Join us this weekend Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd July for the Great Central Railway Nottingham Summer Diesel Gala. Starring Prototype High Speed Train power car 41001 and our matching Mk3 coaches (with Mk2a TSO also attached) along with new arrivals 33035, 45060, 47828, plus resident fleet 47292, 47765 and the return of mighty 56097, with brief appearances by E6016 (73110).
A heritage bus service will link East Midlands Parkway National Rail station with Rushcliffe Halt GCRN station. Full information including diesel gala tickets and other bus routes serving GCRN, plus full diesel gala TIMETABLE and LOCOMOTIVE ROSTER are available on the GCRN website.
The first HST visit to the Whitby branch took place on 23 April 1988, the railtour is seen arriving at Battersby on its outward run with 43118 leading. Photo Copyright Richard Allen
With huge thanks to East Midlands Trains and the Etches Park depot team, we are delighted to announce an exciting addition to the Pickering Paxman HST “Railway Children” charity charter on Saturday 15 July 2017.
Departing at an earlier estimated time of 05.30, our 8-car HST will be hauled from Derby station on to Etches Park depot by 2 x Class 08 (both under power). EMT’s own 08899 has been fully confirmed …
*** UPDATE … and use of 08417 is now also CONFIRMED with thanks to East Midlands Trains, LORAM and Network Rail. Both 08899 and 08417 will be crewed and both locomotives will be under power. ***
It is booked that the charter will traverse the old Carriage Wash Road, which has not featured in the various recent BLS charters at Etches Park. The HST set will then return by taking the Pilot Siding (not previously covered) and the Goods Lines including St Mary’s crossover (avoiding Derby station), under its own power, before picking up at Chesterfield Platform 3 at 06.52 (estimated) , then proceeding to Sheffield as booked.
For those who just wish to travel on this short addition, a special advance single fare Derby – Etches Park depot – Chesterfield of £29.00 applies.
For those who wish to travel on the shunters and then on to York (and return) as they are heading to the Wensleydale Railway event (where a Class 60 is expected to feature), a special advance fare of £39.00 applies.
Finally, standard class fares remain available for the entire journey including the shunter special and the journey to North Yorkshire Moors Railway and Whitby (platform 2). First class dining is fully sold out. Those who have already booked will be able to travel on the shunter special at no extra charge. Any passengers who may wish to have an extra hour in bed rather than enjoy the rare line and rare locos will be permitted to travel with the compliments of East Midlands Trains on the 06.27 Meridian service from Derby to Chesterfield platform 1, arriving at 06.45, where they can make the short transfer to platform 3 for the 125 Special.
Note that our visit to Whitby is now AFTER our visit to Pickering.
The updated booking form is available, click HERE.
