Great Central Railway - News and "Stuff"
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Great news in a press release from the GCR
"92214 to remain at the Great Central Railway!
We’re delighted to announce the successful outcome of negotiations enabling prized loco no 92214 to remain at its Great Central Railway home.
In mid-2022, the loco’s owner, indicated a wish to secure its longer term future. As a result, negotiations began with a view to 92214 staying at GCR. Chairman Richard Patching comments: “Negotiations can’t always be rapid and maintaining confidentiality for everyone is paramount; nevertheless, the discussions proved to be positive and cordial throughout, leading to a most successful outcome for all parties. Patience pays off and I’m sure all GCR supporters will welcome the result.”
The owner felt an important factor was that 92214 should remain at GCR where it will be well looked after and continue to play its part as a true main line loco on a double track railway.
The loco is an ex British Railways 9F 2-10-0 tender loco – a type designed in the 1950s specifically for hauling heavy freight trains, but also often used on passenger trains. Locos of this class were employed extensively on GCR until the mid-1960s which coincided with the line’s rundown/ closure by British Railways.
The acquisition has been achieved by the GCR’s supporting charity David Clarke Railway Trust becoming its owner, and financed with the help of a benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous".
"92214 to remain at the Great Central Railway!
We’re delighted to announce the successful outcome of negotiations enabling prized loco no 92214 to remain at its Great Central Railway home.
In mid-2022, the loco’s owner, indicated a wish to secure its longer term future. As a result, negotiations began with a view to 92214 staying at GCR. Chairman Richard Patching comments: “Negotiations can’t always be rapid and maintaining confidentiality for everyone is paramount; nevertheless, the discussions proved to be positive and cordial throughout, leading to a most successful outcome for all parties. Patience pays off and I’m sure all GCR supporters will welcome the result.”
The owner felt an important factor was that 92214 should remain at GCR where it will be well looked after and continue to play its part as a true main line loco on a double track railway.
The loco is an ex British Railways 9F 2-10-0 tender loco – a type designed in the 1950s specifically for hauling heavy freight trains, but also often used on passenger trains. Locos of this class were employed extensively on GCR until the mid-1960s which coincided with the line’s rundown/ closure by British Railways.
The acquisition has been achieved by the GCR’s supporting charity David Clarke Railway Trust becoming its owner, and financed with the help of a benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous".
Took my kids on the Santa Special on Xmas Eve pulled by 92214, I’ve always had a soft spot for the 9F class as Evening Star was my favourite when I was but a boy.
Looking forward to popping up for a poke around sometime when the kids are at school. Question for you Phil, I’ve never wandered up beyond the end of the platform at Loughborough, is there much to see (can you access the sheds)?
Looking forward to popping up for a poke around sometime when the kids are at school. Question for you Phil, I’ve never wandered up beyond the end of the platform at Loughborough, is there much to see (can you access the sheds)?
Cyder said:
Took my kids on the Santa Special on Xmas Eve pulled by 92214, I’ve always had a soft spot for the 9F class as Evening Star was my favourite when I was but a boy.
Looking forward to popping up for a poke around sometime when the kids are at school. Question for you Phil, I’ve never wandered up beyond the end of the platform at Loughborough, is there much to see (can you access the sheds)?
A few years back you used to be able to wander around the shed freely. More recently acces was more restricted, but as Phil says it's pretty much closed now. Last time I couldn't even wander down the side to the rear storage areas! Still worth the walk to see the engines being watered and from ground level.Looking forward to popping up for a poke around sometime when the kids are at school. Question for you Phil, I’ve never wandered up beyond the end of the platform at Loughborough, is there much to see (can you access the sheds)?
An interesting few weekends on the GCR in March. Due to two bridges being replaced either side of Quorn there is no access to and from Loughborough. So there is a DMU service Leicester North to Rothley, then up the branch line to Nunckly Hill and then onto Mountsorrel. Two DMU sets are in operation and it was standing room only on Sat and Sunday!
Flying Phil said:
An interesting few weekends on the GCR in March. Due to two bridges being replaced either side of Quorn there is no access to and from Loughborough. So there is a DMU service Leicester North to Rothley, then up the branch line to Nunckly Hill and then onto Mountsorrel. Two DMU sets are in operation and it was standing room only on Sat and Sunday!
Presumably extra busy as the DMU 'Iris' was also running for just that weekend ?Work has been relatively slow on the "Black" mineral wagon due to holidays, illness and family "Stuff" with the various members of the volunteer team. However the vac cylinder is now in bits and steel sheet is being welded back for the new floor.
It is also "Money Match March" for the next part of the Gap project. This is where money donated in March is doubled by a private donor up to £150,000. So, potentially, the fund could go from £1.5M to £1.8M by the end of this month. If the fundraising continues to go well, then the GCR hope to start the "Factory Flyover" this year.
It is also "Money Match March" for the next part of the Gap project. This is where money donated in March is doubled by a private donor up to £150,000. So, potentially, the fund could go from £1.5M to £1.8M by the end of this month. If the fundraising continues to go well, then the GCR hope to start the "Factory Flyover" this year.
Hi mcdji
Here is a closer picture of the tight bridge
It is an easier process to access the branch line usually, as the DMU runs from Quorn, then reverses through Swithland onto the branch. Coming out, it runs to Rothley then onto the single track to go on the other line back to Quorn and onto the crossover at the North of Quorn.
Here is a closer picture of the tight bridge
It is an easier process to access the branch line usually, as the DMU runs from Quorn, then reverses through Swithland onto the branch. Coming out, it runs to Rothley then onto the single track to go on the other line back to Quorn and onto the crossover at the North of Quorn.
Flying Phil said:
Hi mcdji
Here is a closer picture of the tight bridge
It is an easier process to access the branch line usually, as the DMU runs from Quorn, then reverses through Swithland onto the branch. Coming out, it runs to Rothley then onto the single track to go on the other line back to Quorn and onto the crossover at the North of Quorn.
Cheers, not quite so many direction changes normally then!Here is a closer picture of the tight bridge
It is an easier process to access the branch line usually, as the DMU runs from Quorn, then reverses through Swithland onto the branch. Coming out, it runs to Rothley then onto the single track to go on the other line back to Quorn and onto the crossover at the North of Quorn.
Re the GCR "Gap" project
Following the "Money Match March" fundraising initiative, the total raised so far is now over £1.78M for the Factory Flyover section. So it is expected that the start of construction will be announced later this year....if the fundraising continues to go well.
Following the "Money Match March" fundraising initiative, the total raised so far is now over £1.78M for the Factory Flyover section. So it is expected that the start of construction will be announced later this year....if the fundraising continues to go well.
There was an unusual day at the GCR yesterday when a group of over 100, first and second year Nottingham Trent University engineering students were able to see how a heritage railway operates and the many aspects of engineering involved. They spoke with many volunteers and paid staff in the Locomotive shed, machine shop, Quorn signal box and station. They also went into the Ex BR Test Car 2, Quorn Wagon and Wagon site, Rothley C & W shed and saw Windcutter restoration work.
At the end of the day there was a Q & A session with our new General Manager and other senior staff.
At the end of the day there was a Q & A session with our new General Manager and other senior staff.
We are looking forward to an exciting weekend June 17/18th on the GCR as it is the 50th Anniversary event. Lots more detail on the GCR website, but our Windcutter wagons are joining the van train and mixed goods to form a 50 wagon freight train running through Quorn Station on the Saturday!
Meanwhile we have been busy on wagon #16 replacing the 2" vacuum brake pipe and doing more floor repair work.
Meanwhile we have been busy on wagon #16 replacing the 2" vacuum brake pipe and doing more floor repair work.
We are making steady progress with #16 as the vacuum pipe is nearly finished, the end door repairs are nearly complete and three patches have been done on the West side.
We are also looking forward to seeing our rake running on June 17th as part of the 50 wagon freight train.
We will have a display at Quorn so come along and say hello!
We are also looking forward to seeing our rake running on June 17th as part of the 50 wagon freight train.
We will have a display at Quorn so come along and say hello!
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