We have been the film location of choice for many major motion pictures and television productions, as you’ll see in our “filmography” section. We are situated in the heart of the country, close to the M1 motorway. Our double track network and large stations make us the perfect choice if you need to recreate a British main line scene between the 1920s and today.

Filmography

FILM

The Hours starring Nicole Kidman (2002)
Enigma directed by Michael Apted (2000)
The Navigators directed by Ken Loach (1999)
Shadowlands starring Sir Anthony Hopkins (1993)
The Secret Agent starring Gerard Depardieu (1993)
Buster starring Phil Collins (1987)

TELEVISION

E=MC2 Channel Four (2004)
The 4.50 from Paddington ITV (2004)
Hawking BBC (2003)
Casualty BBC (2001)
The Cazalet Chronicles BBC (2001)
Take A Girl Like You BBC (2000)
Goodnight Mr Tom ITV (1996)
Woof ITV (1995)
She’s Out (1994)

Production Notes

We really hope you’ll make the Great Central your location of choice. We’ve put some details together on this page which we hope will help you plan your shoot

HOW THE RAILWAY OPERATES
The Great Central Railway operates every weekend of the year, including Christmas and Bank Holidays.  At certain times of the year we stage major public events. In addition, we run trains every day from May to September. Depending on the size and scale of your production, the railway can be closed to the public to facilitate your work in a confidential environment that you control.   

We are a volunteer led but highly professional organisation, with a core of paid staff to provide administration and back up. We hope you understand that as such, and operating with reconditioned vintage equipment, we need to have a clear understanding of the sequences you propose well in advance. It is not always possible to accommodate requests for instant changes to your schedule, although we do understand the nature of your business and will do our best to be helpful at all times.

YOUR SAFETY - WORKING WITH TRAINS
Your safety is our number one concern, and we need to plan our operational procedures and staffing levels to ensure there are no problems. We are always keen to stress to anyone working with steam locomotives that they cannot be switched on or off at will. They require several hours preparation before use, and depending on your exact requirements may need to return to shed to refuel and take water during the day.

Production staff should also note that trains which travel at speed (no matter which engine they are being pulled by) do not stop in short distances. Staff working at track side will be under the supervision of one of the railway team to prevent accidents.

CONSULTATION AND SUPPORT
We are more than happy to provide technical and historical advice to productions if you are concerned about particular points of accuracy. If you require a particular style of locomotive or carriages not in our fleet, they can be hired from other railways subject to notice and availability.

We have volunteers and staff who have become very experienced at working with our media partners. Where possible they will be available for your shoot/production to help you get the most out of your time on the railway. We can also provide location managers with addresses for hotels, local services etc, and we can provide an effective liaison with the police, local authorities and any landowners your work may affect.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
How much you pay will obviously depend on a number of factors. Among the questions we need to ask you:  When do you want your work to take place? How many railway facilities (locomotives, rolling stock, buildings) do you need to use?  How long do you need to take and will we need to close the railway to the public while you work?

We are normally able to provide indicative figures quite quickly, but we expect to receive an exact specification of your requirements and schedule (including time needed to prepare and de-rig the site before and after filming) before we are able to quote a precise figure.

Where your work extends outside normal railway operating hours, or in the event of extra equipment or services being provided which are above the original agreement, then extra charges may be levied.

OTHER CONTRACTUAL MATTERS
Terms with regard to insurance liabilities, matters relating to health and safety and confidentiality of information are noted in our standard terms and conditions, and our schedule of particular conditions relating to filming work. Your attention is drawn to clauses involving the use of vintage equipment and our right to continue with other business activities where it does not infringe on your work. The movement of locomotives and trains will ALWAYS be supervised and under the control of qualified railway personnel only.

Contact and Location Details

Want to know more? Want a copy of our DVD showreel? Pick up the phone and call either of the railway’s two film work officers.

Nigel Harris : 07957 570010
Tom Ingall : 07860 511098

The main administration office number is 01509 230726

Our address is
Great Central Railway
Great Central Road
Loughborough
Leics
LE11 1RW

Travelling to Loughborough Central Station by road – from the south Head up the M1 to Junction 21a (just past Leicester Forest East services.) Follow the A46 for approximately eight miles until you reach the A6 interchange. Follow the A6 north, signed towards Loughborough. After approximately three miles go straight over a roundabout. At the next roundabout take the third exit and follow the road into Loughborough. Go straight on at the first set of traffic lights, then turn right at the next set. A right fork after 50 yards brings you to Great Central Road.

Travelling to Loughborough Central Station by road – from the north Take Junction 23 of the M1. Follow the A512 into Loughborough. Go straight over the first roundabout, and then straight on at the second. After a mile you’ll reach a t junction (with a Sainsburys on the left). Turn left here onto a one way street. Get into the right lane and at the bottom turn right. This is the A6. Go through the town centre, across two sets of lights. At the third set (opposite a park) turn left and then fork right onto Great Central Road.

We have a large car park, which could function as your location base at Quorn station. If required, we can provide directions.