The final enthusiast event of the year for the Loughborough Central-Leicester North line saw both a diesel locomotive (BR Class 33 D6535) and railcar (Derby Lightweight Iris) operating alongside five steam locomotives that included the public debut of newly overhauled BR 2-6-0 class 2MT No. 78019, operating with classmate No. 78018 for the first time in preservation; the latter had developed a fault just six days before the event, which entailed the shed staff replacing a steam pipe inside the boiler during the week to enable the locomotive to run as planned.
Ahead of scheduled winter maintenance, Iris was turned to face the opposite direction to its appearance at the September 29-October 2 Autumn Steam Gala.
An intensive timetable ran late into Saturday evening, complete with dining trains and differing double-headed formations each day, offering plenty of enjoyment for a final
