Diesel power takes centre stage at town’s heritage railway
THOUSANDS of enthusiasts packed trains at the Great Central Railway as vintage diesel took centre stage for a gala.
Steam power was side lined for the weekend as different locomotives dating from the 1950s and 60s wowed visitors.
“Diesel locos have their own generation of fans,” said Great Central Railway General Manager Malcolm Holmes.
“These machines represent a time when lots of different ideas for modernising Britain’s Railways were being tried out. Some when on to have long careers, others were retired quickly!”
Among those which didn’t make the grade was the Class 17, which was star guest at the GCR gala. Built in the 1960s, they had a distinctive central driving cab, with low bonnets covering the engines.
The idea was the driver could see in both directions clearly. However they were not a success and all but one was scrapped. Happily as guest of honour, on its first ever visit to the GCR, it turned heads and painted a picture of a ‘what might have been’ future!
“As diesels get older, they are just as important a part of our heritage railway story,” continued Malcolm.
“When enthusiasts come to the line for our events, they boost the whole local visitor economy and we’re delighted to play our part bringing people from all the country to Leicestershire.”
Over the weekend of the 17th & 18th June 2023, the Great Central will celebrate fifty years of running heritage trains, hauled by steam and diesel traction, with another special once in a lifetime gala event, featuring a fifty wagon freight train, full details will be on the GCR website shortly.