Click to the return to the homepage of our website
Welcome | Log In | Register
 
 
Celebrating 40 years of preservation
 

News and information about the railway is shown below. To read a news article in full, please click on the Read More link for that article.

 
As seen on TV for 15 weeks!
Great Central behind the scenes documentary ready to air.
'Steam Railway' gala details
Three visitors and up to eight engines in steam
Timetable alterations for bank holiday weekend
Sat 28th, Sun 29th and Monday 30th August 2010
DIESEL GALA DETAILS
Three day event will star Deltic D9009 and Class 26 007
Alterations to passenger services
Wednesday 15th Sept
CHINOOK HELICOPTER AND CREW HEADING FOR TOUCHDOWN AT QUORN
Unusual 'motive power' will star at Veterans weekend
Work resumes on canopy
Phase 1a almost complete
Details announced for mixed traffic event
Five locomotives in action
Deltic used for 75mph testing contract
Season star starts GCR visit in style
GCR nominated for two tourism awards
A nod for the railway and for the catering team
Pitchford Hall in return visit
GWR action for the summer
BOOK NOW TO DRIVE THE DELTIC
Four weekends for driver courses in July / August / September
HERE COMES THE ROOF AGAIN
Phase 1a metal work going back together
RESTORED METALWORK FOR CANOPY ARRIVES
Dates set for reassembly work
WALKING FOR THE CANOPY
Sponsored walk will support canopy appeal and wagon restoration
DINE SPANISH STYLE
Join the Lemon Express on the 4th of June.
ENGINES READY!
All Golden Oldies present and correct
LATEST CANOPY APPEAL ROLL OF HONOUR
Dates set for reassembly work
MOUNTSORREL BRANCH LINE TRACK LAYING BEGINS
Massive effort in working week
Your invitation for fine wine and fine dining
Brand new wine tasting train in July
SOME OF OUR ROOF IS MISSING!
Loughborough Central goes part topless... canopy works update
Deltic D9009 to visit for Summer season
Bookings already being taken for driver experience sessions.
EXCUSE THE MESS! CANOPY WORK UNDERWAY (Page updated)
Shot blaster completes work, cranes on site next week!
Cemetery Junction released
Great Central features as title location.
Class 26 joins GCR for the Summer
Locomotive should arrive in time for diesel gala on 17th and 18th April
ONLINE ROLL OF HONOUR PUBLISHED
Canopy appeal donors help to raise the roof
FIRST PULLMAN CARRIAGE READY FOR DEBUT
Diners on Friday night train will experience the new bar car
CANOPY APPEAL WELL UNDERWAY
Thousands of pounds already donated
RIDE AND DINE WITH TORNADO THIS WEEKEND
Get up close to the famous engine
80072 VISITING THE GCR
EXPECTED IN TRAFFIC THIS COMING WEEKEND (13th / 14th March)
TORNADO TOUCHDOWN LESS THAN THREE WEEKS AWAY
Celebrity steam engine due on the 17th of March
OPERATION TURNING THE TIDE
Book now to be part of wartime weekend 11th, 12th 13th June 2010
Pullman train project moves forward
Pictures from inside the bar car
TORNADO STRIKES IN FOUR WEEKS TIME
More chances to drive and dine behind world famous engine
FORTHCOMING DINING TRAINS AT THE GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY
Extra Valentine train added due to demand.
WINTER GALA SUCCESS
Midland line up fires up visitors
GREAT CENTRAL TO INTRODUCE NEW PULLMAN STYLE DINING TRAIN
Six carriage set for corporate entertainment market
Gala Countdown
Stanier Mogul due to arrive
A BUNCH OF FIVES!
Black 5s number 45231 and 44767 ready to pass on the double track this weekend
Burns night on the line
On Friday 22nd January the GCR goes north of the border
Trains running this weekend despite the weather
"North facing" locomotives rostered 16th and 17th Jan
Fares review for 2010
Short station hops now better value and FOGCML fares frozen!
Additional attractions for Winter Gala
3 day LMS festival on Jan 29th, 30th and 31st.
TORNADO SET FOR RETURN VISIT TO GCR
Celebrity locomotive will visit in three weeks in March 2010
What's on over Christmas
Holiday period train services.
LAST CHANCE FOR SANTA TODAY (23rd DECEMBER)
CHRISTMAS EVE TRAINS ALL SOLD OUT
WINTER GALA - JAN 2010 - LINE UP ANNOUNCED
8 engines expected for LMS tribute
SANTA SPECIAL OFFER Saturday 12th December
Offer on 3.50pm train
SPECIAL SANTA OFFER THIS WEEKEND
5th and 6th December 2009
GO LEICESTERSHIRE - NOT LAPLAND FOR CHRISTMAS
Railway joins festive family fun shortbreak promotion
MINI DIESEL GALA DETAILS ONLINE
Four locomotives in action for Jan 9th and 10th 2010 event
EXTRA SANTA SEATS
Specials start this weekend
DRIVE CROMWELL
Great Central offers Christmas gift of a lifetime
Great Central goes tweet
Follow us on twitter site
Book now to beat the driver experience price rise
Prices to increase on 15th November
BONFIRE NIGHT 2009
Railway plans it biggest ever fireworks display
Halloween on the line
Dress up for magically shrink your ticket price
Mountsorrel branch line project featured on BBC Radio 5 live
Listen again now
Four thousand visitors at fantastic Steam Railway Gala
One off loco line up works magic
HEAVY METAL GIANTS SET TO ROCK LEICESTERSHIRE THIS WEEKEND
Big engines at the Great Central Railway for major gala event
Not one, not two but three 2-8-0s
Three locomotives in steam together for the first time
DRINK EAST MIDLANDS
35 local beers on sale at 2009 beer festival this coming weekend
40th anniversary on wheels
Call for former volunteers and staff to join the party
Great Central announces 'An Audience With David Shepherd'
Tickets on sale now for exclusive October event
Special Notice for passengers travelling on Saturday 5th September.
Saturday 5th September
OLIVER CROMWELL GETS A 'TWIN'
Iconic German engine to twin with 70013
Loughborough's new lift and toilets complete
£65,000 investment at main station
Class 03 Shunter arrives
Locomotive could feature at forthcoming disel gala
GCR GOODS OFFICE OPEN DAY
See behind the scenes on August 15th (2pm to 5pm)
NATIONAL SERVICE AND VETERANS WEEKEND
Free travel for all veterans, reduced travel for friends and family.
LEICESTER NORTH CANOPY COMPLETE
Opening ceremony set for August 6th
STAY AND DINE
Great Central teams up with local hotel to promote new ' dinner and bed' packages
MAIL BY RAIL GALA THIS WEEKEND - DISCOUNT FARES FOR ROYAL MAIL STAFF
Great engine line up includes Fairburn tank.
STAY AND DINE
Great Central teams up with local hotel to promote new 'dinner and bed' packages
GCR NOW TESTING AT UP TO 75mph
Wagons under test
MAJOR SPECIAL EVENT AT GREAT CENTRAL NOTTINGHAM THIS WEEKEND
Opening of 'platform one' with O4 hauling first trains
GREAT CENTRAL ON YOU TUBE
Railway launches 'channel' for news and features
A BIG WEEKEND
4 BIG to be relaunched at a special ceremony
N2 IN GREEN
Popular tank engine back in action
REMEMBER REMEMBER
Railway closed this week and AGMs this weekend
Five figure grant will finish Leicester North canopy
Work starting very shortly to glaze structure.
WARTIME WEEKEND 2009
Poppy drop will be a spectacular highlight
GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY REPORTS 3rd ANNUAL PROFIT
BUMPER PASSENGER NUMBERS PUT RAILWAY £41,000 INTO THE BLACK
All hands to the pump
Trolley race sees the GCR on the small screen
NEW LAMP HUT - OLD LAMP HUT!
Work week see's 'new' addtions to the line.
BRAND NEW GREAT CENTRAL BOOK
New first day stamp covers as well!
GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY CELEBRATES 40th ANNIVERSARY WITH GALA SHOW
Added attractions including bus tours to Mountsorrel branch!
THOMAS HERE ON BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY 4th MAY
Blue engine here for three days of May bank holiday fun
GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STUDY GETS UNDERWAY
ANDY REED MP ADDS HIS SUPPORT AS CONSULTANTS STUDY EXTENDING THE RAILWAY
Going Up - A lift for the Great Central Railway
Grant aid from The Veolia Environmental Trust
GOODS OFFICE BACK WITH THE GCR
Now the hard work of restoration begins!
Your last chance to help save the Goods Office!
Appeal update: (New names added) 26th March 2009
1000 Readers for the weekly e-newsletter
'Lovatt House' appeal brings new readers.
Swing back to the 60s at the Great Central Railway
March makeover for popular ‘throwback event
GOODS OFFICE APPEAL UPDATE: 19th MARCH
Scores on the doors by the 19th of March
ONE MONTH TO BUY THE LOUGHBOROUGH GOODS OFFICE
New appeal launched - read more here or go straight to the appeal page on the main page
Major grant aid towards 'gap' project
Consultants for feasibility study to be appointed shortly
DUTCH VISITORS GO FLIPPIN’ MAD FOR PANCAKES THIS WEEKEND
Railway’s pancake festival returns with guests from twin railway ready to cook!
PASSENGERS UP, SALES UP: 2008 ON THE GCR
Year of the Express Engines draws crowds. “Oliver Cromwell” and “Tornado” are particularly strong attractions.
Bag some real railway history
Blind auction with A1 Trust
Wonderful Winter Gala
Increase in revenue and passenger numbers compared to 2008
Great Central Railway WINTER GALA
Thousands expected, Former footplate men to be guests
Leicester North Newsletter
Latest Edition now on line
BURNS NIGHT ON THE LINE
Haggis, ‘Neeps’ and ‘Tattys’ just for starters as Scottish Chef and bagpiper combine to make a memorable party
Latest products in the Shop
Calendars, DVD and a special offer!
Irish steam heat warms up 2009
Mobile van in service for diesel event this weekend
FRIENDS OF THE GREAT CENTRAL MAIN LINE
Now with three and a half thousand members!
Winter Gala on the way
More details about end of January event
GCR recovers signalling equipment
Generous support from industry partners
GCR events for 2009
Special events calendar now published.
GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION WINS NATIONAL AWARD
More than 30 years of hard work for volunteers recognised
SANTA BEATS THE CREDIT CRUNCH
Festive trains attract more income at key time of year
ROTHLEY STATION CELEBRATES AN EDWARDIAN CHRISTMAS
Station shortlisted for national award
WORK ON THE LINE!
Contractors move onto site for the Leicester North Canopy.
Diesel news at the GCR
New arrival and an extra event
The Railway Remembers
Two events mark remembrance weekend
BONFIRE NIGHT – ON THE FIFTH!
Railway sticks to traditional date for one of Leicestershire’s biggest displays
The Great Central Railway helps the Railway Children Charity
Recent gala brings in over one thousand pounds to help vulnerable children on Indian railway platforms.
A Spooky night out for the young and young at heart
Trains that go shunt in the night at the Great Central Railway
Three steam legends together
GCR stages short notice event!
Wizard Weekend for the family
Dress up to shrink your ticket price
RECORDS TUMBLE - EXTRAORDINARY SCENES AT STEAM RAILWAY GALA
Great Central records best weekend in 39 year history as four star engines draw unprecedented crowds
OLIVER CROMWELL TO BE RENAMED
GCR marks the centernary of the Territorial Army with a royal renaming ceremony.
GCR STAGES BIGGEST EVER STEAM GALA
FOUR STAR ENGINES MAKE 'MAIN LINE MAGIC' (10TH/11TH/12TH OCTOBER)
GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY HELPS BOYS BRIGADE CELEBRATE MILESTONE
Special train fares for battalion members this Saturday!
The Steam Railway Gala is coming!
Book multi day tickets now
REAL ALES ON THE RAILS
GREAT CENTRAL STAGES THREE DAY BEER FESTIVAL (26th, 27th, 28th 2008)
FIRST PUBLIC PASSENGER TRAINS FOR BRAND NEW STEAM ENGINE
Book your seat in railway history, Monday 22nd, Tuesday 23rd Sept 2008
LMS Jubilee class "LEANDER" visit announced!
Latest surprise guest for Express Engine year.
Diesels rule the rails!
Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12th, 13th, 14th Sept 2008
8000 Dreams Come True
Railway Sells 8000th Award Winning Drive A Locomotive Experience
Meet "Tornado"!
Britain's brand new steam engine arrives in Leicestershire
Forthcoming Events At The Great Central Railway
A golden autumn of events as the year of express engines continues…
Thomas In Town For A Bank Holiday Treat
Tank engine favourite brings Toby the tram and Daisy the diesel railcar along too
Britain's Brand New Steam Engine On Its Way To Leicestershire
"Tornado" ready to create a storm at the Great Cental Railway
Get Active For Summer With New ‘Walks From The Line Guide’
Great Central Railway promotes new fare and booklet to get people walking over the summer holidays
England Expects!
‘Lord Nelson’ on the bridge at the Great Central Railway. Famous steam engine from the national collection on a whirlwind visit to Leicestershire.
Great Central Railway Records Trading Profit For Second Year
Continued improvement in company finances.
Wagons Roll!
Historic coal trains recreated for one weekend at the Great Central Railway (21st / 22nd June 2008)
Fairburn 2-6-4T No. 42085 To Visit The Great Central Railway In 2008/2009
Lakeside and Haverthwaite star heading to Loughborough for repairs and running.
Great Central Goes to War
Railway lines up working Enigma machine for roaring 40s themed weekend
Former Blue Peter presenter Simon Groom to perform ceremony this week (5th June 2008)
New attraction “a great leap forward” for accessible family facilities at the GCR
A Scorching Hot Summer Of Special Events At The Great Central Railway
May, June and July 2008
Great Central Railway Salutes Stars Of The Sixties (17th/18th May)
“Oliver Cromwell” steams to celebrate as engines turn back the clock
Rail Minister Tom Harris Steams Into Leicestershire For Great Central Railway Visit
MP will formally rededicate "Oliver Cromwell" to mark historic loco’s returns to steam.
Iconic Locomotive Stages Comeback This Weekend (3rd, 4th, 5th May) At Great Central Railway
“Oliver Cromwell” ready to run again exactly four decades after making railway history
Railway Launches ‘Walks From The Line Guide’
10 walks to bring railway and countryside closer together
Exciting Visiting Engine Coming To The Great Central Railway For April
Great Western delight in store...
Easter Giveaway At The Great Central
Mini eggs and family prizes galore for the holidays!
Swinging 60s Times At The GCR!
Railway flashes back to the 60s this weekend. Classic cars meet classic trains. Dress up and get in for less!
Great Central Lines Up "Blockbuster" May / June Programme
The Main Course For “The Year Of Express Engines”
Leicester City Council Staff Set To Enjoy Discount Day Out
Award Winning Family Railway Opens The Doors To Council Staff, Families And Friends
It Don't Mean A Thing, If It Ain't Got That Swing
GCR swinging 1960s show will star Class 40 D212 in a mixed traction three day display (14th / 15th and 16th March 2008)
Great Central Marks 75th Anniversary Of Fatal Railway Accident At Loughborough Central
Relatives from across the country gather to remember (Saturday 2nd Feb)
Flippin’ Good Time at The Great Central This Weekend (2nd /3rd Feb)
Pancake festival on the line
Class 40 Is GCR Guest Diesel For 2008
D212 “Aureol” will move to Leicestershire line in March
Winter Gala Wows The Crowd
Three thousand people for GCR annual event.
A Shropshire Stately Home And A Knight Of The Round Table - All Driven By Steam!
Three thousand enthusiasts to descend on Leicestershire this weekend for major Great Central Railway steam gala. (Jan 26th/Jan 27th)
Burns Night On The Line
Haggis, ‘Neeps’ and ‘Tattys’ just for starters as Scottish Chef and bagpiper combine to make a memorable party
Southern Extravaganza For Great Central Winter Gala
Memories Of The Somerset And Dorset Revived Forty Years On With Two Visiting Engines
Meet The Ghosts Of Christmas Past
Slip back in time for a traditional celebration at the Great Central Railway this weekend (Sat 8th Dec only)

Next Event

THREE DAY DIESEL GALA

Friday 10 September 2010 to Sunday 12 September 2010
 
Book now for Santa

Book Now For Santa!

Christmas is a special traditional time of year. Santa has swapped his sleigh for a fun filled journey on board an enchanting steam train.

The whole experience is full of festive fun!

View Details and Book Online

Latest News

 

As seen on TV for 15 weeks!

Great Central behind the scenes documentary ready to air.
Recreating the experience!
Copyright 2010 Great Central Railway | Website Terms & Conditions