FIFTY YEARS AGO.

British Railways celebrate the withdrawal of mainline steam locomotives with the Fifteen Guineas Special.

(In those pre-metric days, a guinea was 21 shillings or one pound one shilling, that was not a cheap trip.)

Great Central Railway in Loughborough, Leicestershire, is holding an End of Steam gala featuring one of the engines that hauled the final service on August 11 1968.

The 70013 Oliver Cromwell was used during the charter return trip from Liverpool to Carlisle via Manchester 50 years ago.

It was known as the Fifteen Guinea Special because that was the cost of a ticket.

A ban on all mainline steam traffic was implemented the following day as more efficient and cheaper diesel and electric locomotives were introduced across the country.

Following the end of steam, many locomotives were scrapped but a number were preserved by private individuals and public bodies such as the National Railway Museum (NRM) in York.

A total of four steam locomotives will appear at Grand Central Railway this weekend, taking passengers on 16-mile trips through the Leicestershire countryside.

The Special operated over the Settle and Carlisle "Long Drag" and a steam excursion titled Cumbrian Mountain Express recalls that part of the farewell trip.  Booked kettles include Black Fives and a Britannia.