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AndyH @andyh616.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

#McRaturday The amazing looking #BRCW Sulzer type 2, 27056, in very fetching BR blue livery complete with white bodyside stripe & red bufferbeam, standing in Loughborough Central station during the September Great Central Railway autumn diesel gala. #GCR @brcwco.bsky.social 4/9/26

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AndyH @andyh616.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

#MidweekPeak Let him who hath understanding reckon the number of the beast*...👹 D123 looking every bit the handsome devil during the recent #GreatCentralRailway diesel gala. Love this livery on the big green Type 4, perfectly matched to those mk1s. #GCR #Peak #LADY 4/9/26

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The Independent Brigg Line Rail Group @iblrg.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Brigg Signal Box & Crossing in the snow on the 23rd March 2008. The line is blocked by sleepers, this picture was taken when Associated British Ports paid for the upgraded of sections of the Brigg Line.

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The Independent Brigg Line Rail Group @iblrg.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

On This Day. 26th September 1998 Brigg. 37042 & 37658 with a mixed freight working. © Philip Wheldale.

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AndyH @andyh616.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

#ThirtyThreeThursday Guest engine at the recent Great Central Railway diesel gala, 33103 'Swordfish' put in some great performances. We rode the trains on Friday but popped back to Quorn for a coffee & cake on Saturday & i got this 📸 of her on the rear of a Leicester bound train #GCR 5/9/26

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Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

#OnThisDay 158 years ago Quainton Road was opened by the Aylesbury & Buckingham Railway under pressure from the 3rd Duke of Buckingham, to serve nearby Wotton House. Metropolitan Line trains served this distant outpost until 1936. I snapped this on a Branch Line Society railtour in 2018

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Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

1954 British Railways Eastern Region Passenger Trains Facilities booklet with the regional map prior to widespread closures. The London Transport Central line, transferred from the main line, is still on the map - stations still accepting parcels & goods. #railways #1950s #map ↘️ flic.kr/p/2sCpcYG

There is something quite visually appealing about the Philip's railway system maps for British Railways; yes, there can be a fair amount of station name 'clashes' but overall they give a good sense of the network, in this case revised to March 1954, and how it 'sat' in the topographic landscape. This particular version appears in the 1954 issue of the "Passenger Train Facilities" booklet for the Region and it shows the many lines allowing for some early closures but before the swathe of abandonments that the next decade would see. The only downside of such a map is the slight downplaying of other Region's services; in some areas these were quite important yet here, as if they were competing companies, they can be a little understated!

Later versions of the map show the 'Great Northern' and 'Great Eastern' lines in separate colours - after the central shackles of the BTC were lifted a little - and another feature is that the lines in east London and Essex transferred to the Central line of London Transport still appear here with stations still open for parcels and freight; operation of such trains in between Central line trains were at the time still to be seen. This is seen in one of two district insets; London and Sheffield.

The Region's lines are shown in red, the North Sea in blue and the map is framed in dark blue - the BR totem and regional title in white on a panel, top edge.

Passenger Train Facilities : Eastern Region : British Railways : 1954 : A marvellous booklet, issued by the Eastern Region of British Railways in 1954, and giving "a synopsis of facilities for passengers and for the conveyance of luggage, parcels, merchandise, etc., by passenger train". These include fares, services such as catering and hotels, along with a multi-page list of passenger stations, enquiry offices and agencies, their telephone numbers and where applicable, early closing days. There is also a map of the Region's lines.

The cover is in dark blue with totem and titling in white; top and lower edge shows a running border of an outline of a steam locomotive and carriages (running left - right at top and right - left at lower).

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Great Central Railway (1897) @greatcentralrailwy.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Coincidentally and out of the blue I have just received through the post "Robinson 4-6-0s of the Great Central Railway. A modeller's guide" with technical drawings, published by the Great Central Railway Society which I am an original member of. @philipjtaylor.bsky.social

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AndyH @andyh616.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

#ThirtySevenThursday Good timing to catch a flock of birds passing overhead as #HeavyTractor 37714 'Cardiff Canton' prepares to depart from Loughborough Central with the goods wagon set during the Great Central Railway diesel gala. #Class37 #GCR 4/9/26

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Philip Taylor @philipjtaylor.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

The Great Central Railway also named a locomotive "Valour" as a mobile War Memorial. @greatcentralrailwy.bsky.social

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AndyH @andyh616.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

#TwentySevenTuesday The immaculate 27056 at Loughborough Central during the recent Great Central Railway autumn diesel gala. I really love the atmosphere at this station, it's always a pleasure to visit. This #McRat has #Midland history with early spells at CW & TO depots. #GCR #BRCW 4/9/26

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Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

#OnThisDay 175 years ago the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway opened Sheffield Victoria station, replacing an earlier station at Bridgehouses. BR focused services at Sheffield (Midland) and Victoria dwindled, closing in 1970. David Faircloth buff.ly/pQy2rXE

Class 77 electric loco on a passenger service stands at Platform 2 Sheffield Victoria in 1966.

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Ralph Berry @rdrberry.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Saturday diversions at the @greatcentralrailwy.bsky.social

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AndyH @andyh616.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

My ride back from London to Banbury earlier today on 1R25 11.02 London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street. #ChilternRailways #ChilternExplorer 68023 awaiting departure from the capital. Great to have one of these sets each way on my travels this week. 🐱 10/9/26

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Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

#OnThisDay 65 years ago the Metropolitan Line was cut back from Aylesbury to Amersham following electrification from Rickmansworth to Amersham and introduction of A60 Stock. Previously trains switched between electric and steam locomotives at Rickmansworth buff.ly/kKFsCJV

A postcard entitled 'RICKMANSWORTH: Electric to Steam Sept. 1961' depicts an electric loco having just attached to a train destined for Liverpool Street in the London-bound platform while a steam loco, presumably having just hauled the train from Aylesbury, stands in the adjacent bay as it appears to be about to take on water.

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Philip Taylor @philipjtaylor.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Loughborough Central. Except Marylebone the largest surviving station on @greatcentralrailwy.bsky.social's London Extension. Rugby Central, Woodford Halse & Brackley Central were built to the same design except Woodford was accessed from a stairs between two rail overbridges & Brackley from the side

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AndyH @andyh616.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

#SulzerSunday A great view as we ate our fish & chips on the platform at Loughborough Central on Friday evening. 27056 waits time in platform 2 before working the 17.20 service to Leicester North during day 2 of the Great Central Railway autumn diesel gala. #GCR @brcwco.bsky.social 4/9/26

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Joshua 🏳‍🌈 @joshuagrid56098.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

37350 (D6700) approaches Quorn & Woodhouse with freight wagons and brake vans on 9C36 1610 Loughborough Central to Rothley Brook during the second day of the Great Central Railway Autumn Diesel Gala. (04/09/26)

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Joshua 🏳‍🌈 @joshuagrid56098.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

33116 'Hertfordshire Rail Tours' and 33103 'Swordfish' arrive into Quorn & Woodhouse working the 1745 Loughborough Central to Leicester North service during the second day of the Great Central Railway Autumn Diesel Gala. (04/09/26)

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Great Central Railway (1897) @greatcentralrailwy.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

An ex-GCR Class N 0-6-2T and Robinson Class D11

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Philip Taylor @philipjtaylor.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Lived in St John's Wood and fought a fruitless campaign to block @greatcentralrailwy.bsky.social en route to Marylebone.

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Great Central Railway (1897) @greatcentralrailwy.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

The Derbyshire lines were Sir Edward Watkin's springboard for the London Extension but all the station's were wooden up to and including Kirkby Bentinck: even Chesterfield Central, a painting of which faces me as I type. Probably to avoid the major share issue that was needed for the Extension.

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Old Sheffield @oldsheffield.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

On Google maps the old buildings on the other side of the tracks are still there in 2008.

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Great Central Railway (1897) @greatcentralrailwy.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Visited it with Great Central Railway Society in late August 1974. The southbound station building became unsafe and had to be demolished. The tracks were retained at that time to serve Arkwright Colliery on the LD & ECR via Duckmanton Junction.

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AndyH @andyh616.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

SyphonSaturday After photting mainline stuff at Barrow @bennybizzle1.bsky.social & myself were in need of refreshment so a quick hop to nearby Quorn & the excellent cafe at the #GreatCentralRailway. And while there the fine looking D6700 came by on the mineral wagons! #GCR 5/9/26

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AndyH @andyh616.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

After catching the 27 from Quorn to Leicester North yesterday morning, it was time for the main event of the day for me, front droplight behind D123/45125 for the run to Loughborough Central. Former Belgrave and Birstall station seen in the background as we prepared to depart Leicester. #GCR 4/9/26

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AndyH @andyh616.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

When everything's made to be broken I just want you to know who I am.. 'Iris' at the #GreatCentralRailway this morning. My first move of the day, Loughborough to Quorn & Woodhouse finally red penning 70 year old Derby Lightweight single car 79900. #GCR #OGBubbleCar 4/9/26

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AndyH @andyh616.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Back to the Great Central Railway this morning for their autumn diesel gala. My first move was #Iris to Quorn but this beauty made a fine sight waiting for her first working of the day. D6700 waiting at Loughborough Central for the 0930 departure to Leicester. #GCR 4/9/26

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LeicRailAle.bsky.social @leicrailale.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Another lovely day @greatcentralrailwy.bsky.social . All the normal highlights - locos, Rothley elevenses, brunch on board and the bar car. Also, no photo, the company.

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LeicRailAle.bsky.social @leicrailale.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

#SulzerSaturday 27056 arrives at Leicester North, @greatcentralrailwy.bsky.social Diesel Gala 4.9.26

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Paul Bigland @paulbigland.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Today's #BRNostalgia shows #Grimsby Town station in March 1990. Just before the resignalling scheme that replaced traditional semaphores and signalboxes. paulbigland.zenfolio.com/p651486993/e... #railways #photography #nostalgia

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The BR gallery. | 0512. 150124. Heading to Cleethorpes. Grimsby Town. 05.03.1990

Paul Bigland Photography

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Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

#OnThisDay 91 years ago Manchester United Football Ground station opened. This 1935 image shows the narrowness of the platform (which was partly its downfall: final departure 10/12/2017). It was the last to close of a handful of stations built exclusively to serve sports venues.

A passenger train hauled by a tank engine running bunker-first passes the newly-completed MUFC platform in 1935, with one of the stands rising behind.

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James Ball @jamesrball.com · 04/09/2026

Reform Conference was already running about 55 minutes late. Now Nigel Farage's speech is further delayed due to "unforeseen circumstances". Attendees are being treated to Freed From Desire instead.

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Alex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Richard Tice introduced Nigel Farage, but Nigel Farage came not. After a few minutes David Bull came out, visibly shaken to say proceedings had been delayed because of "unforeseen circumstances". It's now more than ten minutes later and nobody knows what is going on.

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Alex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Apparently it’s because this popped up behind Tice on a timer while he was speaking. So, now they are checking for other protests.

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Philip Taylor @philipjtaylor.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

An infamous day. @greatcentralrailwy.bsky.social

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Philip Taylor @philipjtaylor.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Visited his grave in the 1990s. A great friend of the Great Central Railway. He wrote a poem about a trip over it from Sheffield to Banbury. @greatcentralrailwy.bsky.social

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The Independent Brigg Line Rail Group @iblrg.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

On This Day In the 1980's we began to see the end of the traditional seaside excursion but there was the occasional surprise appearance. 45063 accelerates round the curve at Brigg Station on the 27th August 1981 bound for Cleethorpes. © Phillip Hewson

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