Home»All Photographs»Heritage Railways»GCR»2026»2026_02_01

I had been told that the GCR passenger services on Saturday 31st January 2026 had been worked by the visiting 9F and BB steam locomotives with the BB doing most of the trains. I hoped to visit on Sunday 1st February but the weather forecast was poor so a visit was touch and go to say the least. It had almost stopped raining when I left home after I decided to take a chance. My first train was the diner, unfortunately hauled tender first by 92134. I then had the privilege of DMU and 34072 backwards through the pipe bridge before a significantly delayed 9F returned towards Loughborough chimney first with the returning down diner. After a very late lunch, I realised that I had just enough time to photograph the 15:30 ex-Loughborough approaching Quorn. Surely, I would have some luck and it would be hauled by 34072? No chance! 9F 92134’s 5000 gallon tender loomed large in my viewfinder to end a rather disappointing day. Strangely, I had enjoyed myself – must be a sadist.