From Saturday 3rd - Sunday 4th February 2024, the Battlefield Line held their first gala event since 2019. This was their Winter Warmer Steam Gala which saw 3 locomotives in action hauling passenger and shuttle services.
The event saw 2 GWR Large Prairies visiting, 4144 from Didcot Railway Centre and 5199 courtesy of The 5199 Project. The highlight was a double header with both Prairies and both in GWR Green. 5199 is soon to be bowing out of service for overhaul. Also attending the event was BR Standard Class 2MT 78018 from Great Central Railway, the first time in 43 years the engine has visited, and certainly proved to be a crowd puller. Originally new build GWR 6800 Grange Class 6880 Betton Grange was to have visited, but it wasn't ready in time so 78018 took its place.
Locomotives featured:
- GWR 5101 Large Prairie no. 5199 (Courtesy of The 5199 Project)
- GWR 4100 Large Prairie no. 4144 (Courtesy of Didcot Railway Centre)
- BR Standard Class 2MT no. 78018 (Courtesy of Great Central Railway)
Class 08 08701 also features
Overall, this was a great event. Spent a good day at Market Bosworth station. Weather wasn't too bad either. Well done to everyone involved in hosting this show. I look forward to the next one.
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