GWR Meets GCR! Great Central Railway - 'Winter Steam Gala' 2025

For many enthusiasts, the Great Central Railway’s ‘Winter Steam Gala’ signifies the start of the new year’s operating season. Following the intensive workload of Christmas services and ‘Mince Pie Specials’, heritage lines across the UK close up to recoup their resources. But barely weeks into the new calender, this surviving stretch of the London extension throws open its doors to welcome visitors to a four-day festival of steam, occasionally complemented by clear skies above.

Guest locomotives are no stranger to the GCR, having played host to some of the biggest names in preservation. However, three visitors is a rarity for the line, all with Great Western pedigree. Headlining the event was new-build Collett 68XX 6880 ‘Betton Grange’, fresh from her star turn at the nearby Battlefield Line’s ‘Winter Warmer Steam Gala’. Supporting her were fellow western workshorses ‘2884’ 3850 from the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway and 56XX 6695 from the Swindon and Cricklade Railway. Known for its lengthy goods rakes, enthusiasts were keen to see the engines running with authentic consists. Turning the trio into a foursome would be the GCR’s own 6990 ‘Witherslack Hall’, which when paired up with ‘Betton Grange’ made for a fantastic sight!

Other home fleet locomotives included a selection of BR Standards such as 5MT 73156 and the pair of 2MT Moguls, 78018 and 78019. Taking many by surprise was the appearance of ‘Austerity’ 68067. Having only just returned from long-term loan to the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, her role in the gala would mark the loco’s first turn at her home base since 2018! In total, eight locomotives made up the roster. Three different freights saw action between Loughborough and Rothley Brook including vans, minerals and a short mixed set. With up to forty departures each day, there was certainly no shortage of things to see!

I visited on the Saturday and Sunday of the gala. Unfortunately, 78018 failed on Friday evening with piston troubles, causing some allocations alterations on Saturday. Therefore, much of the home fleet remained on freight services whilst the visitors handled passenger trains. By Sunday morning, the Standard 2MT was back in action, although I didn't manage to catch it working. The weather on Saturday couldn’t have been better with cloudless skies against chilly temperatures. Sunday saw more wintry conditions, before heavy rain and wind gusts arrived in the afternoon.

The full lineup consisted of:

Visiting:
GWR Collett 2884 2-8-0 3850 (from Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd and the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway)
GWR Collett 56XX 0-6-2T 6695 (from the 6695 Locomotive Group and the Swindon and Cricklade Railway)
GWR Collett 68XX ‘Grange’ 4-6-0 6880 ‘Betton Grange’ (from the 6880 Betton Grange Society Ltd)

Home Fleet:
Hudswell Clarke ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST 68067 (first gala appearance since returning to the GCR. Ran on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only)
GWR Hawksworth ‘Modified Hall’ 4-6-0 6990 ‘Witherslack Hall’ (ran on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only)
BR Standard 5MT 4-6-0 73156 (ran on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only)
BR Standard 2MT 2-6-0 78019 (ran on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only)
BR Standard 2MT 2-6-0 78018 (ran on Thursday, Friday and Sunday only. Failed on Friday evening)*
BR Derby Lightweight Railcar 77900 'Iris' (On long-term loan from the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway)*

*does not feature.

I hope you all enjoy the video. I’ve never seen the GCR so busy, either onboard trains or at the lineside! Massive thanks to all staff and volunteers for their efforts. You did yourselves and your railway proud! Make sure to follow us on Instagram at   / secondvalvesteam   for exclusive updates and photos. Feel free to comment and subscribe!