LATEST NEWS: 10th October. 78019 has been returned to service and Sir Lamiel stood down. Loco diagrams will return to those published for Sunday 11th October.

The Great Central Railway is proud to continue its long association with premier steam magazine 'Steam Railway'. As they celebrate their 30th birthday, the Great Central celebrates its 40th.

(Coming for more than one day? See our stay and dine deal with a local hotel below).

We've got a really exciting line up of motive power - truly a 'one off combination'- and one which is unlikely to be repeated. It's shades of the North West in the sixties. There will be seven engines in steam in total, three of which are visiting the GCR and the triumphant return of Oliver Cromwell.

It's the return of the three day...

Our three guest engines will include:

Reknowned aritst David Shepherd's 9F no. 92203 "Black Prince"

The KWVR WD 90733 (making its first visit to another heritage railway)

and the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway's Fairburn Tank no 42085. 

BR Standard 7, Britannia Class, no 70013 "Oliver Cromwell" will be hauling trains having returned from main line duties.

Other engines in action from the home fleet are expected to include

8F no 48305, GRC O4, no 63601 and BR Standard 2 no. 78019.

This is a three day event. All full price runabout tickets will include a complimentary gala programme (while stocks last).

On Friday the timetable will feature a 45 minute passenger train service with mileage available behind our visitors: 9F no 92203 'Black Prince', WD no 90733 and Fairburn Tank no 42085. ON Friday night a photographic shoot on the shed front is being arranged. This will be outside the shed and on the yard apron. This event will be free to all holders of lineside permits, free to FOGCML members (on production of membership card) and free to anyone who holds any type of ticket for any of the three days of this event. Admission in all other cases will be £5. It is currently not proposed to errect additional lighting for the photographic evening.

On Saturday and Sunday we'll step up to our famously intensive double track timetable which will see trains every few minutes. Besides our passenger trains (some featuring on board catering) there will be varied freight services and the famous non stop postal drop. Both the 9F and WD locomotives should feature on the 'Windcutter' mineral wagons during the weekend. With the O4 as well - there is something of a heavy metal freight theme! Look out for 'the shap banker' being recreated with Oliver Cromwell at the head of a train and the Fairburn tank assisting in rear. The Fairburn will also haul some two coach local trains. The RVP gresley TPO coaches will be on display in the road loading siding at Quorn.

Here's a list of expected additional attractions:

Loughborough Central

• GCR closure / start of restoration photographic exhibition.

• Railway Children charity fundraising stall and face painter.
• Boscastle locomotive fundraising stand.

Quorn and Woodhouse

• Beer tent Saturday and Sunday 

• Steam Railway magazine stand

• Departure point for bus to tour Mountsorrel branch (tours last approx one hour) 10.30 - 3.30 Sunday

• Mountsorrel granite wagon and branch project stand

• Railway Vehicle Preservations Ltd stand and Gresley postal vehicles open to view.

• Windcutter wagons and sales stand.

• Food stand

• Locomotive society trade stands

Rothley

• Carriage and Wagon shed open to display RVP vehicles. (Please note – there is strictly NO access to rear of shed / yard due to shunting.)

• Ellis's tea room open.

Leicester North

• Photographic display on station

All attractions and locomotives appear subject to availabilty. Check back here for more updates, including full timetables closer to the event.

Our thanks to Rick Eborall and Matt Allen for the pictures on this page.

VISITING FOR MORE THAN ONE DAY? WE HAVE A NEW STAY AND DINE DEAL WITH A LOCAL HOTEL

In conjunction with the 4 star Burleigh Court Hotel, Loughborough, the Great Central Railway are now able to offer weekend breaks to include fine dining on their trains.
Initially two packages are available as follows:

Two nights stay including bed and breakfast with one dinner at the hotel and one dinner on the train - from £136 per person sharing a double/twin. (£160 single).

One night stay including lunch on the train and dinner, bed and breakfast at the hotel - from £90 per person sharing a double/twin. (£103 single).

All prices include a day’s runabout ticket on the railway, which is valid for the day of the train meal. Packages are only valid Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If you are visiting for a gala event and wish to enjoy a second day at the railwayl you can buy another travel ticket at the appropriate privilege rate.
Telephone 01509 230726 to make your reservation. (Not available for Christmas trains or New Years Eve).

THE GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY - CELEBRATING FORTY YEARS OF PRESERVATION IN 2009