N2 No 1744 looked resplendent in magnificent solid gold lettering and numerals together with the GNR two greens of the paintwork. I was lucky to see the loco after its test run to Leicester and back and thank all at GCR who allowed me to photograph the loco and also Martin for his help. The following day it made its debut on a charter for the members of the Gresley Society (owners) running to Leicester North and return

A few images of the workings that took place on the Sunday during the War Weekend using my new lineside pass to good avail. The 4-BIG was used on the shuttle to Rothley until enemy fire forced it to remain at Rothley in the sidings in the afternoon!!

The Great Central Railway marked forty years of preservation progress on the weekend of the 9th and 10th of May 2009. A selection of steam and diesel engines took part in a festival marking the lines final closure and the achievements since revivalists took over.

On Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday there was a very special line up of tank engines. Two star guest engines - the N7 tank from the North Norfolk Railway (on long term loan from the East Anglian Railway Museum) and the visit of Ivatt tank no 41241 from the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. The Fairburn tank and N2 tank no 69523 in green and under restoration were also on display outside the engine shed at Loughborough

Some images from April and May 2009 of the happenings on GCR starting with N7 tank engine working over weekend 18/19 April 2009 and an image of 37314 at the Diesel Gala. Unfortunately 47714 was a non runner as well as the Class 25 which made for a depleted gala event,. 4-BIG Unit 7059 re-painted in green livery made a surprise appearance on 24 May 2009

A gala that featured 4 steam and 3 diesel locomotives in action all weekend. A selection of images from both days depicting the 60's scenes of both passenger and freight workings

The first week of February saw snowfall but unfortunately the snow soon disappeared and by the weekend only the remnants were left. Start of March brought a little sun and a nice pic of the NELPG's Q6 No 63395 was taken at Woodthorpe.

Images from the winter steam gala for 2009 billed as "At last - It's the 1968 show!" Guest steam loco was NELPG Q6 No 63395 which looked excellent on the windcutters. Sunday's weather was a real disappointment. A small amount of sun in the morning only then sleet and snow showers all afternoon. At times it was impossible to see the railway line through the blizzards.

A new event for 2009 featured steam and diesel services, with three heritage diesel locomotives in action. Also new for 2009 -was one of the repatriated Irish Rail steam heat vans used in one of the train formations ensuring constant heat. Unfortunately there was a problem with the steam heat van on the Saturday and according to sources on the train ' it was freezing' and could not be fixed. On the Sunday the van did not appear at all.

A look at some of the workings on GCR during January 2009

A little look at the Christmas 2008 Santa Specials and holiday workings on GCR including both steam and diesel. For a change the weather broght sunny clear blue skies over the period giving one or two delightful shots

A few images from November 2008. Unfortunately with poor weather and other commitments I have been unable to photograph as much as I would have liked.

A look at a few workings on the GCR during October 2008, weather permitting. Also some images of the Steam Railway Gala between 10 - 12 October 2008 which mainly featured Tornado, Leander and Lord Nelson. The weekend of 25/26 October saw City of Truro making its debut on the GCR. Wow what a month!

A look at the workings of the September 2008 Autumn Diesel Gala. D6535 at last has received a lick of paint while D5830 also has been re-painted still in Golden Ochre. Guest Loco 37314 looked grand in large logo livery. Well done everyone for another great gala.

A few pics of Tornado steaming on shed at Loughborough, 2 days after its arrival and a look at her with Inspection Saloon 999504 at Woodthorpe running under its own steam. Thanks to all at GCR and A1 Steam Trust for being so helpful and accommodating

A red letter day for the GCR with the arrival of Peppercorn Class A1 60163 Tornado at Quorn having been brought down from Darlington on 2 low loaders the previous day. After careful unloading of loco and tender by Allelys, Tornado was moved to Loughborough along the GCR metals for the first time by diesel shunter D4067.

A few pics of the goings on at GCR during August 2008

After missing the Lord's first weekend running on the GCR last weekend, it was satisfying to capture her on digital today. The sun shone on 2 of her 3 runs from Loughborough so luck was in for a change. Southern Region green blends beautifully with the Leicestershire countryside

SR 850 Lord Nelson arrived early this morning for its short stay at GCR where it will undergo some mainline testing. A few pics of its move from Quorn to Loughborough Central and a few days later at Loughborough

Lakeside and Haverthwaite Fairburn tank No. 42085 is staying for an 11-month visit to the Great Central Railway. The 2-6-4T will undergo a seven-month light repair by Loughborough Standard Locomotives Group volunteers, with assistance from the GCR’s full time engineering staff. As a 'one off' the loco ran over the weekend of 21 and 22 June 2008 with permission of Lakeside and Haverthwaite railway

An interesting line up for this gala that included Sir Lamiel and Oliver Cromwell both working goods and passenger trains. Sunday was a better day for the weather although it was pot luck in the afternoon with the sun

A few images of Oliver Cromwel before this beast goes off to York for a while and for once the sun shone. Is there any better spot than Kinchley Lane?

Saturday 3 May 2008 saw BR Standard 7, Britannia Class,no. 70013 'Oliver Cromwell' make its first passenger run with the 1710 Loughborough Central - Leicester North service much to the delight of all. The Bank Holiday weekend found 'Ollie' delighting many worshipers unlike that other one at the Walkers Stadium

An immaculate DRS 37610 was named T.S (Ted) Cassady at the GCR, after the sad death of the same person who was aged 46, on Thursday 24 April 2008 in a special ceremony at the request of his widow. DRS then allowed the loco to be run over the weekend hauling 5 return passenger services on the GCR which were very well patronised by enthusiasts

Another well run diesel gala with guest loco 37314'Dalzell' being the icing on the cake. Lucky with the weather on saturday and managed some nice images of the Tractor. Pity there was no freight at this event. It would hve been nice to see 37314 with the windcutters

Limited number of pics from this event mainly due to the poor weather over this weekend. 3 steam and 3 diesel loco's took part from the home fleet but unfortunately guest diesel loco Class 40 D212 from Midland Railway, Butterley was unable to be transported to the GCR in time.

A few images from the months of February and March 2008 when you expect some freezing weather but so far its been very mild

A very good event blessed with some sunny weather especially on the Sunday. The three guests of 4953 Pitchford Hall, 4F 44422 and 30777 Sir Lamiel supplemented the home steam engines and both days all performed with gusto. A good turn out on the trains with lots of lineside photographers added to the flavour of the event

4953 Pitchford Hall arrived at Quorn Yard on friday afternoon 18 January 2008 by low loader from Tyseley for next weekends steam gala. The tender followed separately by the same method arriving saturday afternoon. Some pics of the tender and 4953 in the yard on sat afternoon - once again the weather was typically English!

A look at the workings on the GCR during January 2008