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

GCR Christmas Experiences

Give the gift of a GCR Christmas Experience

This festive season, the Great Central Railway invites you to celebrate in style with a programme of dining experiences aboard our First-Class heritage trains. From festive afternoon teas to traditional Christmas lunches and dinners with a modern twist, each journey combines freshly prepared seasonal menus with the unique atmosphere of steam travel through the glorious Charnwood countryside.

For younger visitors and the young at heart, our GCR Santa Express trains offer a delightful festive adventure. Meet Santa himself, enjoy seasonal treats, and experience the excitement of a winter wonderland onboard, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Festive Experiences

Featured Festive Experiences

The Great Central Santa Express

The Christmas Day Feast

New Year's Eve Celebration

The Boxing Day Special

The Festive Afternoon Tea

The Christmas Midlander

The Christmas Murder Mystery

The Christmas Forester

Upcoming Events at the GCR

Upcoming Events

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.

Open Weekend

Explore behind the scenes and enjoy a great day out! LE postcode residents get tickets for £15 with code LOCAL15. Includes unlimited train travel — plus Kids for a Quid!

Bonfire & Fireworks Night

Join us for an unforgettable Bonfire Night at Great Central Railway! Our Bonfire Night & Fireworks at Quorn & Woodhouse Station is one of Leicestershire’s most exciting and magical events of the year.

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.

Open Weekend

Explore behind the scenes and enjoy a great day out! LE postcode residents get tickets for £15 with code LOCAL15. Includes unlimited train travel — plus Kids for a Quid!

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 Rothley Rose

Departing from the Edwardian-styled Rothley Station, restored to reflect how it may have been in 1912.

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 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 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.

After something Different? Try a GCR Experience

GCR Experiences

Fish & Chips Express Train

What could be better than a vintage steam train with traditional Fish and Chips? Join us on selected evenings throughout the year as we depart from Loughborough Central Station.

Goods Experiences

Step into the fascinating world of railway freight with our exclusive Goods Experience, featuring a unique ride in a Brake Van as the highlight of the day!

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.

Steam Driver Experience

Imagine the thrill of taking control of a steam locomotive. On the Great Central Railway you can! Our line has double track, signals and stations, it’s the stuff of childhood dreams.

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.

GCR Home Fleet

Class 37 – D6700

Power Output

Rated 1,750 bhp

Engine

English Electric 12CSVT V12 diesel

Max Speed

90 mph (80 mph on some bogie variants)

No. 48624

Type

Stanier 8F

Designer

Sir William Stanier

Configuration

2-8-0

No. 73156

Type

BR Standard 5MT

Designer

R. A. Riddles

Configuration

4-6-0

No. 68067

Type

Saddle tank

Designer

Hudswell Clarke

Configuration

0-6-0

Class 55 – 55019

Max Speed

100 mph (25mph on heritage railways)

Power Output

3,300 bhp (≈2,460 kW at engine; ~2,650 hp at rail)

Year of Manufacture

1962

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.

GCR Reviews

Loughborough Central

Quorn & Woodhouse

Rothley Station

Leicester North