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Great Central Winter Steam Gala 22nd-25th January 2026

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by Dan Hill, Oct 17, 2025.

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  1. Johann Marsbar

    Johann Marsbar Well-Known Member

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    Frankly, I just took one look at the already announced guest engine and immediately booked rail tickets to Loughborough and 4 nights in a hotel there!
    Anything else that appears is a bonus as far as I'm concerned........
     
    Johann Marsbar, Jan 7, 2026 at 5:52 AM
    #21
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  2. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Thanks Harry, indeed not as easy these days to organise a gala, your insight is most interesting and appreciated.
     
    Pete Thornhill, Jan 7, 2026 at 8:43 AM
    #22
  3. mdewell

    mdewell Well-Known Member Friend

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    Didn't Spa Valley recently announce that 828 would be staying with them for 2026? I suppose it could visit other railways and then return to Spa, but . . .

    Edit: Found the link https://www.national-preservation.com/posts/2963888/
     
    mdewell, Jan 8, 2026 at 8:54 AM
    #23
  4. Paul.Uni

    Paul.Uni Well-Known Member

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    Austerity 3809 has been announced as visiting.
     
    Paul.Uni, Jan 8, 2026 at 12:32 PM
    #24
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  5. ianh

    ianh Member

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    Has a timetable been published yet? planing to visit on the Sunday again.....
     
    ianh, Jan 8, 2026 at 7:36 PM
    #25
  6. Ben Jenden

    Ben Jenden Well-Known Member

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    One more guest TBA (probably tomorrow) timetable will follow
     
    Ben Jenden, Jan 8, 2026 at 7:56 PM
    #26
  7. Jonnie

    Jonnie Member

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    It won't be 828. The owners do not want it on and off a lorry. It is staying and operating at the Spa Valley throughout 2026 and probably 2027 too.
     
    Jonnie, Jan 8, 2026 at 9:30 PM
    #27
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  8. Ben Jenden

    Ben Jenden Well-Known Member

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    Webpage announced Bulleid Pacific 34072 "257 Squadron" is the third and final visitor joining 3809 and 92134
     
    Ben Jenden, Jan 9, 2026 at 10:48 AM
    #28
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  9. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Can’t beat a bit of Spam. A great announcement.
     
    Spamcan81, Jan 9, 2026 at 10:55 AM
    #29
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  10. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    Latest news from SLL. <BJ>

    ''34072 257 Squadron has arrived at Quorn for the Great Central Railway's Winter Steam Gala, 21st to 25th January''.

    [​IMG]

    Photo: Rob Porter
     
    free2grice, Jan 10, 2026 at 10:26 AM
    #30
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  11. neildimmer

    neildimmer Resident of Nat Pres

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    Do we know if a timetable has been finalised yet? and any idea when it will be published.
    Many thanks
     
    neildimmer, Jan 11, 2026 at 8:32 AM
    #31
  12. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    From experience, unlikely to be out till a week-10 days before the event. As others have said, the bones of the timetable are fairly consistent; certainly enough to allow bookings on EMR unless you’re needing certainty about rostering
     
    35B, Jan 11, 2026 at 8:51 AM
    #32
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