Great Central Winter Gala: Banbury Cross 280111

[cakebrain]

great footage,be a better spectacle if they could muster up 8 coach trains for the galas

[steamontheweb]

@cakebrain

Thanks, but I think asking for 8 coach trains with an intensive timetable in operation (that no other railway can match), and the consequent pressure on the coaching stock, sounds a tad like taking their efforts for granted!

[acw71000]

Wonderful record Mike of an excellent event. I do seem to have been fairly close to you at times on the Saturday. You enjoyed some lovely sunshine on the Friday I see. Really enjoyed the closing scenes at the shed, presumably filmed on Friday, despite the shocking language! Thought your comments were very amusing

[steamontheweb]

@acw71000

Thanks Austin. We had sunshine on Friday afternoon with two trains! Also a little first thing. Unfortunately I made similar comments on the GCR chat site and a humourless volunteer thought I was being serious and reprimanded me - the sheds are not a Sunday school but an engineering operation (presumably involving REAL men) and I should keep away if I couldn't stand the language! It is not the first time I have reeled someone in like that!

[wooltman]

Great video,loved every minute,shame about all the orange jackets walking about lineside.

[steamontheweb]

@wooltman

Thanks. Unfortunately I was wearing one too and, in all likelihood, interfering with other people's shots. The problem with the GC is its straightness - there are few hiding places. You have to be grateful that preserved lines are so popular!

[aifrench14]

another great video Mike, I see I make a fleeting appearance in the shed scenes this year! Note how the ash was disposed very unprofessionally by this years candidate!!

[steamontheweb]

@aifrench14

Yes Anthony, he made a poor show by comparison with the chap last year! I had a good shot of you cleaning the wheels alone, but it didn't fit with the footage of the other chap and his oily brush, which was a must as you could see the oil oozing...lovely stuff!

[robmasterman]

Another superb production Mike, and how wonderful to see 3850 with the correctly shaped chimney....Faultless throughout...Bob

[steamontheweb]

@robmasterman

Thanks Bob (but far from faultless) and a good spot there: I agree, the taller chimney looks very good.

[smerlinare]

What a fantastic video!

What do you think of the events that have occured on the GWSR? Do you think you'll be visiting them when/if they open again in March?

[steamontheweb]

@smerlinare

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. Yes, it is heartbreaking to hear of the GWSR's problems. I hear that the Chicken Curve problem will also involve a complete rebuild of the embankment. More botching by the 'professionals' who used to run the railway in the years before closure I'm afraid. Apparently they are planning to run it in two halves if the Gotherington slip is fixed. I will certainly be visiting at some stage in the spring if they are running.

[smerlinare]

@steamontheweb

Thats good- I always enjoy your videos of the GWSR. I hope they will run top and tailed trains from Laverton to the part of the track just before the damage at Chicken curve- like they did on the final day of this season for the new year santa specials. That way we can still film and admire the trains passing the Hailes and Didbrook area. It is a wonderful part of the route.

[KWVRMAD]

Absoloutly Brilliant Video! Can't Even list a best shot!

[steamontheweb]

@KWVRMAD

Thanks. My original reply does not seem to have worked.

[iantrack]

Top drawer footage. Great to see a 38xx in black on a goods.

[steamontheweb]

@iantrack

Thanks. Yes, a black goods engine always looks more appropriate.

[ShaurntheSheep]

gosh you've edited yours quick, was a great day lots of movement

[steamontheweb]

@ShaurntheSheep

Yes, it was up to the usual excellent GC standard.

[AndreiTupolev]

Inappropriate material? O__o i thought you meant all those Great Western engines. Looked like it was virtually an extension of GW175.

Some enthusiastic driving there.

* Spotted it!

** Oh, Cromwell's back at Loughborough now, is it?

[steamontheweb]

@AndreiTupolev

Now, now I'm a bit of a western fan myself! Glad you spotted the joke, a chap on the GC chat site thought I was seriously offended!

Cromwell has been back for some time. They have been putting it back together after fixing the firebox crack.

[JamesandPeter]

Stunning footage from begining to end.

Regards JamesandPeter

[steamontheweb]

@JamesandPeter

Thanks

[SteamTeen]

Great footage once again :D

[steamontheweb]

@SteamTeen

Thanks. Good to see you both once again. Hope you enjoyed it and didn't freeze to death!

[SteamTeen]

@steamontheweb Always nice to see you too :) We did thank you, shame about the weather thought...but I think the Pitchford Hall departure lifted our spirits :)