GCR ‘DRIVE-IN CINEMA’ EVENT IS FIRST PUBLIC STEAM SINCE MARCH
A drive-in cinema-style experience was the Great Central Railway’s novel solution to allowing the public the first opportunity to experience live steam anywhere in Britain since lockdown.
The railway opened a field adjacent to Quorn & Woodhouse station on May 31 at short notice, enabling enthusiasts to watch a series of light engine moves using ‘2MT’ No. 78018, while observing the government’s imposed twometre social distancing rule.
The trials, which also involved a Class 37 diesel, were part of operational staff refreshers, as well as to test locomotives, track, points and signal operations.
“We also did it to let people know that the railway was still operational because of trespassing,” GCR spokesman
Michael Stokes added on June 9. “Approximately 50 cars were parked… we measured the distance between each car and asked people to stay in front of their vehicles. It worked well so hopefully we might do some more.”
The Standard ‘2MT’ had been previously trialled over the line on May 18 with empty coaching stock, becoming the first full size locomotive to haul a train at a preserved railway since March.
The railway said on June 17 that it plans to “open in some form towards the end of July”.
“We have a draft recovery plan and draft risk assessments which we are going through at the moment hoping to finalise in the next seven days. The recovery plan is for the running of trains and opening of the cafes.”
While the GCR is still advertising special events, including the keynote October steam gala, these are still to be confirmed.
●● While the GCR has not launched a dedicated coronavirus appeal, its managing director Michael Gough has appealed for support for the upgrade of its Loughborough based locomotive workshop.
He said: “During the Covid-19 crisis, the railway has been forced to use up all of its cash reserves including vital match funding set aside to add to the funds raised by their appeal for the new locomotive works and education centre to be built. Thus the ongoing success of that appeal through the purchase of commemorative plaques is even more needed and the GCR is asking for its friends and supporters to visit www.gcrailway. co.uk/shedappeal to help ensure that the project may still proceed after the current pandemic.”