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Volume 8 Number 7

GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

February 13 2013

From the General Manager

Just a brief report this week, possibly to the relief of many! Midweek running for half-term

will see 46521 out for three days and performing well so far. Tuesday, saw a very

worthwhile number of visitors but Wednesday’s snow caused a significant drop in numbers.

Nevertheless, whenever trains run, the cafe numbers respond well which makes the whole

effort a success. Besides Thursday’s daytime service, the evening will see our Valentine

Pullman running (fully booked as always) so not exactly a quiet week at GCR.

The ‘N2’ has left us today for a stint at East Lancashire Railway but, possibly of greater

significance, we've had detailed discussions with our Great Western Society friends from

Didcot which will see us running King Edward II over the coming months. Look out for

details, but this coming weekend, 16/ 17 February will be the next steaming.

Richard Patching

Projects update

The Loughborough canopy has leapt forward this week with great progress on 2 fronts. On

phase 3b, the strip-out has been completed with all the old glass and timbers gone leaving

just the bare frame. This has meant a complete change-around of the prop-posts which

have been relocated northwards, and temporary props inserted at the southern end. The

station clock on platform 1 has also been relocated. On phase 3a, the glazing has started

with nearly 2 bays completed, so the end of that area is very close, and then the temporary

props can come out. Much happening!

Tony Sparks



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MEET PEPPA & GEORGE - 9th & 10th March

Join Peppa and her little brother George for an exciting day out for all the family.

This is the sixth time that Peppa and George have come to the railway and they loved it so

much they’re coming again. You can meet Peppa and have your photo taken with her and

then meet George and have your photo taken with him too! There are lots of lovely things

to see and do, funfair rides to play on, a miniature railway and to keep you nice and dry we

have even put up a special marquee where you can magic and tricks with Mr Twister. Take

a ride on the big steam train, choo choo, and for an extra special treat why not get your

face painted just like Peppa’s, OINK OINK

BOOK YOUR TICKETS ON LINE NOW, VISIT: http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/special-events/

Branch Line Society/ GCR Track Visit - 17 March 2013

Our friends at the Branch Line Society will be chartering a special train on Sunday 17th

March 2013. Departing at 08:00, and due to conclude by 12:00, they are delighted to offer

what is believed to be the most comprehensive “track bash” of GCR infrastructure. It is

intended that either a 2 or 3 car DMU formation is used. The proposed route is as follows:

Depart Loughborough Central Platform 1 - Quorn and Woodhouse Up Reception North -

Quorn and Woodhouse Up reception South, via North crossover - Quorn and

Woodhouse turntable road - Quorn and Woodhouse cattle dock road - Swithland Up

Loop - Swithland head shunt - Swithland Up Loop - Swithland Up Main, via double slip -

Rothley Up Platform - Rothley C&W yard - Leicester North platform to EOL – Leicester

North Bay platform, via South end of loop - Loughborough Down Loop via Swithland

Down Loop - Loughborough Shed Road 1 - Loughborough Platform 1 North –

Loughborough Shed Road 2 - Up Through siding South - Carriage siding 1, via Down loop -

Loughborough Platform 2 North via Shed Road 1.

As usual a track map, stock list and souvenir ticket will be provided to aid enjoyment of the

day. Note that passengers will be required to sign a short disclaimer as a condition of participation in this event.

The event will operate at a fare of £22 per person for members of the Branch Line Society,

£27 non-members. To book your place, please forward a cheque payable to “Branch Line

Society” to Kev Adlam, 53 Kemble Close, Wistaston, Crewe. CW2 6XN, providing an

email address where possible. Any queries should be addressed to Kev Adlam preferably

by email to [email protected] or by telephone 20:00 to 21:00 Monday to Friday

on 01270 662396. The fixture is expected to fill quickly so do please book promptly if you

are interested. An opportunity for a supporting fixture in the afternoon is being pursued,

and if successful further details will be provided.

Richard Patching

http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/special-events/

mailto:[email protected]



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Leicestershire area group

March 8

Steam in the Snow Les Nixon

Wintry scenes from pre-60’s to the present

century in the U.K. and worldwide.

Northamptonshire area group

March 6

Last years of BR steam Roger Jones

Slide show from the last 5 years of BR

All meeting are held at St. Bartholomews

Church Hall, Church Lane, Quorn, near

Loughborough, starting at 19.30.

Free admittance, although donations welcome to

defray costs. Refreshments available during the

interval.

Any enquiries to John Calton on 016 2676909,

Keith Satterly 0116 2530990 or Peter Hack

01509 261094

All meetings are held at Weston Favell

Parish Hall, junction of Booth Lane and

Wellingborough Road, Northampton,

NN3 3EP, starting at 19:30.

Free admittance, although donations

welcome to defray costs. Refreshments

available.

Any enquiries to Tony Hemmings 01536

514341

Shed news

Oliver Cromwell is nearly there, after quite an extensive winter overhaul of the motion,

pistons and valves. On Wednesday there was just one flue tube, and about 15 smalls, to be

inserted. Then down in the machine shop Mick is addressing a significant piece of metal in

the shape of a cast iron cylinder, on the vertical borer. The fact that he has a cracked valve

liner on the floor beside the machine would suggest that he is making a replacement, but

there is almighty amount of metal to remove on the way. Then when he has the diameters

right for a reasonable interference fit, he has to machine the ports, which are (and should

be!) of irregular shape, by a combination of drilling and milling.

Further back in the shed Gervase, the Sentinel shunter is firmly lowered onto its wheels,

and Andy Morgan has painted it in Oxford Blue, and is just finishing the lining out. If you get

the chance, have a look at the mechanical lubricating gear on the left side, which is all new.

The linkages would do justice to a Victorian pumping station.

Goodbye in three weeks to James Hazell, our first home grown time served apprentice for

many years, who is leaving us for the comfort and warmth of East Midlands Trains at

Derby. I am sure that we all wish him well, but would rather he stayed with us. I

understand that he is to work four long rotating shifts, which will give him lots of time to

come back as a volunteer!

The frozen finger brigade are still persevering with the Standard 5, the firebox front laps of

which had defective rivets, I am now ready for the first half to receive patch screws. Also

the bending of superheater elements continues remorselessly in the North yard.

On my way home I counted the locos lined up in the yard, every one outside was

serviceable, and there were seven of them. Namely the ‘King’, Lamiel, the Red 8, the ‘N2’,

the Ivatt and Standard 2s, and the ‘Jinty’ - what riches! Then somewhere there is the GW

38xx, making eight. The only thing is that the owners will be complaining that they are not

getting their running days.



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Locos for the weekend are the ‘N2’, which is shortly going away for quite a bit of the spring

and summer, and the Ivatt 2.

No news next week, as I shall not be down at the shed to fabricate, no, I mean gather, it.

David Mathews

From John Hession

Dear Mr. Ford,

I write having recently re-read your report in Main Line of Spring 2012. In particular your

comments on the catering on the GCR are relevant.

I have been a (small) shareholder of the railway since about 1976 and (particularly since

retirement in 1993) a visitor. I generally get to galas, which I always enjoy. The crowds

really give a buzz, with so many people on the platforms and the trains as they enjoy

themselves quietly – and spending money. Sadly I have not been able to visit the railway for

the past three years for a number of reasons, although I hope to resume visiting this year.

My reason for writing is that on the 5th January, for the first time, I used the dining service –

or should that read Dining Service? This is something I promised myself for a long time, and

the visit from Australia of the mother in law of my elder daughter proved to be the trigger

for this most enjoyable day.

The lady who is 85 was here for the pre-Christmas wedding of her favourite grand-

daughter, and my wife and I usually take her out when she is here for anything typically

English. At this time of the year everything is closed until spring and so a visit to the GCR

and lunch on the train was welcome.

We enjoyed everything about the visit. On the way to Loughborough we visited the Butler

Henderson cafe at Quorn for coffee. It reminds me of wartime days and of much rail travel on National Service in the troubled years 1947-1949. It is a good idea for Butler Henderson

to be easily open for passing traffic – it might even encourage them to visit and join the

railway. (Since starting this letter this morning I have received my latest FOGCML

Newsletter which tells me that the two platform cafes are to remain open – good.)

On arrival at Loughborough I was delighted to be met by a smiling young lady (always nice)

AND the red carpet. Made me feel important for once. The Inspector saw us taking

photographs and took one of our party of four – my wife and I, our eldest daughter and her

mother in law. And after the journey a lady who appeared to be working on the train took

another picture of us in front of the station sign. Little personal kindnesses like this make a

tremendous difference to a winter day out.

We enjoyed the pause at the reservoir, and the food and service on board were excellent.

Everything seemed to me to reflect well upon the railway, and I am proud to be a member.

I hope the message of this letter can be conveyed to all those on duty that day – they all did



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very well. I look forward to getting along to Loughborough again this year and to enjoying

another celebration aboard the Dining Service.

Yours sincerely,

John Hession.

From David Swan

Dear Mr. Ford,

I attended the Royal Occasion event on Saturday 26th January, and when I got back home, I

felt that I should write to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone involved in what turned out in

my opinion to be a memorable, splendid and enjoyable occasion. Since the signaling was

commissioned at Swithland, full advantage seems to have been taken of the opportunities

the increased facilitates provided. It will be much appreciated if you would kindly pass on

my appreciation to everyone involved. The staff and volunteers appeared to put themselves

out to create a wonderful occasion.

However, I feel I should draw your attention to the fact that the driveway up from the main

road was very slippery and when walking up there from the ‘bus stop on the approach to

Birstall it was like walking on ice. I wonder if on future occasions when there is ice on the

drive itself, a member of the staff could put some grit on the surface to make it safer

bearing in mind there is now a café very near the top of the approach to the station itself.

When I arrived just after nine thirty, the station staff were busy clearing the platforms as

they were very treacherous and it is to all credit to them for the hard work they put in. I

must admit that the experience I had in the morning I returned home by train from

Loughborough Midland.

Again, very many thanks for a wonderful gala that took place on the Saturday 26th January,

you have now set even higher standards for future galas.

Yours sincerely,

David Swan.

If you have any news or photos you’d like included in the weekly newsletter, please forward to

[email protected] by 10.30am Wednesday. © GCR Plc. 2013

mailto:[email protected]

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