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Great Central Railway

  • ‘Manor’ in impressive form at GCR ‘spectacular’

    ‘Manor’ in impressive form at GCR ‘spectacular’

    by

    Sam Hewitt

    –

    ERLESTOKE Manor Fund’s Collett 4-6-0 No. 7802 Bradley Manor showed audiences at the Great Central Railway’s Winter Steam Gala just why the type is held in such high regard, putting in some impressive turns at the January 25-27 event. The Severn Valley Railway-based locomotive took its turn at the head of passenger and freight and non-stop…

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  • Pontypool leases 16-tonners from Great Central Railway in 10-year deal

    Pontypool leases 16-tonners from Great Central Railway in 10-year deal

    by

    Sam Hewitt

    –

    SURPLUS 16-ton mineral wagons from the Great Central Railway’s ‘Windcutter’ fleet have been given a new home at the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway (P&BR). Six of the ex-BR wagons, which are not required for the GCR’s demonstration rake, arrived in South Wales on January 3, courtesy of the David Clarke Railway Trust.  The wagons have…

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  • Saving a main line railway: a remarkable achievement!

    by

    Sam Hewitt

    –

    50 years ago this year, the first seeds were sown in a bid to save a section of the Great Central Railway in Leicestershire. Graham Oliver, the railway’s former chief executive, recalls those early days of an embryo scheme which has subsequently blossomed into the country’s only double-track main line preserved railway.  As 1968 progressed…

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  • ‘Screaming Valentas’ tour raises more than £21,000 for HST depot

    ‘Screaming Valentas’ tour raises more than £21,000 for HST depot

    by

    Sam Hewitt

    –

    EAST Midlands Trains took one of its ex-Grand Central 2+6 High Speed Train sets from Derby to Ruddington on the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) on November 17. At Ruddington one of the power cars was switched for the National Railway Museum’s prototype HST power car No. 41001. The sold-out train was organised jointly by EMT, the…

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  • ‘Manor’ and ‘8F’ lined up for Great Central winter gala

    ‘Manor’ and ‘8F’ lined up for Great Central winter gala

    by

    Sam Hewitt

    –

    THE sound of a GWR ‘Manor’ will echo again over the Great Central Railway for the first time in four years when No. 7802 Bradley Manor visits for the January 25-27 Winter Steam Gala. The Erlestoke Manor Fund 4-6-0 has been confirmed as the star guest at the GCR’s curtain raiser, making the short journey across…

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  • ‘Witherslack’ takes ‘Santa’ strain at SVR

    ‘Witherslack’ takes ‘Santa’ strain at SVR

    by

    Sam Hewitt

    –

    GREAT Central Railway-based Hawksworth ‘Modified Hall’ No. 6990 Witherslack Hall made a successful return to the Severn Valley Railway during December to help with the festive season traffic(RM Dec). The Locomotive Exchanges veteran crosses Bewdley South Viaduct with a ‘Santa Special’ on December 9. JOHN TITLOW Read more News and Features in the January 2019 issue…

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  • Weardale getting readyfor the Christmas rush

    Weardale getting readyfor the Christmas rush

    by

    Sam Hewitt

    –

    THE Weardale Railway is again running the ‘Train to Christmas Town’ this year. An e.c.s. train was run on November 14 to move the Class 31s and coaching stock from Wolsingham depot to Stanhope. This comprised Nos. 31190 and 31459, 10 Mk2 coaches and No. 31465 on the rear. The train is seen with No. 31190 at the head,…

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  • ‘O4’ becomes a ‘ROD’ for GCR’s remembrance weekend

    ‘O4’ becomes a ‘ROD’ for GCR’s remembrance weekend

    by

    Sam Hewitt

    –

    GREAT Central Railway-based Robinson ‘O4’ 2-8-0 No. 63601 took centre stage at the railway’s Great War, Great Central weekend on November 10-11, six years after being withdrawn from service. The 1911-built former ‘8K’ had its BR identity replaced with that of the Railway Operating Division (ROD), with the legend ‘ROD 1912’ on its tender and the…

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  • 45305 returns for GCR’s Last Hurrah

    45305 returns for GCR’s Last Hurrah

    by

    Sam Hewitt

    –

    WORKSHOP staff and 5305 Locomotive Association (5305LA) volunteers put in a sterling effort to ensure the group’s flagship locomotive – ‘Black Five’ No. 45305 Alderman E Draper – was fit to run at the Great Central Railway’s Last Hurrah weekend on November 17-18 following the completion of its overhaul. The annual event is an opportunity…

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  • Converted Class 769s set for Northern debut in New Year

    Converted Class 769s set for Northern debut in New Year

    by

    Sam Hewitt

    –

    TESTING of Class 769 ‘Flex’ bi-mode trains converted from former Thameslink Class 319s has now reached an advanced stage, with production of sets for Northern, Transport for Wales and GWR set to ramp up over the coming months. The two pre-production sets – Nos. 769434 and 769456 – have been undergoing dynamic testing at the Great Central…

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