The Gloucestershire & Warickshire Railway have recently suffered a bad winter season and 2 land slips, thankfully the preservation era and many preserved railways have stepped in to help the honeybourne line in their time of need. The Great Central Railway at Loughborough are no different as they decided to hold a huge gala which was called the GR8 escape due to the large amount of 2-8-0s that would be on site and in steam/display over the weekend. first up making the gala even more special was the in steam appearance of 3 LMS 8F 2-8-0 locomotives turkish 8F 48160, LMS red 8624 & BR 48305 all appearing on the double track mainline. close on the 8F's heals were 2 GWR 2-8-0s of churchward and collet pedigree nos. 2807 and 3850 represented GWR 2-8-0s at this event looking even nicer when passing due to 2807 facing loughborough. the final 2-8-0 on site was 63601 which was out of action but on display at loughborough sheds. another visitor to this event was small prarie no. 5542 which was paired up with the auto coach which is still in leicestershire. making up the numbers were jinty tank 47406 and class 47 D1705.
all engines made an appearance on both passenger, freight, TPO and auto train workings. at the most the event ran about 15 minutes late but throught most the day the line was either on time or making it up with the last train arriving about 6 minutes late meaning i arrived home an hour late, i didn't mind though because 70013 (which was running a railtour through peterborough had already been reported as broken down and diesel hauled.
overall the GR8 escape was a fantastic gala which shows the amaing power the preservation era has to help each other in times of great need
all engines made an appearance on both passenger, freight, TPO and auto train workings. at the most the event ran about 15 minutes late but throught most the day the line was either on time or making it up with the last train arriving about 6 minutes late meaning i arrived home an hour late, i didn't mind though because 70013 (which was running a railtour through peterborough had already been reported as broken down and diesel hauled.
overall the GR8 escape was a fantastic gala which shows the amaing power the preservation era has to help each other in times of great need
