The Great Central Railway Winter Steam Gala - 24th & 25th January 2020 filmed from the lineside.

Passenger and goods trains share the double track main line between Leicester and Rothley running to a very busy timetable. Ten steam locomotives are to be seen including guests "Pitchford Hall" and K1 62005. Several trains were double-headed and at Swithland Sidings both main lines and passing loops can be seen occupied such was the intensity of the timetabled service. Also look out for the North Eastern Railway 1903 Electric Autocar in passenger service for the first time.
The opening scene shows Hall Class locomotives 4935 and 6990 doubleheading a Loughborough to Leicester train at Quorn.

[@rodneymaennling5963]

I thoroughly enjoyed this lovely virtual visit. Lots of activity, and passengers having fun.
My one visit was in 1976. My son and I traveled behind a Black Five locomotive, recently restored to service, and am well famlliar with those steady locos, as I grew up alongside the LMS line, as a Harrow-on-Hill boy.
I wish everyone great success for many steam ups!
Rodney Maennling Vancouver Island Canada

[@andybennett5570]

Thanks Rodney for your kind comments - I too am a Harrow area boy but a tad too young to witness regular steam on the GCR main line - just a vague childhood memory of a filthy Black 5 on a Nottingham bound service from Marylebone.

[@SimonTog]

Lovely video Andy :)

[@andybennett5570]

Thanks Simon - sometimes I need encouragement for all the early starts to shoot these films!

[@flippop101]

Some lovely shots here, and if I may say, a superb channel. Thank you very much!

[@andybennett5570]

Thanks Philip, glad you enjoy the films. I get the enjoyment from being "out there" doing the filming!

[@williamtacey1783]

GCR home Fleet
47406 LMS Jinty 3F 0-6-0T
92214 BR Standard 9F 2-10-0
78018 BR Standard 2MT 2-6-0
48305 LMS William Stanier 8F 2-8-0
6990 GWR Witherslack Hall 4-6-0
73156 BR Standard 5MT 4-6-0
46521 LMS Ivatt 2 Mogul 2-6-0
45305 LMS William Stanier Black Five 4-6-0
Loco visited Fleet
62005 LNER B1 Peppercorn 2-6-0
4953 GWR Pitchford Hall 4-6-0 from EOR
since January 2020 stored locomotives
63601 GCR O4 2-8-0
45491 LMS William Stanier Black Five 4-6-0
48624 LMS William Stanier 8F 2-8-0
70013 BR Standard Oliver Cromwell 7MT 4-6-2
78019 BR Standard 2MT 2-6-0
30777 SR Sir Lamiel S15
34039 SR West Country Boscastle 4-6-2P

[@joesvoboda3509]

Hate to be a downer here but what are the Great Central Railway and all the other tourist railways in the UK going to do when the government bans burning coal? Apply for an exemption? Convert their steam locomotives to oil burners and burn used cooking oil (the Grand Canyon Railroad in the US is currently experimenting with this)? Other?