Great Central Railway - 'Winter Steam Gala' 28/01/2023

Countering the winter gloom, the Great Central Railway held their ever-impressive annual 'Winter Steam Gala' over the weekend of January 27th-29th. The gala would feature a variety of motive power, with two visiting locomotives attending. Courtesy of the Urie Society, S15 Class - 506 would make an appearance from the Watercress Line, being joined by 5MT - 73082 "Camelot" visiting from the Bluebell Railway. The pair would flanked by members of the homefleet, bringing the operating total up to 7 steam locomotives. Supporting the steam fleet, a resident Class 101 DMU would also be in service alongside Derby Lightweight 'Bubble Car' - M79900 "Iris" (name not carried). The intensive timetable for the event would feature a variety of passenger workings; including a two coach suburban set. In addition, two demonstration freight sets would also be in use. After its period in private ownership, resident 9F - 92214 was bought by the GCR not long before the event. Marking this, the railway quickly repainted the BR Standard out of its previous lined green livery into BR plain black, being completed imminently before the gala. Another resident of the GCR was also on display at Quorn and Woodhouse station throughout the event. Rebuilt 'West Country' Class - 34049 "Boscastle" is undergoing an extensive overhaul presently, with the end now in sight for the pacific. Displayed without its boiler, the locomotive was positioned at Quorn over the weekend. The Class 101 DMU had not been scheduled to operate over the event. BR Class 45 - D123 had been scheduled to be in service, but was failed before it worked any services on Saturday. This resulted in the 101 being pressed into use, as well as a minor shuffle of some locomotive allocations. Locomotives: Ex-LSWR S15 Class - 506 BR Standard Class 2MT - 78018 BR Standard Class 9F - 92214 BR Standard Class 5MT - 73082 "Camelot" Ex-LMS 8F Class - 48305 BR Standard Class 2MT - 78019 BR Class 101 DMU - E51427+M50321 BR Derby Lightweight 'Bubble Car' - M79900 BR Standard Class 5MT - 73156 All footage filmed on Saturday the 28th of January 2023.