Great Central Railway - News and "Stuff"
Discussion
Despite asking, I do not have any new information about the GCR(N). I do know that a lot of people have been doing long hours on trying to get systems put in place to get back to running at Ruddington and down the line. I think we will just have to be patient a while longer.
On the Boscastle Website there is news of a new "Boscastle Official Supporters Club", which is free to join for anybody wishing to be kept informed of the restoration progress and opportunities to help in various ways. (I'm sorry, but my limited IT skills do not stretch to getting a direct link posted.)
In other news - the BR Std Class 2 No 78019 has been fully overhauled and now has a new "10" year ticket. It also looks very fine!
On the Boscastle Website there is news of a new "Boscastle Official Supporters Club", which is free to join for anybody wishing to be kept informed of the restoration progress and opportunities to help in various ways. (I'm sorry, but my limited IT skills do not stretch to getting a direct link posted.)
In other news - the BR Std Class 2 No 78019 has been fully overhauled and now has a new "10" year ticket. It also looks very fine!
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".
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!
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.
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!
JB99 said:
As post 7th March confirms....it was "Thank You". I don't know what else it could be...
It was because the Quorn Wagon and Wagon group asked if they could cut out part of our scrap steel to make one of their large oval ESSO signs for a tank wagon.
We were at Quorn yesterday and made a start on #98. I cleared out another three dustbins of rubbish whilst Julian cut out two rusty sections. This is to show what sort of work is involved in keeping these wagons running. I also tidied the other wagons paintwork.
As can be seen we are doing a "Letterbox" repair on the East side as the lower repair sheet is still very thick steel and is part of the wagons history.
All this is in preparation for this coming weekend's 50th anniversary of the Preserved GCR.
There is also a large number of Jaguar cars coming to visit Quorn over the weekend.
As can be seen we are doing a "Letterbox" repair on the East side as the lower repair sheet is still very thick steel and is part of the wagons history.
All this is in preparation for this coming weekend's 50th anniversary of the Preserved GCR.
There is also a large number of Jaguar cars coming to visit Quorn over the weekend.
Edited by Flying Phil on Thursday 15th June 11:16
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