27. DPS AGM on the GCR-23.03.24

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2024 > 27. DPS AGM on the GCR-23.03.24

Being a life member of the Deltic Preservation Society (DPS) I was keen to attend their AGM this year held at the Great Central Railway in a marquee erected in the car park of Quorn and Woodhouse station. The very cold day also featured a complimentary ride behind one of 'our' locomotives.

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Images 1-13 of 13 displayed.

37714, coming off-shed, Loughborough (GCR) station
Having brought some empty stock into Lougborough's GCR station, 37714 'Cardiff Canton' headed off to the shed and has now emerged and is running round to join the other end of the said stock. It would then tuck in behind 55009 'Alycydon' as far as Quorn and Woodhouse station where the Deeltic would detach leaving the 37 to lead the ECS into a siding to the south of the station. 37714 was one of the 'heavyweight' locomotives converted in October 1988. It then came under the custodianship of EWS and headed off to Spain before being repatriated in 2013. It is now owned by the Heavy Tractor Group and resides full-time on the GCR.
Keywords: 37714 coming off-shed, Loughborough GCR station Great Central Railway Cardiff Canton

55009, coming off-shed, Loughborough (GCR) station
With the sun now out from behind some threatening cloud behind me this image looks totally different to the previous one taken in exactly the same spot on the platform end of Loughborough's GCR station. 55009 'Alycidon' (still masquerading as 55013 'The Black Watch') is running round the station having just been started up in readiness to work the short distance south to Quorn and Woodhouse conveying DPS members to their AGM. The last time I saw and photographed Number 9 things were very different with it having disgraced itself on our returning railtour from Scarborough, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/30044658362/x55009-55013-coronation-deltic-17
Keywords: 55009 coming off-shed Loughborough GCR station Great Central Railway Alycidon DPS Deltic Preservations Society

37714 & 55009, 10.30 Loughborough GCR-Quorn & Woodhouse, Quorn & Woodhouse station
The 10.30 Loughborough (GCR) to Quorn and Woodhouse 'special' came to a halt north of the station for 55009 'Alycidon' to then detach and move forward into the station yard siding as seen here. This left 37714 'Cardiff Canton' to bring the train into the station for DPS members to disembark ready for the Society's AGM to be held in the marquee seen to the right. The transportation of members on a train hauled by one their own locomotives was an obvious draw and saw many more attend the AGM than would normally be the case; a big success I would say.
Keywords: 37714 55009 10.30 Loughborough GCR-Quorn & Woodhouse Quorn & Woodhouse station Cardiff Canton Alycidon

55009, on display, Quorn & Woodhouse Yard
After the Deltic Preservation Society's AGM 55009 'Alycidon' was available for all to see and photograph in some welcome sunshine outside the marquee in Qurn and Woodhouse's station yard. Despite the sunshine on the locomotive the sky behind is dramatic and paved the way for a series of very heavy rain showers that blighted the day somewhat. 55009 still wears the identity of 55013 'The Black Watch' that it took on last August for the re-run Coronation deltic charter that Andy and I went on, see....https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/C385599545/x2-coronation-deltic-19-08-23
Keywords: 55009 Quorn & Woodhouse Yard Alycidon 55013 The Balck Watch

E50266 & E50203, 12.50 Loughborough GCR-Leicester North, Quorn & Woodhouse
One of the Great Central Railway's resident Class 101 DMU sets arrives at Quorn and Woodhouse station. E50266 and E50203 (both powered and running on the day) are working the 12.50 Loughborough(GCR) to Leicester North service.
Keywords: E50266 E50203 12.50 Loughborough GCR-Leicester North Quorn & Woodhouse Great Central Railway Class 101 first generation DMU

E50266 & E50203, 12.50 Loughborough GCR-Leicester North & 55009, on display, Quorn & Woodhouse station
As one of the GCR's resident Class 101 DMUs leaves Quorn and Woodhouse station working the 12.50 Loughborough (GCR) to Leicester North service 55009 'Alycidon' sits on display in the station yard. Notice the avid enthusiast attempting a rubbing of the nameplate, something that many of us youngsters did on the platform ends back in the day! Hopefully reliving his youth the DPS member had come equipped with a tube attached to his rucksack containing a pre-measured and cut length of lining paper, a crayon of some description and some masking tape. Unfortunately, the blustery wind caused him some problems and a fellow enthusiast is just joining him to save the day by helping to attach the flailing lining paper! Of course, his rubbing will not be reading 'Alycidon' as 55009 is seen renumbered and named as 55013 'The Black Watch'.
Keywords: E50266 E50203 12.50 Loughborough GCR-Leicester North 55009 Alycidon 550103 The Black Watch Class 101 first generation DMU Quorn & Woodhouse station

78018, final leg of The Carolean dining train, 13.00 Loughborough return, Quorn & Woodhouse station
Dining trains have become an integral part of many heritage lines' operations being a good source of income that is if they are priced right and offer an appropriate level of service. The GCR is no exception with them offering three different dining train options throughout the season. The Carolean is one of their offerings making two return runs the length of the line from Loughborough to Leicester North. Making its final run, hopefully with passengers enjoying an after-dinner coffee, the 13.00 ex Loughborough (GCR) passes through Quorn and Woodhouse station led by Standard 2MT 78018 running tender first.
Keywords: Standard Class 2MT 2-6-0 78018 The Carolean dining train 13.00 Loughborough return, Quorn & Woodhouse station

78019, 13.Leicester North-Loughborough (GCR), Quorn & Woodhouse station
Sister to the previous locomotive photographed, BR standard class 2MT 2-6-0 78019 is seen at Quorn and Woodhouse station. It has just arrived working tender first on the 13.00 Leicester North to Loughborough (GCR) service. As can be seen from the work's plate affixed to the lower frame, 78019 was a Darlington-built locomotive that entered service in 1954 giving just twelve years of service ending up at Barry in 1966.
Keywords: 78019 13.Leicester North-Loughborough GCR Quorn & Woodhouse station BR standard class 2MT 2-6-0

55009, coming off-shed, Quorn & Woodhouse
With the DPS AGM over and the guest speaker having presented his excellent talk to the gathered members, it was time for the train to return back to Loughborough via a return run to Rothley. 55009 'Alycidon' has been fired up and has moved out of Quorn and Woodhouse Yard in preparation to join the back of the stock already standing in the station.
Keywords: 55009 Quorn & Woodhouse Alycidon 55013 The Black Watch DPS Deltic Preservation Society

M50321, 1705 & M79900, stabled, Loughborough GCR
The Great Central Railway has a huge amount of stock of various shapes and sizes that has something of interest to every railway enthusiast. On the approach to Loughborough GCR station the trio seen here are from the first-generation diesel era with Class 101 DMU power car M50321 to the left. Centre stage is Class 47 1705 'Sparrowhawk' that under TOPS was numbered 47117. To the right is celebrity Derby Lightweight DMU M79900 which has been named 'Test Car Iris' for many years.
Keywords: M50321 1705 M79900 stabled Loughborough GCR Test Car Iris

55009, 15.45 Quorn & Woodhouse-Loughborough North via Rothely, Loughborough GCR station
Having attended the Deltic Preservations Society AGM at Quorn and Woodhouse station members were invited to travel in a specially chartered train on the Great Central Railway back to Loughborough (GCR) hauled by 55009 'Alycidon'. Rather than going the short distance straight back to Loughborough, the train first headed south to Rothley hauled by 37714 'Cardiff Canton' followed by a run north again with 55009 at the helm. The 15.45 ex Quorn and Woodhouse is seen on arrival at Loughborough with DPS members alighting from the train. A cracking end to a great day, all credit to the DPS for laying on the event, let's hope that future AGMs attract so many members!
Keywords: 55009 15.45 Quorn & Woodhouse-Loughborough North via Rothely Loughborough GCR station Alycidon 55013 The Black Watch

DPS webpage
A screenshot of the DPS' webpage outlining the arrangements for the 2023/2024 AGM. As a life-member I have attended these events in the past and can say that this one was by far the best attended. The engagement of members of any organisation keeps that organisation moving forward and making things like the AGM more appealing by offering, in this case, a complimentary train ride is exactly what should be done. Well done to the board of the DPS; an excellent day!
Keywords: DPS webpage

'Ticket', Loughborough GCR-Quorn & Woodhouse (Via Rothley)-Loughborough GCR
My DPS membership card acted as my ticket for travel on the specially chartered train hauled by 55009 'Alycidon' from Loughborough to Quorn and Woodhouse for the society's AGM. Whilst this journey was very short, the return train made a southerly detour to Rothley with the Deltic hauling the train back to Loughborough. All-in-all an excellent day out; well done to the DPS board!
Keywords: Ticket Loughborough GCR-Quorn & Woodhouse via Rothley Loughborough GCR DPS Deltic Preservation Society

Images 1-13 of 13 displayed.