6988 'Swithland Hall' unveiled at the GCR 'Railway at Work' Gala 19/8/23

After a short time away visiting family in the USA, we are back! A breezy visit to the Great Central Railway and their popular 'Railways at Work' Gala this weekend, the highlight of which was the reintroduction of resident GWR Hall 6990 'Witherslack Hall' (posing as 6988 ‘Swithland Hall) post it’s recent overhaul.
The 'Railways at Work' event was first introduced two years ago by the GCR and aims to recreated the environment and atmosphere of the British Rail network in the 1950's & 60's. Demonstration goods trains, re-enactment teams, vintage vehicle rallies and live music helped set the tone for the visitors to step back in time.
The line had an intensive timetable in action with 5 steam locos, 3 diesel and a DMU all working a variety of goods and passenger trains across the day. My recordings were of the Saturday afternoon in some patchy and breezy sunshine. Hope you enjoy!
Facebook Page: / frontlinesteam

[@tango6nf477]

Locomotives are not only machines to haul trains, they are time machines. If you are old enough to remember them in service the sounds of the engine pulling away, the whistle and the clickety clack of pre welded rails takes you right back. Close your eyes and you are a kid again excited about going on holiday to the seaside by train. You remember the non corridor trains where you could have a compartment to yourselves, the sash windows held closed by a thick leather strap, the smuts getting in and annoying your parents, the lights coming on before entering a tunnel and the hand on the collar pulling you back when you tried to poke your head out of the window.
Its funny I can remember trips by train all those years ago but goodness knows what I did last week!

[@OfficialMidlandsRailwayChannel]

That’s me driving the express, great video!

[@AndreiTupolev]

Was there actually a Swithland Hall? Oh yes, there was. That was clever, wasn't it, even if the GWR* was stretching "GWR territory" a little
* or was it BR (WR) by then?

[@MySteamChannel]

Awesome stuff...thanks from Aussie

[@AndreiTupolev]

5:30Those boxes look suspiciously light! 📦

[@Shonaandhertrains]

49 seconds in and i'm saluting the loco lol

[@10astudios66]

Good video!Do you know if it’s staying as swithland hall or was it just for this one event?

[@frontlinesteam]

Not sure for how long to be honest!

[@conceyullena]

Like 101 beautiful landcascape, very nice video, greetings from Asturias 🚂👍🙋‍♂️

[@BrickishRail]

Great to see you back from the US, some great footage, this event is always a highlight of the year for me!

[@oliverb2262]

Ive found myself in the video , 1.45 boy in blue trousers and red top looking out the window lol

[@milesbrown8016]

What a very busy fun day, and good weather. Excellent footage 👌🏻

[@BenBensonStudios]

Did you get to see any steam in the USA while you were there?

[@frontlinesteam]

Only museum and static pieces this time.

[@BenBensonStudios]

Ah alright. Hopefully you'll get to see some operating steam there someday.

[@Mr_wally]

It is actually 6990 it’s been renumberd and renamed

[@frontlinesteam]

As mentioned in the description

[@milesbrown8016]

Excellent footage 🤙🏻