‘First Hurrah’ plans sketched out

AS THE Great Central Railway re-opened on April 17 it revealed outline details of its ‘First Hurrah’ event on June 4-6.

“It promises to be an exciting event over three days, with four steam, one diesel-hauled freight and our DMU in service,” said the GCR. “While the present situation doesn’t allow us to run our usual gala programme until later in the year, we are looking forward to staging an event that allows visitors to travel behind different steam locos in a busy timetable on our double track, in a safe and socially distanced environment,” it added.

Tickets will be sold for a journey where each of the four steam locos will haul the train for a portion of the trip. Trains will depart from Quorn & Woodhouse and will visit Loughborough Central and Leicester North (twice), with an opportunity to stop at Rothley during the journey.

(Robert Falconer) Mel Holley News Writer GWR 4-6-0 6990 Witherslack Hall departs from Loughborough on Easter Sunday, April 4, with a driver refresher train, getting ready for the return of public trains.