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Thursday 19th January 2023 Quorn and Woodhouse Station, Woodhouse Rd, Quorn, Loughborough LE12 8AG

A day at the head of a lengthy 16T Mineral train with 48305 facing north in the morning prior to turning at lunchtime.

Join us for a day of steam action using Stanier 8F Class 48305 at the head of a lengthy goods train, this time with the locomotive facing north in the morning, then turned to face south later in the day

£100.00

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About this event

Our day of 8F action at the Great Central Railway that will see us run to a slightly different format. The locomotive will be turned to face north for our morning session to allow us the opportunity of capturing some wonderful winter scenes that will be backlit. Having visited at least three locations along the line we will retire for an early lunch while the loco is turned to face south, thus allowing us to capture the train at some of the more regular lineside locations. 

A north-facing engine presents some excellent backlit opportunities early in the mornings on winter’s days (weather permitting, of course!), couple that with the railways unique 16T Mineral Train and we feel we will be able to recreate those once regular scenes of North Eastern Steam in the 1960's.

As this is a goods train formation, we will be following by car, with meeting details being confirm nearer the date. 

We expect the Butler Henderson Cafe to be open at Quorn during the day and we will be able to take advantage of this facility around mid-day when the locomotive returns to Loughborough for servicing.

No.8305 (BR 48305) was built at Crewe Works from where it emerged in November 1943. The locomotive worked from a number of sheds across the Midlands including Wellingborough, Northampton, Northwich and Crewe South before being withdrawn from Speke Junction depot at Liverpool in January 1968. No.48305 was sent to Woodham Brothers scrapyard at Barry in South Wales but, rather than being cut up as scrap, was rescued for preservation and arrived at the GCR in November 1985. The locomotive was returned to traffic on 25th February 1995. Over the years, the 8F worked at a number of heritage railways before returning to the GCR on a permanent basis. The most recent overhaul was completed in 2019.

The 8F class were regular performers hauling trains over the Great Central route in British Railways days, and 48305 will make a splendid sight at the head of our lengthy goods train. We hope you will wish to join us at the Great Central Railway in March for another much-needed injection of live steam action.

Images are for illustration purposes

Event requirements

Equipment

  • Camera
  • Lenses
  • Camera protection - rain covers etc

Other things you should bring

  • Snacks

Knowledge

  • All levels welcome

Fitness

  • Medium

Other essentials

  • Sturdy outdoor shoes
  • Warm clothing
  • Wet weather gear

Event location

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