The Great Central Railway have the expertise and facilities to help make your testing, training or trials programme a success.

Heavy or light rail vehicles, plant, tools and machinery - We have experience working with the biggest names in the modern railway industry – including Network Rail, Mercedes Benz and Brush Traction. And we don’t just deal in metal – you can train your people on our extensive infrastructure.

Our main line, fully signalled railway has the maximum axle loading (25 tons) and we can operate at up to 60mph. In some circumstances, diesel locomotives can be tested up to 75mph. We’re double track, so have all the capacity you need. Just imagine – no more fighting to win limited, expensive slots on the national network in the early hours of the morning and paying more than you need.

Our website will tell you a more about our railway and the unique facilities we can offer. If you want to know more or if we can help in anyway, pick up the phone and call our Sales Team on 01509 632323

Civilised times, sensible prices.
Right in the heart of the country. Just minutes from the M1.

Your test track of choice.
The Great Central Railway.

About The Railway

The Great Central is an established heritage railway based in Loughborough, Leicestershire. Part of a former main line trunk route to London, it is has light gradients (maximum 1 in 176) and gentle curves.

The line is eight miles long, of which five and a half miles is double track, fully signalled on the absolute block system, controlled by three signalboxes. The remainder is single track. All structures are rated for 25 ton axle loading and on the double track section the maximum permissible speed is 60 mph.

There are no tunnels and only one foot crossing. There are four stations, one of which – Quorn & Woodhouse has a large open yard. It is an ideal site for demonstrations and is also the location of the loading and unloading siding for transferring vehicles to and from the railway by road.

With advance planning, the double track can allow our heritage activities to continue while your testing work is underway. Where you require complete possession and privacy we can of course facilitate this too – and confidentiality is guaranteed.

The railway is just 10 minutes drive from junction 23 of the M1 while Midland Main Line’s Loughborough Midland station is just 5 minutes drive from our headquarters - and 90 minutes from London St Pancras by IC125 or ‘Meridian’ . See the locations section for directions.

Army Training © Mike Callis

EWS Truck © Mike Callis