PRESS INFORMATION

Date: 10 April 2014

Contact: Kate Tilley, Great Central Railway - Tel: 07515 596835

THE GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY’S RAILWAYS GALA RETURNS

The golden age of trainspotting is back with exclusive access to four tracks of action!

9th, 10th and 11th May 2014.

It was the brand new hit heritage railway gala of 2013 and now it’s back - with more steam. The Great Central Railway will once again open the gates of its award winning Swithland Sidings complex for visitors in May. Stand by the line and drink in the action as the trains roar past on the main line and shunt in the sidings. It’s a spotters’ paradise!

Up to nine locomotives will be in action, with two big hitters and two special guest stars. Topping the bill is the recently arrived British Railways Class 9F number 92214. Its passenger lining livery will be painted out and the locomotive will have a ‘weathered’ appearance, appearing on a selection of freight stock. Another BR icon, standard class 7 number 70013, ‘Oliver Cromwell’ will provide handsome motive power for passenger services.

The two guest locomotives have never appeared the GCR before. Lambton number 29 is tank engine with a north eastern freight pedigree, while GWR Pannier Tank (currently wearing London Transport livery) L92 ended its days working engineers trains around the LT system. Both will appear at Swithland sidings during the event on shunting duties.

The steam roster is completed with GCR ‘home fleet’ locomotives GNR N2 class number 1744, BR standard 2 number 78019 (one of the last chances to see this locomotive before withdrawal for overhaul), LMS 3F number 47406, LMS 8F number 48624, and finally a locomotive from the National Collection, SR Arthur Class number 777 ‘Sir Lamiel’.

Kate Tilley, marketing manager for the Great Central Railway said, “We were delighted people enjoyed the Swithland gala last year, so it’s back with more steam and more action at the sidings. This is the closest you can get

BRITAIN’S ONLY DOUBLE TRACK, MAIN LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY Great Central Railway, Great Central Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 1RW Tel: (01509) 632323

PRESS INFORMATION to the glory days of train spotting without a time machine! Stand by the fence and watch the trains roll past. Our award winning signalling at Swithland makes it possible to present one of the busiest and best pieces of railway theatre in the country today.”

A complimentary shuttle bus will take passengers from Quorn and Woodhouse station direct to Swithland sidings, usually strictly off limits to visitors. The sidings are at the heart of the GCR’s unique double track network. Refreshments will be available at the sidings and guests can stand by the line watching the trains go past as long as they wish. Where possible, GCR operational staff will be dressed in period clothing to help photographers capture the perfect picture.

There will also be a real ale tent at Quorn and Woodhouse station and other lineside attractions including postal carriages open to view.

Adult fares start at £22 for an all-day runabout ticket, or just £15 for Friends of the . There is more information online and tickets can be pre- booked at www.gcrailway.co.uk

All locomotives appear subject to availability and short notice repairs.

ENDS WORDS 505

FURTHER INFORMATION: Details on the above and all forthcoming events can be found on the Great Central Railway's extensive website: www.gcrailway.co.uk Additional information can also be obtained from the Booking Office, Loughborough Central Station, (Daily 9.00 - 5.30) on 01509 632323

NOTES Voted number 12 on the list of the 50 greatest railway journeys in the world the Great Central Railway is the UK's only double track, main line heritage railway. It’s the only place in the world where full size steam engines can be seen passing each other – just as it was when steam ruled the rails. The preserved railway celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2009, and is manned by around 700 volunteers and a small team of permanent staff. Preservation of this section of the Great Central Railway began in 1969. The route was originally part of a main line from Sheffield to London. The 8 mile preserved section between Loughborough and Leicester is fully operational and the 4 stations reflect a different period of the railways 111 year history. Around 100,000 visitors a year come to the railway from all over the world.

Trains run every weekend of the year, bank holidays and daily in the summer. In addition, First Class

BRITAIN’S ONLY DOUBLE TRACK, MAIN LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY Great Central Railway, Great Central Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 1RW Tel: (01509) 632323

PRESS INFORMATION Restaurant Car Services provide famous dining experiences course, whilst passengers travel between Loughborough and Leicester. Childhood engine driver dreams can come true with a Drive a Train Experience. We also run a number of family events, including Santa Specials. The railway has won a number of awards including “independent railway of the year”, and a gold award for the East Midlands best visitor experience and is a quality assured visitor attraction as designated by Enjoy England.

BRITAIN’S ONLY DOUBLE TRACK, MAIN LINE HERITAGE RAILWAY Great Central Railway, Great Central Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 1RW Tel: (01509) 632323