Thousands of enthusiasts packed trains at the Great Central Railway (GCR) in Loughborough, Leicestershire, as vintage diesel locomotives starred at its April gala event last weekend. Steam was sidelined for the weekend as different diesel locomotives dating from the 1950s and 60s impressed visitors.

Some locos from that era did not last long. Among those which did not make the grade was the Class 17, which was star guest at the GCR gala. Built in the 1960s, they had a distinctive central driving cab and low bonnets covering the engines. The plan was for the driver to be able to see in both directions clearly. However, they were not a success and all but one was scrapped. As guest of honour, on its first ever visit to the GCR, the one surviving loco attracted a lot of interest.

Great Central Railway General Manager Malcolm Holmes said, “Diesel locos have their own generation of fans, These machines represent a time when lots of different ideas for modernising Britain’s Railways were being tried out. Some when on to have long careers, others were retired quickly!

“As diesels get older, they are just as important a part of our heritage railway story,” continued Malcolm. “When enthusiasts come to the line for our events, they boost the whole local visitor economy and we’re delighted to play our part bringing people from all the country to Leicestershire.”

Over the weekend of 17 and 18  June 2023, the Great Central will celebrate fifty years of running heritage trains, hauled by steam and diesel traction, with another special once-in-a-lifetime gala event, featuring a fifty-wagon freight train. Full details will be published  on the GCR website shortly.