Last year, in the weeks following the end of lockdown, the Great Central Railway held a fabulous beer festival at its Quorn and Woodhouse Station. The event featured steam rally favourite Doctor Busker and a great (and drunken) night was had by all. The post for that evening can be found here. As it was such a good do last year, we welcomed the return of Doctor Busker for this years Easter Vintage Festival. Knowing that Batesy would be there with his engine and no doubt several other acquaintances, I decided to have a ride over for a pint and some Doctor Busker this evening. I arrived at around 18:00 and discovered Phil's immaculate Aveling & Porter F-type steam roller No11240 "Louise" (of 1925) simmering in the yard. I love the headstock registration...
It was another pleasant and humorous evening spent in good company with Doctor Busker playing in the background. Occasionally we were treated to the sight of some railway locomotives as there were four passes in either direction this evening. Here, Standard Class 5 No73156 rolls through Quorn on the up line with a 'Fish and Chip Special'. The diner was hauled by the Standard 2 No78018...
As the light began to fade, Phil gave "Louise" an oil around and lit her lamps in readiness for some time outside the beer tent. He loves all that kind of thing...
As the night drew in we chatted about all things steam, with 73156 and 78018 occasionally making an appearance on the railway, breaking up the bawdy music. "Louise" meanwhile ticked over quietly under clear skies...
I left the railway at around 23:00 tonight, just after Busker's performance. It had been another lovely evening and hats off to the Great Central once again for a sterling event. Thanks to Phil, Caroline and the rest of our friends for their much welcome hospitality and comical company this evening. Cheers all, Sam...
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