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Tuesday 8th March 2022 Great Central Railway, Loughborough, LE11 1RW

A day of photography with a dawn start featuring visiting BR 4MT No.80080 on two different rakes

A days photography starting at dawn featuring visiting BR No.80080 facing north (early morning) and south (later in the day) hauling two different rakes

£79.00

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About this event

Join us for a day of photography featuring visiting British Railways ‘4MT’ Class 2-6-4T No.80080 at the head of the two-coach maroon suburban set for an early morning northbound session at at least 3 different locations (one not visited for at least 10 years). Followed by a change of stock to a newly formed Parcels Train for some more traditional southbound working over some of the familiar locations. 

During the day, the locomotive will face both north (in the morning) and south (later in the day) to maximise the opportunities to capture a variety of different locations.

The day will start at 06.30 hours and we aim to be at Rabbit Bridge in time to capture sunrise shots as seen in the image above should the weather be kind. After this we will move on to two further locations, one north of Quorn, a new location for TimeLine charters and one that has not been successfully attempted for over ten years. The exact details of meeting and starting point will be confirmed nearer the day, though it will be a very early start. 

After this, we will have a break for a late breakfast at the Butler Henderson Cafe while the locomotive is serviced and turned, and the second crew takes over. Then we will photograph at locations in and around Quorn for the afternoon before an earlier than usual finish at 15.45-16.00 hours. Although it is an early finish time, the dawn start will make for a day that is quite long enough for crews and participants alike. We will be following by car today.

Designed by Robert Riddles, No.80080 was built at Brighton in March 1954, one of an eventual 155 members of the class, and was initially allocated to Plaistow Depot (33A) before transfer to Tilbury later that Spring to work commuter services on the Eastern Region’s London, Tilbury and Southend route. In July 1962, electrification in the south of England saw No.80080 transferred to Croes Newydd Shed (84J) on the Western Region, the depot later becoming part of London Midland Region. Withdrawal came in 1965 and, like so many locos, the 4MT was despatched to Woodham Brothers Scrapyard at Barry in South Wales for disposal. Reprieved from the cutters torch, rescue for preservation came in 1980 though after fourteen years in the open its condition was poor and many parts had already been removed by others. Restoration took place at the Midland Railway Centre in Derbyshire and 80080 first returned to steam in preservation in 1987. Since then, it has made regular appearances on the main line working enthusiast specials and has also worked on a number of heritage lines.

We would like to thank the locomotive’s owners, the Princess Royal Class Locomotive Society, and the host Great Central Railway for facilitating this event. Our charter promises some rather different opportunities in terms of both rolling stock and locations, and we look forward to seeing you at the Great Central in early March for some early Spring steam photography featuring a locomotive facing both north and south during the course of the day.

Images used are for illustrative purposes only and as always we can not gaurantee the weather conditions on the day. 

Please also save the 9th for a further day of photography on the GCR, more details to be announced very soon.

Event requirements

Equipment

  • Spare batteries
  • Camera
  • Lenses
  • Camera protection - rain covers etc

Other things you should bring

  • Snacks

Knowledge

  • All levels welcome

Fitness

  • Medium

Other essentials

  • High vis jacket
  • Sturdy outdoor shoes
  • Warm clothing
  • Wet weather gear

Event location