It was full steam ahead at the Great Central Railway in January as the line played host to several photo charters as well as its January 15/16 East Coast Mainline Weekend – the latter being the last opportunity to travel behind No. 60163 Tornado prior to the commencement of its overhaul at the end of the month. The popular ‘A1’ starred alongside members of the home fleet, recreating scenes from the past on a variety of passenger workings, as well as the line’s fleet of finely restored wagons.
DAVE BOWLES
MIXED TRAFFIC: WR ‘Modified Hall’ 4-6-0 No. 6990 Witherslack Hall passes ‘2MT’ 2-6-0 No. 46521 at Swithland on January 12.
RALPH WARD
‘MICKEY MOUSE’ AWAKENS: Shortly after sunrise on January 12 at 08.15, BR Ivatt ‘2MT’ 2-6-0 No. 46521 approaches Rabbit Bridge, Swithland, with a train of Mk.1 Suburban carriages during an organised Timeline Events photographic charter.
JACK BOSKETT
THE PAST IN THE PRESENT: ‘A1’ 4-6-2 No. 60163 Tornado works a van train on the Great Central Railway during a Timeline Events photo charter on January 14.
MAT YARDLEY
FLY PAST: The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust’s Peppercorn ‘A1’ Pacific No. 60163 Tornado storms across Swithland Viaduct on the Great Central Railway with a busy nine-coach train from Loughborough to Leicester North on January 9.
CHRIS MILNER
STANDARD FREIGHT: In a timeless scene, BR ‘5MT’ 4-6-0 No. 73156 is about to go under the A6 road bridge with the 11.50 fitted freight to Leicester North on January 15.