The sound of powerful Napier engines will fill the air at the Great Central Railway this Summer. The railway is welcoming D9009, a green liveried Deltic which has never visited the railway before.

When is it running?

The Deltic will be a star attraction at the Mail By Rail gala on the 24th and 25th of July 2010. It will operate passenger trains and take a turn on the non stop mail drop.

It will also operate one return trip along the line between Loughborough Central and Leicester North on the following days.

31st July and 1st August,
7th and 8th August,
21st and 22nd August,
4th and 5th of September.

The Deltic will also take part in the three day diesel gala on the 11th, 12th and 13th of September 2010 alongside other locomotives from the fleet.

Can I drive the Deltic?

While it’s visiting the railway and in conjunction with the Deltic Preservation Society, the railway is offering a strictly limited number of Drive a Locomotive Experience packages. The DELTIC BRONZE package will be available on four weekends:

31st July and 1st August,
7th and 8th August,
21st and 22nd August,
4th and 5th of September.

You’ll share the sixteen mile return trip with another driver and spend most of the day at the railway including lunch. The day costs £310 per person. Some of these days are now already booked up. Please call the railway on 01509 230726 (press 0 to speak to someone in the booking office) to check availability.

If you’d like more miles with your hand at the controls, then the locomotive will also be available for longer diesel driver experience packages of 32 and 64 miles (£650 and £995 respectively). These days are available by prior booking. It may not always be possible to arrange at short notice, so please call the booking office on 01509 230726 (press 0 to speak to a booking clerk) to enquire about dates. 

Dining With the Deltic

The railway will also operate a Deltic Pullman train on the 30th of September. Tickets will cost £60 per head and include a four course meal and travel on a special train incorporating the new Pullman bar car. Advanced booking is essential. Call 01509 230726 to make a reservation.

Information about the menu for the Deltic Pullman train can be found on the GCR website in the dining section, or is available by calling the booking office.