7th vintage loco confirmed for GCR's spectacular Golden Oldies Gala

Great Central Railway's line up is completed by the first ever visit of a ‘Terrier' from 27-30 May 2011

662 Martello, built in 1875 has been confirmed today as the 7th locomotive to star at the Golden Oldies Gala. She is the first 'Terrier' to visit the GCR and will be seen for the first time in the preservation era in BR black livery! The loco, which is arriving at the Great Central on Thursday 5th May is expected to be the star of the 4 day spring bank holiday event.

Kate Tilley, Marketing Manager for the Great Central Railway said "We are delighted to have the Terrier confirmed as yet another visitor to this very special event. We are now showcasing a total of seven elderly machines with visitors being treated to a true vintage commuting experience. If the replicas are counted as being the same age as their counterparts, the combined ages of the engines in action is close to 1000 years!"

The line up of engines taking part features an incredible century of evolving designs from the 1820s and 1920s and includes:

Bellerophon on its first time visit to the GCR. Built in 1874, the locomotive is one of the oldest steam engines to be seen in action anywhere in the world.

Furness no. 20 was built in 1863. It's the second time it has visited the Great Central Railway. It's one of the oldest working steam locomotives in the world and features an open cab.

The 'Planet' replica (from the Manchester museum of science and industry), the original planet was an 1830 locomotive built by Robert Stephenson for service on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. Come and experience a ride in its open to the air carriages which are visiting with the engine.

The famous replica of Rocket, (owned by the National Railway Museum) the 1829 built winner of the Rainhill trials, again designed for the Liverpool and Manchester Railway.

GCR O4, no 63601, and now just a mere 99 years old, is also expected to
star- this will probably be the only outing it makes this year!

Ex GNR Gresley CLASS N2 0-6-2T tank engine 1744, built at the North British Locomotive works in 1921.

"It's a double dose of history for twenty first century travellers," said Bill Ford, GCR's General Manager. "We are offering our passengers to take part in the extraordinary re-enactment, both Planet and Rocket passing on the double track - just like the early days of the railways."