Great Central Railway - News and "Stuff"
Discussion
If you think I hate diesels, you should hear my 20-something sons. They really are firmly in the "cut up every last one of the damn things" camp. Nothing to do with age.
Also, Stanier didn't scrap North Star. It was gone well before his time. I did read it suggested somewhere that his father might have been the man responsible, however. Bill Stanier certainly did have a bit of a clear-out of stored locos at Derby following his move to the LMS.
Ironic that you should mention the 50 as they are probably the most successful of the old diesels, they were what finally enabled Network South East to get back to the Bulleid Pacifics' timetable on the Salisbury-Exeter route (the 33 Cromptons having proven woefully underpowered).
Also, Stanier didn't scrap North Star. It was gone well before his time. I did read it suggested somewhere that his father might have been the man responsible, however. Bill Stanier certainly did have a bit of a clear-out of stored locos at Derby following his move to the LMS.
Ironic that you should mention the 50 as they are probably the most successful of the old diesels, they were what finally enabled Network South East to get back to the Bulleid Pacifics' timetable on the Salisbury-Exeter route (the 33 Cromptons having proven woefully underpowered).
RoverP6B said:
Also, Stanier didn't scrap North Star. It was gone well before his time. I did read it suggested somewhere that his father might have been the man responsible, however. Bill Stanier certainly did have a bit of a clear-out of stored locos at Derby following his move to the LMS.
As I wrote that I couldn't be arsed to look it up but I thought somebody would put me right if it wasn't him. So if it wasn't, it was either Charlie Collett or George Churchward. Probably the latter. Thanks 
RoverP6B said:
Ironic that you should mention the 50 as they are probably the most successful of the old diesels, they were what finally enabled Network South East to get back to the Bulleid Pacifics' timetable on the Salisbury-Exeter route (the 33 Cromptons having proven woefully underpowered).
Which goes to show two things. Firstly we all have our own opinions and secondly, if you knew the views of the fitters and electricians who worked on the things when he LMR offloaded them to the WR after the WCML electrification, as I did because I was at Bristol Bath Road at the time, you would know that your opinion was not universally held.And as regards the "most successful of all the old diesels," the railways are still using examples of class 08, 20, 37 and 47 to this day which were around before the 50s arrived on the scene and they are still there now, whilst the 50s are not. So I suspect those responsible these days for motive power might not agree with you.
Edited by rs1952 on Wednesday 8th April 00:50
Flying Phil said:
spikeyhead said:
Is there a timetable for when they're running?
from the GCR website.....
..."....There will be no access to platforms and the cafés will not be able to open.
Approximate departure times from Loughborough are 13.00; 14.30 and 16.00".
Just to update, in the GCR "Rail Mail", they say parking at Quorn will be in the (overflow parking) field on the other side of the line. I would think that somebody will be selling ice creams etc and I suspect that the GCR doesn't want to be seen to break the rules re Cafe's opening yet.
Flying Phil said:
Just to update, in the GCR "Rail Mail", they say parking at Quorn will be in the (overflow parking) field on the other side of the line. I would think that somebody will be selling ice creams etc and I suspect that the GCR doesn't want to be seen to break the rules re Cafe's opening yet.
There are reports today of a motor home turning up in Dent with a sign in the back saying "Don't shout at me. All enquiries to Dominic Cummings."Motor homes and ice cream vans don't look very different...
Flying Phil said:
Just to update, in the GCR "Rail Mail", they say parking at Quorn will be in the (overflow parking) field on the other side of the line. I would think that somebody will be selling ice creams etc and I suspect that the GCR doesn't want to be seen to break the rules re Cafe's opening yet.
I sure I read that cafes and shops attached to heritage attractions are able to open. Can't remember if it was 1st June...The Sunday running went well. There were stewards on duty going into the car parking field giving out a safety briefing sheet. No charge for admission. I was directed to a parking space with more than 2m spacing between cars. Spacing between visitors was also monitored by stewards but everybody was self spacing. There was a 37 on the van train and the Std 2 running light engine. One steward held a donations collection tin which most people contributed too.
There were about 50 cars and 70 people.
The engine crews wore masks and gloves.
There were about 50 cars and 70 people.
The engine crews wore masks and gloves.
RoverP6B said:
If you think I hate diesels, you should hear my 20-something sons. They really are firmly in the "cut up every last one of the damn things" camp. Nothing to do with age.
Also, Stanier didn't scrap North Star. It was gone well before his time. I did read it suggested somewhere that his father might have been the man responsible, however. Bill Stanier certainly did have a bit of a clear-out of stored locos at Derby following his move to the LMS.
Ironic that you should mention the 50 as they are probably the most successful of the old diesels, they were what finally enabled Network South East to get back to the Bulleid Pacifics' timetable on the Salisbury-Exeter route (the 33 Cromptons having proven woefully underpowered).
I get that diesels and their exhaust fumes aren't the flavour of the month, but I really get a bit annoyed with people who want to banish the engine to room 101 as the spawn of satan.Also, Stanier didn't scrap North Star. It was gone well before his time. I did read it suggested somewhere that his father might have been the man responsible, however. Bill Stanier certainly did have a bit of a clear-out of stored locos at Derby following his move to the LMS.
Ironic that you should mention the 50 as they are probably the most successful of the old diesels, they were what finally enabled Network South East to get back to the Bulleid Pacifics' timetable on the Salisbury-Exeter route (the 33 Cromptons having proven woefully underpowered).
Its been the world's prime mover for decades and probably still will be going forward. Its an incredibly useful bit of engineering....it literally keeps the economies of the world turning. Without diesel nothing would get done!
Granted, their use in cars is perhaps unnecessary and ill-advised but in the worlds of shipping cargo, lifting big things, moving earth, generating power etc etc we have a lot of things to thank the diesel engine for! It's literally powered the modern world to where we are now.
Flying Phil said:
The Sunday running went well. There were stewards on duty going into the car parking field giving out a safety briefing sheet. No charge for admission. I was directed to a parking space with more than 2m spacing between cars. Spacing between visitors was also monitored by stewards but everybody was self spacing. There was a 37 on the van train and the Std 2 running light engine. One steward held a donations collection tin which most people contributed too.
There were about 50 cars and 70 people.
The engine crews wore masks and gloves.
Great work.There were about 50 cars and 70 people.
The engine crews wore masks and gloves.
Heritage is a dynamic concept. Every second becomes history, no matter good or bad.
Pacer I got on few times, certainly not the best to ride on but not as bumpy as I think. For me what I like is 41001. It looks very modern and hi-tech. This is due to its metallic colour. Also 89001 but such a shame never see an actual one myself. The blue Pullman is great however shame no one left. Hopes to build one if the drawings still exists. Better to fit a modern engine in it.
Pacer I got on few times, certainly not the best to ride on but not as bumpy as I think. For me what I like is 41001. It looks very modern and hi-tech. This is due to its metallic colour. Also 89001 but such a shame never see an actual one myself. The blue Pullman is great however shame no one left. Hopes to build one if the drawings still exists. Better to fit a modern engine in it.
Jonathan01n said:
Heritage is a dynamic concept. Every second becomes history, no matter good or bad.
Pacer I got on few times, certainly not the best to ride on but not as bumpy as I think. For me what I like is 41001. It looks very modern and hi-tech. This is due to its metallic colour. Also 89001 but such a shame never see an actual one myself. The blue Pullman is great however shame no one left. Hopes to build one if the drawings still exists. Better to fit a modern engine in it.
Pacer I got on few times, certainly not the best to ride on but not as bumpy as I think. For me what I like is 41001. It looks very modern and hi-tech. This is due to its metallic colour. Also 89001 but such a shame never see an actual one myself. The blue Pullman is great however shame no one left. Hopes to build one if the drawings still exists. Better to fit a modern engine in it.
- First point agreed, there are loads of Pacers near me at Arlington Eastleigh presently, and I hope most find a second life whatever people views.
- You've possibly missed your chance with 41001 as its running days appear to be over for good following a spat between the 125 Group and NRM York, if you want to see 89001 get yourself to Barrow Hill when Boris allows...it might even be mainline registered again in the next few years judging by the money the ACLG are spending on its restoration.
- Blue Pullman revival? nice idea but realistically will never happen, without the albeit poor NBL/MAN diesels fitted the whole idea is rather pointless anyway even without numerous other considerations.
Or, spend a small portion on a time machine.
My rail career.
1981 - 2x2p bus fares from home and back to Tinsley Marshalling Yard. Quick ride in an 08 (knew how to start it, not how to stop, got off quick).
1997(ish) £170 drove a deltic on the ELR. Used to wind Barryboys peeps up that I have drove a 5000hp engine!
My rail career.
1981 - 2x2p bus fares from home and back to Tinsley Marshalling Yard. Quick ride in an 08 (knew how to start it, not how to stop, got off quick).
1997(ish) £170 drove a deltic on the ELR. Used to wind Barryboys peeps up that I have drove a 5000hp engine!
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