Information on Loughborough

Last Chance to see National Railway Museum star Lord Nelson in action at the Great Central Railway in Loughborough

Posted on 22/07/2008

GCR in Loughborough

A feast of steam and diesel traction will be thundering down the Great Central main line in July, in charge of the famous ‘non stop postal drop’ train. Up to five locomotives will power an intensive service of passenger and freight trains with up to four demonstration postal drops taking place each day. The event takes place on the 26th and 27th of July 2008.

Taking the top of the bill is Southern Railways express engine, ‘LN’ class no. 850 Lord Nelson. It is visiting the Great Central Railway based in Loughborough for testing work from the National Railway Museum. It is the last weekend the engine is operating in Leicestershire.

It will be an occasion of mixed emotions for the group who look after the mail train, Railway Vehicle Preservations Ltd. This year marks their 40th birthday, during which time they’ve won many awards for their high quality restoration work. However, their wooden bodied ‘Gresley’ mail carriages will retire from active service immediately after the gala.

“This isn’t the end of the mail train and the non stop drop…” said RVP Chairman Darren Martin “…far from it. We’ve recently acquired three new Mk1 style post office carriages. They will go with our established Mk1 exchange vehicle to form a new demonstration train. However, the Gresley set, complete with its famous postal museum will now be ‘saved for best’. It will need a comprehensive restoration to handle the rigours of a full mail train run. We wouldn’t rule it out in future though…”

Gala visitors will be able to travel from Loughborough and see behind the scenes at Rothley carriage works where restoration work is carried out by RVP on their vehicles. The group are also behind the project to relay a short section of the former mineral line which branched off from the GCR at Swithland Sidings. Remarkable progress towards clearing the trackbed of the branch ready for relaying has been made. While it’s too early to allow visitors to access the branch itself, a special display at Rothley should help to tell the story.

Meanwhile the recently restored 1937 ‘BEAVERTAIL’ ®observation saloon should be on passenger trains allowing travellers a great view of passing trains on the Great Central Railway’s unique double track network.

“The group celebrates its 40th birthday this year” concluded Darren “and we hope to form a Saturday night special train of all of our restored vehicles for a round trip to Leicester North. It’s a way of thanking and remembering all of those who have put in so much hard work on our collection down the years.”

“We’re proud of RVP’s achievements,” said GCR president Bill Ford, “and this gala is about saluting them and providing a good send off for the wooden bodied mail vehicles. They’ve been real stars of the GCR in preservation. Having said that, the sight of four immaculately restored Mk1 vehicles lining up for the new mail train is really something to look forward to!”

Full gala details including times, fares and the exact motive power line up will be available soon on the Great Central Railway website.

FURTHER INFORMATION: Details on the above and all forthcoming events can be found on the Great Central Railways extensive website: www.greatcentralrailway.com Additional information can also be obtained from the Booking Office, Loughborough Central Station, (Daily 9.00 - 5.30) on 01509 230726

Voted number 12 on the list of the 50 greatest railway journeys in the world the Great Central Railway is the UKs only double track, main line heritage railway. It’s the only place in the world where full size steam engines can be seen passing each other – just as it was when steam ruled the rails. The preserved railway has been operating for over 30 years, and is manned by around 700 volunteers and a small team of permanent staff. Originally a main line from Sheffield to London, the 8 mile preserved section between Loughborough and Leicester is fully operational and the 4 stations reflect a different period of the railways109 year history. Trains run every weekend of the year, bank holidays and daily in the summer. In addition, First Class Restaurant Car Services provide 4 or 6 course meals, whilst travelling between Loughborough and Leicester or childhood dreams can come true with a Drive a Train Experience. We also run a number of family events, including “Days Out with Thomas the Tank Engine”, Bonfire Night and Santa Specials. The railway has won a number of awards including “independent railway of the year”, and a gold award for the East Midlands best visitor experience and is a quality assured visitor attraction as designated by Enjoy England.