The Great Central Railway (GCR) is set to bring its 2026 steam season to a spectacular close with the Last Hurrah Gala on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November, featuring an impressive line-up of guest locomotives, home-fleet favourites and special services across the railway.
Taking place ahead of the return of the popular Great Central Santa Express, the end-of-season event will offer visitors one final opportunity to enjoy a steam gala on Britain’s only double-track heritage main line this year.
Four guest locomotives will join the railway’s home fleet for the occasion, including BR 9F No. 92134, the only single chimney 9F to feature on the UK’s only double-track heritage main line.
Visitors will have the opportunity to see Sentinel No. 7232, ‘Ann’, built in Shrewsbury in 1927. Representing the innovative engineering of Sentinel, a company renowned for its steam-powered road vehicles, the locomotive will appear thanks to Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, Callum Porter and Chris Boocock.
Joining GCR for the 2026 season is Class 14 D9525, known affectionately as the ‘Teddy Bear’. The locomotive offers visitors the chance to experience Western Region hydraulic haulage, with its appearance made possible thanks to D9525 Ltd.
Also featuring will be Class 20 No. 20227, ‘Sherlock Holmes’, which completes the line-up thanks to the Class 20 Locomotive Society and the Epping and Ongar Railway.
The visiting locomotives will operate alongside a strong selection from the GCR’s own fleet, including No. 73156, No. 48305, No. 79900 ‘Iris’, No. 6990, No. 68067 and Class 101 diesel multiple units (DMUs).
Malcolm Holmes, General Manager at Great Central Railway, said: “The Last Hurrah Gala is a fantastic way to round off the season, bringing together an exciting line-up of visiting locomotives and favourites from our home fleet. With special services, double-headed trains and the return of passenger services to the Mountsorrel Branch Line, there will be plenty for enthusiasts and families alike to enjoy before we turn our attention to the Great Central Santa Express.”
Across the weekend, visitors can look forward to an action-packed timetable featuring double-headed services, freight train demonstrations using the railway’s oil tank wagons, and the return of steam-hauled passenger services to the Mountsorrel Branch Line. Locomotives No. 68067, Class 20 No. 20227 and ‘Iris’ will provide opportunities to explore a different part of the railway.
Early risers will have an additional reason to make the journey, with services departing from Leicester to connect with the first Nunckley Hill shuttle, and Saturday’s programme will include evening services, giving visitors the chance to experience the atmosphere of trains at sunset and see the railway from a different perspective.
With an impressive mix of visiting and home-fleet locomotives, special workings and opportunities to experience more of the line, the Last Hurrah Gala promises a fitting finale to the Great Central Railway’s 2026 season before the railway turns its attention to the festive season.
Image credit: Great Central Railway / Fu Media / SAAF GG
