Home»All Photographs»The Great Central Railway»2016

The Great Central offers a unique perspective on preservation for the viewer. With having two tracks it is able to give the visitor an insight into a by gone era. Here the infrastructure and stations are as important as the trains many think of first. Seeing sections clear, signal arms raise and dip in orchestrated diligence was a sight to behold and enjoy. The detail of this work really pays dividends by allowing more trains, to run but also safely and in a way that is fast disappearing from the modern railway today. Indeed, the sight of two passing and of stations where trains come frequently means that it can be a faster pace of action, of interest compared with many other railways that have become as established as this.
Great Centrals staff were by and large friendly, and welcoming. I found those responsible for getting my paperwork processed to join the friends and go lineside most helpful. Equally, some of the crews both on engines, stations and stock were more than welcoming and offered great company.
It was brilliant to see the line from various other vantage points. I took safety and the instructions most seriously, but also found other great enthusiasts happy to share their knowledge of the area and interest when venturing trackside.
The four days allowed me the chance to explore and get various other photographs. I tried to survey the line and get photos from different areas. Leicester North was tried on day two, before other areas around Quorn, Rothley, and Swithland across the weekend. Highlights of the engine roster were the appearance of 70013 Oliver Cromwell as well as 78018 which was a regular engine from my own home turf of the North East and entering steam for the first time in preservation.