GCR Autumn Gala 2014

Had a brilliant time today, (Although their did seem to be some fairly substantial delays earlier in the day). The weather was a bit miserable in the morning but cleared up enough in the afternoon to get some decent photos of Morayshire! Thanks to all those involved who may read this.

 

Only had time for a four hour visit today so please do not take this as a judgement on the whole gala, but just on the bit that I saw. Firstly, the GCR certainly knows how to put on a show - Loughborough in the hour before the start of play is a sight to behold, and you can just sit in Quorn for hours whilst trains go to and fro. Their timetables are ambitious (possibly a little too so, as I have yet to go to a GCR gala that didn't feature delays) and they attract some quality visitors. The D49 was the star for me, with a great TPO drop this morning followed by a very 'vigorous' run on its first passenger turn as the crew attempted to haul back a 15 minute delay. Although I had the advantage of being sat almost right behind the tender the noise it produced was fantastic! I should also complement the catering, both in the stations and from the Griddle Car.

But mention of the Griddle Car brings us to the significant problem with GCR galas, that appears to have no simple solution. There were two rakes running full line trips today - one had six coaches and the other five. The six coach rake included the Beaver Tail saloon, which I had a very enjoyable trip on. Whilst services using this rake were busy, they appeared capable of managing. The other rake included the Griddle Car, which has no passenger seating and a First Open that was restricted to those eating from the Griddle (at least notionally, and staff were attempting to enforce this). That left three other coaches, one of which was a brake, and meant that there were two and a half coaches available for general passenger seating, whilst the FO stood half empty. Services behind this were very full, and at times were worse than a rush hour departure from Euston. There were two locals running. One was a DMU, mostly empty, and the other a three coach rake which included the LNER pigeon van (I think - and looks stunning) and two coaches, one of which of course was a brake. So one and a half coaches for passengers and, again, generally running very full. Meanwhile there were a lot of coaches sitting around not being used. The reason? They are the dining coaches.

I have had the pleasure of a dining service on the GCR, and it was excellent. The GCR understand their market incredibly well, but I'm not convinced that it is an enthusiast market. The veranda coach was skulking around near the Network Rail 37, presumably the GCR naughty step, but it would appear to me that more coaches will be used for dining and less for general services. Galas cannot get any bigger on the GCR without investment in ordinary service stock and, I would suggest, this could become a major problem once the two lines are connected.

 

That pretty much sums up my feelings too Learner. I didn't struggle to get a seat, but it was very busy at times. The griddle + FO combo at the front of the train seemed a bit daft, and yes, it was half empty a lot of the time. The WR liveried set looked good, sitting in the sun at Rothley this afternoon not being used....! There needs to be three full sets running, even if one only goes as far as Rothley.

 

TPO Departure by 5944, on Flickr

Shire by 5944, on Flickr

Mixed Goods by 5944, on Flickr

A few from today. Spent most of the day travelling, then popped out for the last couple of trains once the sun came out.

 

Very enjoyable gala this weekend, with the highlight being the first TPO on the Sunday, which featured the ultimate steam scene,not to be featured on any other preserved railway. My video below, 14.59 for the the TPO drop.

 

Seems to be a symptom of the direction the GCR is taking under current leadership, I don't know how many dining coaches they have now, but for most railways, one dining rake seems to be sufficient.

I've voiced concern about the way the GCR seems to be heading more than a few times now, but alienating core customers with lack of standard passenger accommodation in favour of less used dining stock seems to be the most concerning change yet, dining trains are a good idea, but should be in addition to bread and butter passenger stock, not at the expense of.

 

hello
brilliant day out on Saturday despite the weather surely the gcr hold the crown for the best gala's
with so much action and variety
some pictures at www.stevebottrill.zenfolio.com
regards

 

Some really great shots there Steve under difficult circumstances with the weather.You handled the situation very well. It was a great gala and as you say plenty going on. Three images here from Sunday

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/15263500499/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/15447425021/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/15264184857/

Thanks to all at the GCR for another great event.....Simon

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/
http://www.davidheyscollection.com/page73.htm

 

My shots from the friday can be found here: http://khardy.zenfolio.com/p76717548

A few previews:











Cheers,

 

The effect of having a double track, stands the GCR High above most over preserved lines. And their galas rarely disappoint !

 

Hmmm, the photos don't seem to show what I experienced at the gala which was every loco blowing off multiple times during the journey.... the GCR must like wasting water and coal!

 

Did notice that, especially around Quorn.

 

Morayshire is a graceful old thing!

Have seen it twice now, parked in a shed- still yet to see it in steam, I suspect it will end up being in her next ticket now!

Chris

 

Thanks to all who have posted there efforts - great to see!
A few photos from me, Saturday and Sunday: http://richardsteampics.weebly.com/recent-images.html
My first visit to the railway, very impressive and intensive timetable. highlight been 62712 on Saturday evening:
and 76084 Sunday morning.


Richard

 

Running at our autumn gala on the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway 18/19th if you fancy a trip! If that is not an option, she should be out on her travels frequently next year.

While the I can't speak for the GCR, SRPS are sending down an owners rep so presume she is doing something!

 

Any chance of her being at SSS4?

 

Some further photos from Sunday http://paulsimpson.zenfolio.com/p673528871 either side of a rides behind 30777 and Morayshire ( luckily in the Maroon Set) and one fron Monday's charter http://paulsimpson.zenfolio.com/p935385269/h17cd67d9#h17cd67d9 which I left early.

 

Thanks. Worth a trip to Loughorough on Sunday I reckon. Would love to come to Bo'ness but I'm on the rail motor that weekend and Southall is MUCH closer to Bedfordshire than are the shores of the Firth of Forth.

 

I have finally found the time to process my photographs from the Saturday of this gala through the computer. The results can now be seen at my Zenfolio website at: - http://mickrogers.zenfolio.com/p296104676
A rather challenging mix of weather conditions for much of the day, but that didn't detract from another very enjoyable gala at the GCR.

Cheers,

 

Was similar at the Diesel Gala being short of coaches, was the green set still parked up at L'boro after being involved in the incident with 37198.