1. A full day with legendary British Railways Pacific Oliver Cromwell working the GCR's superb van train, Wednesday 10th October 2018
Great Central Railway, Loughborough, LE11 1RW

A full day with legendary British Railways Pacific Oliver Cromwell working the GCR's superb van train, Wednesday 10th October 2018

A full day of classic steam photography at the Great Central Railway featuring the legendary British Railways Pacific No.70013 Oliver Cromwell at the head of the line's superbly authentic 1950s/1960s van train.

£80.00

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About this event

We are delighted to be able to offer the second of two days of double track steam action featuring the mighty British Railways Pacific No.70013 Oliver Cromwell, today at the head of the Great Central Railway's fine rake of 1950s/1960s vans. 


The Railway's van train really looks 'the business' following repainting and there is now a train of more than adequate length to pair with former main line locomotives (steam and diesel!) on double track. The splendid appearance of this rake is in no small measure thanks to the many of you who kindly supported the repaints financially, so it is an appropriate time to thank you - on behalf of both TimeLine Events and the Great Central Railway - for your generous and very much appreciated contributions. 


Due to its part in the final weeks of British Railways main line steam in 1968, Oliver Cromwell achieved a somewhat iconic status amongst enthusiasts who gathered on 11th August 1968 to witness the last rites (or so they thought) of steam on the national network. The Riddles-designed Pacific was one of four locomotives which hauled the Fifteen Guinea Special, the final steam rail tour under British Railways auspices, with 70013 hauling the Manchester to Liverpool leg of this trip. 


On the day following the special, the locomotive moved under its own steam to Norwich and from there on to Diss where it was transported onwards by road the short distance to Alan Bloom's Bressingham Steam Museum and Gardens where, as part of the National Collection, it was preserved. The locomotive was maintained in working order until the 1980s, after which it was on static display at Bressingham. In 2004, moves began to return 70013 to working order in time for the fortieth anniversary of the end of British Railways steam. Since 2008, the loco has regularly performed on main line specials but is now close to the end of its boiler ticket. 


Our day will start at Loughborough station at 07.30am where we will gather for our customary but very important safety briefing. Oliver Cromwell will face South for our charter. As we are using non-passenger stock, we will travel to the various locations by car. We recommend car sharing to as great an extent as possible to minimise the number of cars for which we have to find parking space. We will make sure everyone has a place in a car before we leave Loughborough, hopefully with someone who knows the way! 


With Oliver Cromwell now entering the last few months of its boiler certificate, opportunities to charter the locomotive are few and far between. We are grateful to have been offered these Autumnal dates with 70013 and hope that many of you will wish to join us as another steam legend enters its twilight months in traffic. 



Event timings
This event will run approximateley 07:30 to 18:30.


Event Cost £80.00 per person.




EVENT REQUIREMENTS


Equipment:

Camera

Lenses- suggest bringing lens lengths between 16-200mm

Spare batteries

Memory cards

 

Photography Knowledge:

Basic to Advanced

Fitness Level:

Low - Medium

 

Other

Appropriate outdoor clothing and walking footwear


 

Event requirements

Event location

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