Public Timetables are now available
The railway is proud to announce final details of its Winter Gala. On the 16th of January it has been confirmed that GWR Hall 4953 “Pitchford Hall” will join the line up of motive power as a special visiting guest. The other visiting engine is LMS 4F 44422. Star express engine (the GCR has declared 2008 as the year of express engines) is SR King Arthur 30777 “Sir Lamiel”, part of the national collection. Other engines taking part include GWR Large Prairie 4141, BR Standard 2 78019 and LMS 8F 48305
The addition of Pitchford Hall to the line up is through the good offices of its owner. The main line certified Hall, rarely visits preserved lines, certainly not ones without a national network connection. The GCR is delighted and places its thanks on record.
It is 60 years since the GCR was a part of the national locomotive exchange trials. Witherslack Hall (now looked after by the David Clarke Railway Trust and resident on the GCR) took part in the trials, so it’s more than appropriate that Pitchford Hall helps celebrate the diamond jubilee of the occasion. With the other motive power on display, the Winter Gala might feel a little like Oxford in the 1950s… (Loughborough Central station played the part of Oxford in the film “Shadowlands”)
The gala will feature an intensive timetable of passenger, freight and non stop postal drop demonstration trains. The first passenger service will leave Loughborough at 9.15am. Passenger timetables will be posted on line.
On Friday night before the event there will be a photographic line up on the front of Loughborough shed.
Admission is with 2 day gala lineside pass or £5 via Loughborough booking hall. The event will run between 6pm and 8.30pm with the locomotives being moved periodically to change the scene.
| Runabout Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £30.00 |
| Child/Student | £20.00 |
| Senior Citizen | £20.00 |
| Runabout Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Family (2 Adults + 3 children) | £40.00 |
| Family (1 Adult + 3 children) | £25.00 |
| Adult | £20.00 |
| Child/Student | £13.00 |
| Senior Citizen | £13.00 |
| Runabout Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £10.00 |
| Senior Citizen | £10.00 |
| Child/Student | £6.00 |
First class passengers will receive a gala programme complete with full working timetable with their ticket and also be able to ride in the inspection saloon. Second class passengers will receive a gala programme (one per family)
Gala programmes sold separately from a full cost runabout ticket: £2.
Passengers who buy their tickets at privilege rate will not receive a complimentary programme.
Parking at Quorn is £5 refundable against a travel ticket.
A Loughborough platform ticket costs £5.
Gala lineside photographic permits are available – but must be booked in advance via Loughborough booking office and collected on the day. The holder will require ID to collect their pass and briefing pack. A one day pass costs £10, two days £15 (two day pass also includes Friday night).
Privilege tickets are available to Friends of the Great Central Main Line and members of MLST & Friends transferred to FOGCML, plus BR pass holders, and other reciprocal railways. If you are a member of MLST or Friends who has transferred to FOGCML, and have not yet received your new card, please bring your current or previous card for MLST or Friends.
The public timetable for this event is available by clicking here.
All timetable links above will open in a new tab or window and are in PDF format.
There are other freight and light engine movements planned - please purchase the gala programme (included with a full price runabout ticket) for the full working timetable.
The GCR reserves the right to alter or amend the timetable, before or during the event as operational needs dictate. It will however endeavour to operate the promoted schedule.
Please note, the proposed Somerset and Dorset themed event featuring ‘Wadebridge’ has been postponed following the damage to the locomotive caused by a fire in the cab. We wish the owners of the locomotive a speedy and successful return to traffic and hope to welcome them, and stage an SandD event in the future.
We hope you will choose to join us for this unique recreation of a main line steam railway at its busiest!
For more details please phone our Special Event Hotline on 08708 308298
All attractions and events are subject to availability