The masses decamped into the field here for what was my last shot of the day, taken at 15.22 with shadow spreading rapidly towards the embankment.

It featured the beautifully restored set of tank wagons that has been assembled on the railway.

We could really have done with a bit of exhaust, but the 9F looked splendid nonetheless.

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This came past shortly after my arrival here on the 12.00 Loughborough - Leicster.

The other visitor, along with the L&Y 0-6-0, I posted a picture of it double heading with resident 73156 earlier.

If anyone is thinking, well this is OK, but couldn't he find some other spots, my response would be that I couldn't agree more! Getting very tricky though now, what with housebuilding by the line, loss of official access to the railway, and less inclination with age to go for long walks!

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This weekend it is the GCR Winter Steam Gala, which kicked off on Friday.

Star working was this double header of the two BR Standard 4-6-0's, Class 4 75069 being a guest, Class 5 73156 being resident at the railway. It was the 12.45 Loughborough - Leicester.

With this being the best day forecast weatherwise, there was a large gallery here at Kinchley Lane, now sadly one of the few photo spots available on the line.

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A bit more from Friday at the GC Winter Steam Gala.

The railway now has a rake of oil tank wagons that have been beautifully restored, and these ran behind resident 8F 48305. It is a realistic formation for such a train, with barrier wagons and brake vans at each end of the consist.

Until the middle of the 20th century, the East Midlands had a small oil industry, centred around Eakring in Nottinghamshire, and it's nice to think of this as a recreation of those times. I very much doubt however if the trains were so gleamy!

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This L&Y 0-6-0 built at Horwich in the late 19th century was the other visiting loco to the Gala.

Seen here just after 14.30 on the 13.15 Loughborough - Rothley, which had recessed at Quorn to allow the double headed BR Standards to pass.

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