Great Central Railway News and Updates

[Mr. SW]

Photo today at Loughborough South Junction just about to pull forward before reversing at about 18:08

 

[Ashley Hill]

There is good news re the "Gap" project, that the ground investigations have confirmed that there are no significant problems along the route with good ground rock 15 - 20m below the alluvial deposits.

Great news, will hopefully see some more progress soon.

 

[Amos390]

Glad I got a spot on the Footbridge in Ruddington for the departure, the 20 really gave it some out the station with the kettle on the back also puffing away, tooting as it goes. They had restricted platform access entirely at Ruddington to be only the people who got tickets for the footplate of FS or to ride Tornado, but that was to be expected. Also got news that apparently the 37 that was in the Car Park today is due to be completed by the end of the year, along with they're working on the 31 in the shed and 31240 that went to Burton Wetmore will return by the end of the year too. Some of my images of the departure are attached (Preview only working on one though, not sure why).

 

[HertiageFan]

Glad I got a spot on the Footbridge in Ruddington for the departure, the 20 really gave it some out the station with the kettle on the back also puffing away, tooting as it goes. They had restricted platform access entirely at Ruddington to be only the people who got tickets for the footplate of FS or to ride Tornado, but that was to be expected. Also got news that apparently the 37 that was in the Car Park today is due to be completed by the end of the year, along with they're working on the 31 in the shed and 31240 that went to Burton Wetmore will return by the end of the year too. Some of my images of the departure are attached (Preview only working on one though, not sure why).

How many coaches in the consist?

 

[WesternLancer]

Glad I got a spot on the Footbridge in Ruddington for the departure, the 20 really gave it some out the station with the kettle on the back also puffing away, tooting as it goes. They had restricted platform access entirely at Ruddington to be only the people who got tickets for the footplate of FS or to ride Tornado, but that was to be expected. Also got news that apparently the 37 that was in the Car Park today is due to be completed by the end of the year, along with they're working on the 31 in the shed and 31240 that went to Burton Wetmore will return by the end of the year too. Some of my images of the departure are attached (Preview only working on one though, not sure why).

Could you have bought a ticket to ride on the gate?

 

[Amos390]

How many coaches in the consist?

8, the consist was (Out of Ruddington) D8154, 4925, 4789, 5008, 9389, 4207, 16168, 13313, 80970, 60163/60103.

Could you have bought a ticket to ride on the gate?

I believe so, same point in which you buy tickets for the model rail show, they were selling off ride tickets, same price as what’s online.

 

[xotGD]

apparently the 37 that was in the Car Park today is due to be completed by the end of the year

Is that 009 or 108?

 

[WesternLancer]

I believe so, same point in which you buy tickets for the model rail show, they were selling off ride tickets, same price as what’s online.

Thank you. Helpful to know and probably saves the booking fee. Which I’d rather donate to a restoration project on site.

 

[Mr. SW]

Is there a timetable for these events? In the event I can't make it to Rudd, it would be handy catch the event st the Luff end.

 

[Amos390]

Is that 009 or 108?

I believe that'd be 009, it doesn't have it's number printed on the side yet though.

Is there a timetable for these events? In the event I can't make it to Rudd, it would be handy catch the event st the Luff end.

I can tell from the tickets that departures for Tornado and Scotsman are 1100, 1300, 1500, and each full journey takes around 1h30m, but there's nothing on the GCRN website that gives timings for anywhere inbetween, sorry.

 

[Mr. SW]

Thanks for info. Website is being updated and lacks info.

 

[Amos390]

Thanks for info. Website is being updated and lacks info.

Yeah, I thought that was meant to be done last night, ready for today, but it appears to have been pushed back a day or so.

I also notice that the Reunification ‘Bridging the Gap’ weekend isn’t on GCRNs website yet, but is in GCRs website, would’ve thought that’d be one of the bigger things to advertise.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 May 2026 ==

I’ve also just seen the loco roster for GCRs Autumn Diesel Gala, looking to be a screamer so far, hope both Deltics make it out, and maybe even a double header might be seen…

Autumn Diesel Gala

An epic weekend of diesel traction where our home fleet will be joined by guest locomotives for an intensive timetable.

www.gcrailway.co.uk

Gear up for an action-packed weekend at our annual Autumn Diesel Gala! Our home fleet will be joined by visiting guest locomotives, offering the chance to ride behind an impressive range of traction.

This event is a highlight in any diesel enthusiast’s calendar and a great day out for families, as we start off the new season with a weekend of diesel traction.

We’re delighted to announce the first guest for this event will be Class 33, 33103 curtesy of Nemesis Rail and the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway. We’re already excited to pair 33103 with classmate D6535 (33116)....

 

[amahy]

I’ve also just seen the loco roster for GCRs Autumn Diesel Gala, looking to be a screamer so far, hope both Deltics make it out, and maybe even a double header might be seen…

They’ll be lucky if 55019 makes it out, it’s having an electrical overhaul and corrosion work. Although it will be the Deltic Preservation Society’s only loco at the depot over the Summer, so who knows!

 

[Amos390]

They’ll be lucky if 55019 makes it out, it’s having an electrical overhaul and corrosion work. Although it will be the Deltic Preservation Society’s only loco at the depot over the Summer, so who knows!

Is that being done at Barrow?

 

[amahy]

Is that being done at Barrow?

Yes, at the DPS depot at Barrow Hill.

 

[Amos390]

Yes, at the DPS depot at Barrow Hill.

OK thanks, hope they can get it fixed up by the gala then.

 

[WesternLancer]

8, the consist was (Out of Ruddington) D8154, 4925, 4789, 5008, 9389, 4207, 16168, 13313, 80970, 60163/60103.

I believe so, same point in which you buy tickets for the model rail show, they were selling off ride tickets, same price as what’s online.

Yes. All good. They were happily selling unsold spaces on the entrance point today.
Also £10 upgrade to travel in the inspection saloon which I did. Well worth it in my view.
It wasn’t overcrowded today.

All very good value as the model railway exhibition was great plus plenty to see with the buses on display etc

Very pleasant trip down to Loughborough and back.

Well done to all involved.

Still spaces on some of the coming Scotsman hauled services. If you are happy with the ticket price I’d recommend it.

 

[Mr. SW]

Photo: today at Loughborough.

Stanford Viaduct 13:43. Tornado backing.

 

[37114]

I believe that'd be 009, it doesn't have it's number printed on the side yet though.

009 is the Blue one, would be great to see it finished

 

[DarloRich]

flickr link awaited Darlo!

Apolgies - it has taken a long time as there have been things going on family wise but here you go:

Great Central Railway Diesel Gala April 2026

Explore this photo album by MKDarlo (Richard) on Flickr!

flic.kr

 

[3RDGEN]

OK thanks, hope they can get it fixed up by the gala then.

55019 is not due to return until 2027, it's having overhaul activities and fitment of equipment for mainline certification. Details below;

"https://www.thedps.co.uk/post/55019-maintenance-report" - "55019 returned to Barrow Hill at the end of October 2025 as planned with the engineering team. This was to allow us the longest possible time to get the locomotive ready for 2027.

Once the locomotive was on shed the team began a series of exams to ascertain the current condition of the locomotive and its various systems.

 

[Amos390]

55019 is not due to return until 2027, it's having overhaul activities and fitment of equipment for mainline certification. Details below;

Huh, interesting that they’ve listed it for the gala, maybe a miscommunication?

 

[matt]

Huh, interesting that they’ve listed it for the gala, maybe a miscommunication?

Where have you seen it advertised? The website only lists D9015 "Tuylar" https://www.gcrailway.co.uk/visit/events/20260903-autumn-diesel-gala/

After 35 years out of service, D9015 will be making its debut return to passenger service during the event – a historic moment in preservation history not to be missed! Appearing courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society.

 

[Amos390]

Where have you seen it advertised? The website only lists D9015 "Tuylar" https://www.gcrailway.co.uk/visit/events/20260903-autumn-diesel-gala/

It's listed under the home fleet

 

[xotGD]

"35 years out of service" is not correct. I last had Tulyar 30 years ago.

 

[Amos390]

Looks like Scotsman and Torndado will be leaving on the 02/06, with a SLC/Railadventure light loco move planned in, arriving Hotchley Hill at 0959. Is coming from Kings Norton so may well be a pair of HSTs, here’s the timetable: https://live.rail-record.co.uk/train.php/?c=R45790&d=2026-06-02

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 May 2026 ==

Just seen that Scotsman is due to go to the ELR from the 3rd June to the 14th June, and wondered whether she’ll go straight from GCRN to ELR, meaning that this HST service by rail adventure will be only to pick up Tornado, and that Tornado and Scotsman will not go out together. Would also make sense as to why it’s RailAdventure (Tornado’s usual operator) and not DB (FS’s usual operator and what they ran under on the way in).

 

[yorkshirerail]

Looks like Scotsman and Torndado will be leaving on the 02/06, with a SLC/Railadventure light loco move planned in, arriving Hotchley Hill at 0959. Is coming from Kings Norton so may well be a pair of HSTs, here’s the timetable: https://live.rail-record.co.uk/train.php/?c=R45790&d=2026-06-02

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 May 2026 ==

Just seen that Scotsman is due to go to the ELR from the 3rd June to the 14th June, and wondered whether she’ll go straight from GCRN to ELR, meaning that this HST service by rail adventure will be only to pick up Tornado, and that Tornado and Scotsman will not go out together. Would also make sense as to why it’s RailAdventure (Tornado’s usual operator) and not DB (FS’s usual operator and what they ran under on the way in).

The power cars are definitely taken Scotsman as there is a move out of Castleton Heywood Ground Frame later that same day from raildventure. Don’t know whether Tornado will go with it part of the way or not

 

[Amos390]

The power cars are definitely taken Scotsman as there is a move out of Castleton Heywood Ground Frame later that same day from raildventure. Don’t know whether Tornado will go with it part of the way or not

Ah OK thanks, odd that it’s under RailAdventure then and not DB, as for Tornado, possibly will be dropped off somewhere like Toton?

 

[yorkshirerail]

Ah OK thanks, odd that it’s under RailAdventure then and not DB, as for Tornado, possibly will be dropped off somewhere like Toton?

Yes potentially could be. I guess we will find out in the coming days

 

[Amos390]

Yes potentially could be. I guess we will find out in the coming days

Yeah, although with it being a Scotsman timetable, probably not until the few days before.