Kids make light work of turning 120 tonne steam loco

High fliers at St. Bartholomew's Primary school in Quorn are swapping timetables for turntables this Friday as they demonstrate just how easy it is to turn a full size loco on GCR's new turntable attraction

The Great Central Railway is welcoming 6 diligent school children to open their major new attraction at Quorn & Woodhouse station. The 60ft turntable, costing some £130k will be unveiled on Friday when the children will turn a 100 year old locomotive weighing 120 tonnes through 180?!

The turntable, an engineering feat in its own right, has been installed at the station to turn rolling stock and locomotives. The 35 tonne structure, originating from British Rail's York depot, has taken
16 weeks to install and has included the removal of 1,800 tonnes of soil, the installation of 10 tonnes of reinforcing steel and 180 cubic metres of concrete has been poured!

"The children really will be turning heads on Friday" said Kate Tilley, Great Central Railway's Marketing Manager. "Having something so big turned by little children will be really quite a spectacle. The kids are really excited at the prospect of moving 20 tonnes each!" She added.

"Our offer to visitors has to continually evolve and improve" said Tony Sparks, GCR Director. "We are already one of Britain's leading heritage railways, but now, with the addition of the turntable as well as the new cafe at Quorn, our visitor offering has improved even more! What better way to demonstrate this wonderful feat of engineering than having children push a full size loco so effortlessly!"

This huge £130,000 undertaking will demonstrate the turning of steam giants of the rails, a sight rarely seen these days. The installation has been timed to be showcased at the railway's biggest annual gala which takes place from 6th - 9th October.