5th & 6th June 2025
Much preparatory works – undertaken to support the National Commemoration of the first passenger carrying train which ran between SHILDON & DARLINGTON & STOCKTON on 27th September 1825 – resulted in busy and memorable celebrations, from Leicester North to Ruddington.
Pulled by George Stephenson’s LOCOMOTION No. 1, to wild acclaim, for ever afterwards, Britain’s landscape (and society) would never be the same.
Steam -hauled trains, Deltic diesels and Multiple Units (D.M.U’s.) provided excited children and their ‘minders’ a full day’s travel, with Vintage busses from their Ruddington base, completing the travel picture over both days.
Uniformed Station staff, and volunteers (some wearing period dress) ensured all went smoothly. Compared with Stephenson’s Locomotion No.1 – this was a ‘modern’ experience. Complemented however, with G.C.R. Rolling Stock Trust’s Victorian, Gas-lit, 3rd Class 6-wheeler stationed in GCR(S)’s yard at ROTHLEY station (midway along the southern G.C. Rails).
Carriage No. 946, normally under the protection of the museum at the MountSorrel & Rothley Community Heritage Centre site on the Quarry Spur at Mount Sorrel, was drawn out a few days beforehand and proudly displayed on rails in Rothley Station Yard. This was supported by a static display presenting the restored 946 and the current “Barnum” project.
Saturday the 5th dawned dry and (relatively) bright. Once the trains began arriving at Rothley Station, 946 drew a continuous stream of visitors of all ages. Delighted to be allowed inside, many photo opportunities and questions arose. Most had never seen such an attractive (and old!) carriage before, and enquiries as to its history and future use were made and answered. Sunday the 6th brought some morning rain which dampened (literally!) visitor numbers. However, p.m. sunshine restored admirers in similar numbers.
Overall, the public view was all for riding in 946, and as soon as possible. They were further interested that the Victorian and the Edwardian “Barnums” were anticipated running together to show the evolution of rail travel, for comparison with the BR carriages familiar to so many.
From the GCR Trust’s point of view, donations and sales of railway books were a welcome addition to our funds, and we also have the prospect of a new Volunteer (Engineering student) – joining us in the near future.
Apologies from the author, but there was no time to take photographs ‘on the day’. However, there are pictures of 946’s journey from Nunckley Hill (Mount Sorrel Station) towards Rothley. This is her second public presence. Quite a few of the ‘older’ visitors were familiar with the outlines of the “Quintinshill Disaster” of 1915 and were very appreciative of viewing the carriage type involved, as well as gaining further insight into the malign role the gas supply played in this – Britain’s worst rail accident ever.
Many thanks go to both the GCR(S) Carriage & Wagon Gp., for hosting 946, and for their engine drivers and associated staff / Volunteers – lead by Matthew Self, in bringing her down and returning her to Nunckley. These thanks extended also to Steve Cramp and team at Nunckley Hill. Quite a few Visitors, even living locally, had not heard of “Granite’s” and the Mount Sorrel Museum, so we were glad to pass this information and its delights on.
Roger Penson
Chair.
Emerging from its museum
In-line for Rothley (Green WWII Ambulance car at rear)
Changing tracks for hook up
Vintage railway carriage preservation at its finest. Contact us today for more information.
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