GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY EASTER GALA

With the spring and summer season for 2022 now well underway it is good to see how many events have survived the two years of ‘lockdown’. More importantly perhaps it is good to see that interest from the general public, as opposed to hardened enthusiasts, does not seem to have tailed off. David Vaughan reports on one event that has reverted to its regular slot, the Great Central Railway’s Easter Gala held at the line’s Quorn and Woodhouse station. The event did take place last year but on a later calender date, and this year it celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Your reporter arrived in fine style aboard a genuine Foden traction wagon pulled by Burrell road locomotive No. 4093 of 1931 , with owners Dennis and Brian Smith. In the meantime three engines belonging to members of the Claude Jessett Trust came up on a low-loader, making good time from their Sussex base and arriving early on Thursday afternoon. These were Tasker chain driven B2 tractor No. 1765 of 1918, Wallis & Steevens oilbath tractor No. 7941 of 1920 and Wallis & Steevens 6-ton Advance roller No.8047 of 1930.