The Great Central Railway (GCR) in Leicestershire has announced the two visiting locomotives that will join its Winter Steam Gala next month.

The event takes place from Saturday 26 to Sunday 28 January, and will include an intensive timetable for both passenger and goods trains.

The two visiting locos are:

‘Omaha’ Ex United States Army Transport Corps 2-8-0 S 160 class No.2253

The US Army Transport Corps developed this class of locomotive class during the Second World War for hauling heavy freight trains, and deployed over 2,100 around the world. It designed them for a ninety-day lifespan.

No. 2253 is one of twenty-five that survives. It was built in 1943, operated in Europe, was sold to the Polish State Railway after the war, and underwent a major overhaul in 2013. It is named ‘Omaha’ in honour of the owner’s father’s involvement in D-Day, and is currently on a ten-year lease to Dartmouth Steam Railway.

L&Y A Class No. 52322

This locomotive was manufactured in 1895 at the L&Y works in Horwich (Bolton), and retired from active duty in 1960. I then moved to Lancashire civils company Leonard Fairclough, then to Steamtown (Carnforth), the East Lancashire Railway, the Ribble Steam Railway (Preston), and finally coming under the ownership of Andy Booth in 2003.

The Railway’s home fleet will be in action:

• BR(W) Modified Hall 6990 ‘Witherslack Hall (below)
• BR Standard 9F 92214
• BR Standard 5 73156
• Ex. LMS 8F 48305
• BR Standard Class 2 78018
• BR Standard Class 2 78019

Also appearing will be:

• 1903 North Eastern Railway Electric Autocar 3170
• Derby Lightweight ‘Iris’

Tickets cost between £3 and £182, and are available to buy here.