Great Central Railway

Golden Age of Mainline Rail Travel in the United kingdom

The UK’s only double track, main line heritage railway, the Great Central Railway exists today after a group of determined volunteers in 1969, saved the line following its closure by British Rail to recreate the experience of a main line steam railway for generations to come.

Today we proudly cherish and develop their legacy as a contemporary visitor attraction that’s open all year running steam and heritage diesel locomotives, as well as heritage railcars to educate and entertain our visitors whilst preserving the story of the railway.

Your Next Adventure

The Explorer Ticket offers the ultimate stress-free day out for families and railway enthusiasts, with everything perfectly planned for you with a thoughtfully designed itinerary and engaging activities for kids with immersive storytelling. From the moment you’re welcomed at our stations, the Explorer Ticket ensures you can focus on enjoying quality time with your loved ones while we take care of the details.

The GCR Explorer Ticket

Explorer Ticket

Step One

Pick your station and decide on a day and time to best suit your family and friends.

Step Two

Purchase a ticket and your tailored itinerary will be emailed directly for you to follow on the day.

Upcoming Events at the GCR

Upcoming Events

Autumn Steam Gala

Running across four packed days our annual Autumn Steam Gala features an intensive timetable of passenger, goods and double-headed trains.

Bahamas Farewell Weekend

Join us for a very special event on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th October as we say farewell to two much-loved locomotives 45596 “Bahamas” and 13268 Mogul.

Sulzer Running Day

Join us on Friday 17th October for our Sulzer Running Day featuring our home fleet alongside a guest Class 27 D5370, with an intensive timetable running into the evening.

Autumn Steam Gala

Running across four packed days our annual Autumn Steam Gala features an intensive timetable of passenger, goods and double-headed trains.

Bahamas Farewell Weekend

Join us for a very special event on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th October as we say farewell to two much-loved locomotives 45596 “Bahamas” and 13268 Mogul.

Autumn Steam Gala

Running across four packed days our annual Autumn Steam Gala features an intensive timetable of passenger, goods and double-headed trains.

First-Class Dining Service at the GCR

Frist-Class Dining

Welcome Aboard the Great Central Railway’s First-Class Dining Service. Join us for a journey through time, savour fine dining, and immerse yourself in vintage luxury aboard our lovingly restored, first-class dining carriages.

The perfect setting for a family celebration, a catch-up with friends, or a romantic dinner, our stewards are ready to pamper you. Whether it’s a leisurely Saturday or Sunday lunch or a grand night out, relax in style on a sixteen-mile return journey.

Departing Services

The Midlander

Relax with magnificent views, delicious food and amazing company as the sun sets over Charnwood’s beautiful landscape; it’s the perfect start to the weekend.

The Charnwood Forester

With a seasonal choice of starters, mains, and dessert, finished off with an English Cheeseboard and hand finished chocolates. Immerse yourself in the opulence of luxury train travel.

The Steam & Whistle

New for 2025 and combines the charm of a heritage railway with a gastro pub style menu, this immersive dining journey offers a unique way dine with friends and family.

The Midlander

Relax with magnificent views, delicious food and amazing company as the sun sets over Charnwood’s beautiful landscape; it’s the perfect start to the weekend.

The Elizabethan

You’ll enjoy a traditional British Sunday roast with all the trimmings in our beautifully restored vintage carriages, complete with a seasonal soup to start and an indulgent dessert choice.

The Elizabethan

You’ll enjoy a traditional British Sunday roast with all the trimmings in our beautifully restored vintage carriages, complete with a seasonal soup to start and an indulgent dessert choice.

After something Different? Try a GCR Experience

GCR Experiences

Bahamas Fine Dining

A special evening, steam train dining experience, hauled by our visiting guest locomotive LMS Jubilee Class No. 45596 Bahamas.

The Christmas Jubilee

Embark on a magical journey this holiday season on the Christmas Jubilee, where you can indulge in a four-course meal crafted with seasonal flavours that capture the essence of Christmas.

Bahamas Class No. 45596 Driver Experience

Great Central Railway is thrilled to offer a once in a lifetime opportunity to drive LMS Jubilee Class 45596 Bahamas, on the UK’s only double-track, main line heritage railway.

The Festive Afternoon Tea

Enjoy hand crafted finger sandwiches, each bite a burst of festive flavours, freshly baked cakes and scones served with jam clotted cream and a steaming pot of English tea.

Heritage Railcar Driver

The Heritage Railcar Driver Experience offers a unique opportunity to take control and drive a historic railcar for 16 miles, surrounded by the charm of a bygone era.

Murder Mystery Express

Our highly sought after Murder Mystery Trains put you at the heart of a thrilling case. Enjoy a three-course meal together with the excitement of solving a mysterious case.

GCR Home Fleet

No. 47406

Type

Fowler 3F Tank Engine

Designer

Henry Fowler

Configuration

0-6-0

Class 37 – 37714

Power Output

Rated 1,750 bhp

Engine

English Electric 12CSVT V12 diesel,

Max Speed

90 mph (80 mph on some bogie variants)

No. 73156

Type

BR Standard 5MT

Designer

R. A. Riddles

Configuration

4-6-0

Class 101 DMUs

Power Output

~300 bhp total from two engines

Engine

Two BUT (AEC or Leyland) 150 bhp each

Max Speed

~70 mph

Class 50 – 50017

Nickname (Loco)

Royal Oak

Engine Output

2,700 bhp

Max Speed

100 mph

Reunification Project

Reunification

Its easy to donate. Click below and make a one off donation online, or even set up a regular monthly contribution. If you prefer, download our latest appeal leaflet to donate using a cheque. Just a few pounds every month soon adds up to a generous gift. A regular income also gives other potential funders confidence in our plans.

You can also text UNIFY to 70970 to donate £5.
(For full terms see: platform.nationalfundingscheme.org/terms-and-conditions)

Thank you for your support. Every pound matters and makes a difference. Together we’re making Reunification happen.

The Great Central Railway

The GCR

Support the future of the Great Central Railway by donating today.

Your generous contribution helps safeguard this unique heritage line, not only through the landmark Reunification project—which will reconnect two separate heritage railways to create an eighteen-mile route from the north of Leicester to the south of Nottingham—but also in the vital day-to-day running of the railway.

Donations directly support the maintenance and restoration of our stations and locomotives, the preservation of historic infrastructure, and the training and development of our dedicated staff and volunteers. They ensure the railway continues to thrive as both a living museum and a community resource.

By giving, you’re helping us preserve one of Britain’s most cherished heritage railways, so that future generations can step aboard, experience authentic steam and diesel travel, and discover the stories of the past. Every contribution, large or small, makes a lasting difference in keeping the spirit of the Great Central Railway alive.

Great Central Railway

Golden Age of Mainline Rail Travel in the United kingdom​

Your Next Adventure

Upcoming GCR Event

Autumn Steam Gala

GCR Fine-Dining

The Elizabethan

GCR Experience

The Christmas Day Feast

The GCR Explorer Ticket

Explorer Ticket

Upcoming Events at the GCR

Upcoming Events

Autumn Steam Gala

Bahamas Farewell Weekend

Sulzer Running Day

Autumn Steam Gala

Bahamas Farewell Weekend

Autumn Steam Gala

First-Class Dining Service at the GCR

Frist-Class Dining

Departing Services

The Midlander

The Charnwood Forester

The Steam & Whistle

The Midlander

The Elizabethan

The Elizabethan

After something Different? Try a GCR Experience

GCR Experiences

Bahamas Fine Dining

The Christmas Jubilee

Bahamas Class No. 45596 Driver Experience

The Festive Afternoon Tea

Heritage Railcar Driver

Murder Mystery Express

GCR Home Fleet

No. 47406

Class 37 – 37714

No. 73156

Class 101 DMUs

Class 50 – 50017

Reunification Project

Reunification

The Great Central Railway

The GCR

GCR Reviews

Loughborough Central

Quorn & Woodhouse

Rothley Station

Leicester North

Golden Age of Mainline Rail Travel in the United kingdom