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Wednesday 3rd November 2021 Great Central Railway, Swithland Sidings, Swithland, Leicester LE7 7SE

A day’s goods-hauled steam action with 48305 facing north in the morning prior to turning at mid-day

Join us for a second 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

£120.00

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About this event

Our second day of 8F action at the Great Central Railway sees us run to a slightly different format. The locomotive will be turned on the Thursday evening following our first charter with the 8F ready for an early start the following morning when we will have a north-facing engine. This will present us with an unusual early morning opportunity and we will run until lunchtime with the loco facing north before being turned at Quorn around mid-day ready for an afternoon session with the loco facing south. A north-facing engine presents some excellent backlit opportunities early in the mornings on winter’s days (weather permitting, of course!) and will also see the goods vehicles that were marshalled at the rear of the train with the 8F facing south appearing directly behind the loco at the front of the train to add further variety to our shots.

As this is a goods train formation, we will be following by car so please drive directly to Kinchley Lane to meet and for our safety briefing before our first shots of the day. Numbers on this charter will be limited to 25 photographers only. This is because, if we still need to observe an element of social distancing, we want to ensure the wellbeing of our participants which has to be our prime concern. Though we hope to be through the worst of the Covid-19 situation by then, if there is any lingering virus concern then following by car will be an added advantage.

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a number of sheds across the Midlands including Wellingborough, Northampton, Northwich and Crewe South before being withdrawn from Speke Junction depot at Liverpool in January 1968.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.


Currently all of our events will run in line with our Covid-19 policy that follows government guidelines. You can find our Covid-19 policy information page here.


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

  • Low

Other essentials

  • Sturdy outdoor shoes
  • Warm clothing
  • Wet weather gear

Event location