Great Central Railway 'The Last Hurrah' Gala | November 2024

Before starting for the Christmas the Great Central Railway did their the Last Hurrah Gala. This was a celebration of steam power, featuring an exciting lineup of locomotives and action-packed timetables with trains in each direction roughly every 20 minutes on the only double track preserved railway in the UK.

Locomotives in use at the event were the following:

British Railways Class 2 2-6-0 No.78018

BR Standard Class 2MT 2-6-0 No. 78018, built in 1953, gained fame after getting stuck in a snowdrift in 1955, inspiring the film Snowdrift at Bleath Gill. After years of service and a period in Barry scrapyard, it was restored and returned to steam at Great Central Railway in 2016, where it remains in regular service.

British Railways Class 2 2-6-0 No.78019

BR Standard Class 2MT No. 78019, built in 1954, closely resembles its Ivatt predecessor, with minor updates such as roller bearings and standard BR components. Initially working in the north, it later served at Willesden for stock trains out of Euston before being withdrawn in 1966. After years in Barry scrapyard, it was restored at the Great Central Railway and returned to steam in 2004, where it continues to perform reliably.

BR Standard Class 5 4-6-0 No.73156

BR Standard Class 5 No. 73156, built in 1956, served on mixed traffic duties, including express passenger trains like The Master Cutler and The South Yorkshireman. After stints at Neasden, Sheffield, and Leicester Central, it was withdrawn in 1967. Rescued from Barry scrapyard, it was restored and returned to steam at Great Central Railway in 2017, where it now runs in regular service.

GWR Modified Hall 4-6-0 No.6990 "Witherslack Hall"

GWR 4-6-0 No. 6990 "Witherslack Hall", built in 1948, was designed for mixed traffic duties and participated in the 1948 Locomotive Exchanges, where it ran between Marylebone and Manchester. After withdrawal in 1965 and time at Barry scrapyard, it was restored at Great Central Railway in 1986. Following several periods of service and repair, it returned to traffic in 2015 and remains in regular operation at the GCR.

British Rail Class 20 D8001 Diesel Locomotive

Known for its distinctive design and powerful performance, the Class 20 has been a staple on British railways.
Built as D8001 in 1957, this locomotive spent much of its BR career at Toton Depot on coal trains. It has been recently restored and overhauled.

British Rail Class 37 Diesel Locomotive D6700

One of the Class 37 locomotives, D6700 built by English Electric in the early 1960s, these iconic diesels bring a touch of vintage British Rail history. D6700, dating from 1960, is painted in classic BR Green with Yellow Panels and is on loan from the National Railway Museum. In contrast, 37714, built in 1961 and converted to Class 37/7 in 1998, is dressed in BR Railfreight Grey (Metals Sector) livery which is also seen at Loughborough.

"Iris" Derby Lightweight Single Railcar

The "Iris" Derby Lightweight Single Railcar, built in 1956 at Derby Works, was one of the first DMUs designed to replace steam on quieter lines. Known for its lightweight aluminum body, it served in the Midlands and North of England before preservation, and now operates at Great Central Railway as a showcase of early diesel innovation.

There is also the Bonus of a ride on preserved Leicester City Bus Dennis Dominator FUT240V which was giving rides during the event.

Highlights include:

A starring role for our home fleet of locomotives.

Goods trains in operation all weekend, including a vans train and tanks train.

An intensive timetable with approximately 20 departures a day

"Iris" Derby Lightweight Single Railcar will also be operating.

Tours of locomotive shed and works at Loughborough Central

Free heritage bus tours (Saturday only) from Quorn Station driveway at 1245 and 1415

Enthusiast stalls and "Trackside" magazine at Quorn & Woodhouse

A special Gala menu on the Griddle Car, including the famous GCR breakfast.