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I'd just like to drop a few lines of appreciation for the railway and its staff in their ability to keep me entertained yesterday.

This is the first time I've been to the railway on a non-gala day, and I was most impressed.

Firstly to be hauled by an immaculate loco from my favourite "Big Four" company in the form on ex LNER V2 4771 "Green Arrow", to the extremely friendly staff working both on the footplate and in the Griddle Car to which I chatted briefly.

I also noted the general “cheeriness” of all staff around the place, a great asset to any organisation.

Of course, I partook in a fine all day breakfast and observed with interest the new S&T work completed presumably over the work week (new ground frame at Leicester, brackets and point rodding runs at Swithland). I was also interested to see the single line working arrangements for the first two return trips to Loughborough and noted the pilotman’s important duties (I believe the Permanent Way gang were doing some work on the down(?) main between Rothely and Quorn).

It was nice to see Sir Lamiel back together, round various other fine locos in the shed, and she appeared to me as being measured for gauging purposes and having a spot of paint applied on the right-hand splasher.

The second return to Loughborough was spent in the shop buying the latest “Main Line” and availing myself of some refreshments.

I was entertained for a while at the end of my day outside Loughborough box watching the point rodding and signal wire runs as Mr Tighe shunted a really useful engine and the 8F into the middle road after 4771 was presumably shedded for either the night or until the dining train turn..

All in all, a very positive feeling came out of the day, with a railway that really does seem to be moving “FORWARD”.

Last Sunday, I brought my old mother (GCR "Shareholder" and age 85), my wife and my daughter (8), for a day out, and, for the first time, we had a meal on the Elizabethan. We live in London, so it really was a "day out".

I just wanted to say what a great day it was, and to thank all the GCR volunteers and staff for making the railway what it is, and for giving us all such a good time.

It started with booking everything on the phone. People were really chatty and friendly. Even when I had to phone up the following day and change everything from the Saturday to the Sunday, nothing was any trouble, and the replacement tickets/menu etc were all sorted out efficiently and smoothly.

It was a shame the weather on Sunday was so awful. But never mind. A coffee at Loughborough and then time for boarding the train. The waitresses were great. Really professional, yet also really friendly too. They put up with my aged mother trying to give them her "Free shareholder privilege voucher" for a free cup of tea even before the train left, and before the meal had even started. Then there was an excellent commentary from an old gentleman who gave a quick history of the Railways in the UK, and a great summary of the Big Four theme for the day. I am not exactly an enthusiast, but I am interested, and I certainly learnt something. The little speeches at the beginning and each of the stations were perfectly pitched for the non-expert visitors. The lunch was simple, traditional, but well presented, well cooked and hot, and well served. Only the occasional great crash of dropped plates and cutlery but it all added to the fun. The train stopped at Swithland reservoir in both directions for a time, and that was just right too - but I am sure you all know that.

Then back at Loughborough, and time to admire Sir Lamiel and of course Green Arrow. Absolutely magnificent - and the first time I had seen them. When you think that these machines are 60/70 years old and have covered the miles that they have, yet they have been restored so well to be turned out like that ... Well my admiration for those who have spent countless hours (and all the fundraising) to accomplish that, knows no bounds. What an achievemnet. They must be very proud.

Meanwhile my 8 year old daughter had great fun with that little booklet for the kids to learn all about the railway, with the little puzzles in the middle. This was the first time I had seen the GCR produce anytthing like that and I thought it was a really good idea, and it was well done. I thought that adults guide to the railway and stations was also good. Is that new too? There was a complimentary copy handed out with the Restaurant menu - otherwise I would not have seen it. I hope it gets given more prominence to the more casual visitor. There is so much more to see than anyone would believe - but because one does not expect it, anything which draws attention to the detail has got to be a good thing.
Anyway .... then back out in the yard to watch the 8F(?) 48xxx (is that right?) being shunted up and down. For the non enthusiast, I really think it is a great idea to have SOMETHING going on in the gaps between the trains leaving and arriving. It is entertainment after all for the visitors and will keep them coming back time and time again. I suppose to you all who are there so often, or who are volunteers, that might seem a bit artificial, but in my view it really helps, adding to the variety.
Of course, being mid May I had no coat to keep out the biting wind and rain, but nevertheless braved the elements to go and look around the shed. It really is great that you can actually walk around and see all the restoration work. I get the feeling that in many places, the hysteria over health and safety and the quest for the avoidance of infinitesimal risk would prevent such access for us visitors. So well done and I hope you can keep it open like that! Even my little girl was interested and I got loads of questions - for many of which I was groping for an answer. Just a small point - I wish there was more information about the various projects going on. There were a couple of printed boards with basic details, but I think so much more can be made of this. Restoration work can be really interesting to learn about - but unless you are an expert, all those machines and bits of engines all over the place makes it hard to understand what is going on. When you think of the TV audiences that Fred Dibner got, it is clear that there really is huge interest in our Industrial Heritage. And where else can you see history actually in action (and being recreated and restored) better than at the GCR? Great to see all those new engines in the yard too. I can't wait to see all them running one day too. And of course, having read a lot of the messages on here, I suppose I should mention the line of Diesels but I still don't know the difference between a Class 56 from a Class 127 or whatever (seeing as there were a lot of them it might be an idea to provide a bit of explanation?).

The most important thing of all though was that EVERY member of staff of the railway were absolutely great and so friendly. From the guy with the little steps, helping people up on the train, the drivers and firemen giving my little girl a wave, the helpful people in the shop, and on the booking line, the catering team, the chatty station staff on the platform, and the cheerful greasy experts in the shed .... everyone was absolutely great. There seems to be an atmosphere and spirit about the place that bodes well for the future.

Sorry if all this is a bit long and boring .... I just wanted to pass on our thanks for a great day out.

Here's 2 pictures "wot you took" of Linda and I during our train extravaganza day. Malcom enjoying his drive of Brush Type 4 D1705

I know that Linda has already e-mailed but to echo her comments we both had a wonderful day and I'm still going around as if I've had a coat hanger surgically inserted into my mouth! :-)

We will carry that day with us for some time to come - it was great. You are all a credit to the railway museum. Please say hello to Graham, Mike, Martin, Steve and Linda for me.

We had a great day and you certainly made an old man (Malcolm) very happy. In fact it's been like having a child in the house for the last few days. I would like to thank you and all the staff for their helpfulness and kindness, not just in the train driving part of the day, but also to Linda for sorting out decent accommodation and Martin for
the very interesting tour around the work sheds at the end of the day.

It was great being met by such a smart "young man" (Graham) in uniform on arrival - it was all very very professional, so enjoyable and very different.

I must also say that the murder mystery dinner was wonderful! I've never experienced anything like this before. The actors were excellent and we had a lovely dinner too.

Thank you Ian and everyone else at Loughborough. Your enthusiasm shines
through.

I write to extend my thanks to you all at the GCR for what was a most enjoyable and instructive - not to say, atmospheric, in the thunder storms! - footplate experience on the GCR last Thursday, 28 July. May I thank, in particular, my host, Alan (sorry, I don't recall his surname), the signalman, and the excellent footplate crew. Indeed, a memorable day.

I am sure that you will receive quite a lot of letters like this one, but it gives me great pleasure to write it all the same.

I visited the railway on Sunday 12th June for my Driving Experience. I was thoroughly looking forward to the day, obviously with some trepidation, but this was quickly dispelled by the warm and friendly welcome we received, which continued throughout the day. Every single person invloved with the course at the GCR was helpful, patient and clearly out to ensure that we all had a wonderful time.

I cannot remember all the names of the GCR people we met, but Tim, Ailson, Andy, Alan and Jim were typical of all of them and a real credit to your superb railway. No wonder you are so sucessful.

To my own thanks I would like to add those of my family who came along and also enjoyed them selves tremendously. It was a day we shall never forget.

Dear Everyone,

Yesterday was our third visit to the Great Central Railway and again our thanks to you all for making our day so special.

Apart from the day we met (of course) almost twenty years ago, Brian and I have never enjoyed ourselves so much. Everyone at GCR is so polite and helpful and this really does ensure all who come to you have the time of their lives from beginning. to end.

For us, the day was extra important as it was to celebrate five years since Brian went into remission after us both spending nearly nine months in hospital suffering from leukaemia and many complications and there was no better way to mark the anniversary.

As you probably know, Brian used to be a fireman on the railway at Brighton and Nine Elms when he was very young and since then has achieved a private pilots licence, passed his boat skipper courses and an Lgv plus many more accomplishments along the way including our beautiful daughter, Hannah 14. He is now enjoying his twilight years back on the railway where his life basically started! That is thanks to you and the wonderful experiences you provide.

We are hoping to come again later in the year and do another Gold Experience if there are any times available.

For now, We just want to say thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts for another wonderful day filled with more precious memories for us both. Keep up the good work and we look forward to seeing you again soon

Kind Regards,

Sara Barnes xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Gold Drive a Train 5 April 2005

I have just been on a Great Central bronze drivers experience. Sat. Jan. 4 2003 .

My wife and I must congratulate and thank all who were involved with my trip aboard 90775. From the moment we arrived we were treated extremely well and informed of informed of all aspects of the GCR. The tours of the engine shed and signal box were very informative and the catering on the Griddle Car excellent. And as for the trip and driving of 90775 both myself and Philip were overjoyed, the crew were very professional and friendly to all our party.
So once again THANKS TO ALL CONCERNED
GUIDES 5 STAR
INFO 5 STAR
CATERING 5 STAR
DRIVING 5 STAR
OVERALL 5 STAR PLUS.
Best Wishes & thanks again
MICK & BERYL DICKMAN

I attended a Bronze Drive a train on sat 15th of March, and just wanted to drop a quick line to say a massive thank you to everyone at the Great Central Railway. Everyone was so friendly and nothing was too much trouble (a rare commodity in today's world).Our driver and fireman for the day, Martin and Roy, were excellent, a perfect balance of professionalism with, patience, humour and knowledge, and not forgetting a cup of Roy`s tea whilst on the footplate on the move.

We were driving GCR 04 2-8-0 No 63601, and what a marvelous loco it is, and to put into words how I felt on the day would be quite difficult, and I am sure they have all been used before, however what I will say is that no matter how much I felt I was going to enjoy the day before I arrived, my preconceptions were totally underestimated compared to the actual experience of being in control of a large steam engine, absolutely wonderful.

An excellent day out and definitely worth every penny.

Thanks again

Kevin Drabble

I had a great day and would like to thank those involved, including Martin our driving instructor, Norman our fireman, Graham our guide around the restoration sheds, and Richard our host and guide.

Firstly I want to thank all of you who contributed to a truly memorable Driver Experience last Sunday. The day was an exceptionally well thought out programme with a very natural and helpful progression from the video and maintenance sheds to the actual hands on driving. This ensured that we got the most from our 'experience'.

Alison and Andy were really excellent on the footplate giving a useful commentary on the observation run and well judged instruction and help during the actual driving. Please thank them for me.

I enclose an application to become a 'Friend' together with a small donation in appreciation of your work.

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