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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. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Cheers. I’ll probably have my dog with me so unlikely to be travelling on the trains if they’re busy so will be observing from the sidelines.
     
    Spamcan81, Jan 14, 2026 at 7:10 AM
    #61
  2. neildimmer

    neildimmer Resident of Nat Pres

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    Thank you Dan
     
    neildimmer, Jan 14, 2026 at 8:59 AM
    #62
  3. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    I may attend this gala but won’t be travelling. May I suggest that any photographers do what I do and make a donation at least equivalent to the cost of a day rover ticket. If we all did it over the four days it wouldn’t raise a fortune but could pay for 3 or 4 tons of coal.
     
    Johnb, Jan 14, 2026 at 9:46 AM
    #63
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  4. jamesd

    jamesd Member

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    Are trains running om the Mountsorrel branch? The map in the downloadable leaflet indicates a limited service but the timetable doesn't see to mention anything.
     
    jamesd, Jan 14, 2026 at 1:53 PM
    #64
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  5. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    In regard to the freight workings, am I right in thinking that the GCR has been rotating it's different freight sets around each year and if so, am I right in thinking that this year it'll be the Windcutters and Tankers?
     
    Dan Hill, Jan 14, 2026 at 6:44 PM
    #65
  6. Johann Marsbar

    Johann Marsbar Well-Known Member

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    I did read that the van train is being "rested" this year to enable refurbishment/repainting to be carried out on the vehicles in the rake.
     
    Johann Marsbar, Jan 15, 2026 at 6:09 AM
    #66
    Dan Hill likes this.
  7. Ben Jenden

    Ben Jenden Well-Known Member

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    9F to remain facing north, everything else unchanged AFAIK
     
    Ben Jenden, Jan 15, 2026 at 9:22 AM
    #67
  8. Wagoniester

    Wagoniester Member

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    I don't get involved in petty disputes, but it's been amusing watching all the comments on social media complaining about the locomotive "facing the wrong direction" and how people are saying they will "no longer be attending" because of that - probably many of whom are ones who wouldn't have bought a ticket anyway. The level of entitlement of some people who expect the railway to outlay thousands of pounds for them to turn up and take photos is quite astonishing really.

    I for one am glad of something a bit different and will be there regardless of which way things face.
     
    Wagoniester, Jan 15, 2026 at 10:04 AM
    #68
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  9. Britfoamer

    Britfoamer Part of the furniture

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    We used to spend our visits linesiding, thinking buying a book and a drink was sufficient, I doubt it ever was. We later started to buy a round ticket whether we used it or not. Now physically I can't yomp over path/styles/fences so we travel, get our day rover tickets and grab whatever photographs we can, Acutely aware that running a railway is a well timed and difficult exercise, but it would be good to have locomotives on view to photograph at certain points/times, such as run rounds etc.
     
    Britfoamer, Jan 15, 2026 at 10:29 AM
    #69
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  10. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    I think we all try and support railways in our own ways , whether financially or with our time . The way I would like to support the GCR is one that the GCR have declined . It is their decision , no ill feeling, but its not a decision I can change. In my case it does (when time and money is not always abundant) mean that I direct support to those railways I feel valued by.

    in terms of the weekend I wish the railway well . The forecast looks challenging for those taking images (Look forward to JT's endeavours ;-) )
     
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2026 at 1:20 PM
    Sidmouth, Jan 15, 2026 at 1:03 PM
    #70
  11. Ironear

    Ironear New Member

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    Ironear, Jan 15, 2026 at 9:47 PM
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