffe Park over the tracks will be rammed

 

[yorkshirerail]

Not a clue, however I know it’s definitely not a frequent occurrence, bet the footbridge at Rushcliffe Park over the tracks will be rammed

Yeah I shall definitely be chasing it all the way if I can if the path allows it

 

[Amos390]

Yeah I shall definitely be chasing it all the way if I can if the path allows it

All I can tell is that it will probably leave NRM around Quarter to 2 until 2 o'clock, off of estimates, with Tornado arriving into NRM at half 1, give half an hour to couple up and sort the support coaches out was my reasoning.

 

[yorkshirerail]

All I can tell is that it will probably leave NRM around Quarter to 2 until 2 o'clock, off of estimates, with Tornado arriving into NRM at half 1, give half an hour to couple up and sort the support coaches out was my reasoning.

Yeah I would guess between 2 and 3 it would leave and get to GCRN around 5:30 to 6

 

[Amos390]

Yeah I would guess between 2 and 3 it would leave and get to GCRN around 5:30 to 6

I am keeping my eye out for a timetable, will post to this as soon as one appears.