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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN 

Friends-LogoThe Great Central Railway (GCR) aims to re-create, for present and future generations, the experience of British main line railway operation during the best years of steam locomotives.  We run regular Steam and Diesel hauled trains for tourists and enthusiasts between Loughborough and Leicester and we are a Gold award East Midlands Tourism Accredited Visitor Attraction and are Britain’s only Double Track Main Line Heritage Railway.

The Friends of the Great Central Main Line (FoGCML) is the railway’s membership organisation and helps provide the continually improving heritage experience that is the GCR.  The vast majority of people who operate our railway are unpaid volunteers, all of whom are members of the FoGCML.  Operating our 100 year old railway, comprising bridges, track, buildings, signalling, locomotives and rolling stock is an expensive business, becoming even more so as time continues to march on!

The ongoing support from our members and volunteers is essential in ensuring the continued success of the railway. Why not help us and join the FoGCML?  In return for a modest membership subscription, you will receive many  benefits, including our regular magazine Main Line, and except during some special events, reduced fare travel on the railway.

We regularly receive positive comments about our main line atmosphere and courteous staff and your generous support will help us to keep the GCR running for future generations to enjoy.  Please click on the appropriate link below to join us.  Your support would be very welcome!

Andy Fillingham - Chairman

CONTACT FOGCML

The FoGCML desk is staffed from 8am to 3pm Monday to Friday.

Telephone: 01509 632338

E-mail: friends@gcrailway.co.uk

By post: FoGCML, Great Central Railway, Lovatt House, 3 Wharncliffe Road, Loughborough, LE11 1SL.

 

JOIN FOGCML

It's easy to join FoGCML or renew your existing membership online....

fogcmlbtnjoin fogcmlbtnrenew

 

Your Privacy - Friends of the Great Central Main Line (FoGCML) take your privacy and data security very seriously and we respect your privacy and data protection rights.

The FoGCML Privacy Policy is available here.

 

CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP

Adult (18 and over)                                                                         £28 per year

Senior (over 65)                                                                                 £25 per year

Family/Joint (Two adults and up to three children)                          £35 per year

First Class                                                                                             £80 per year 

Student (up to 24)                                                                              £15 per year

Junior (under 18)                                                                             £15 per year

(the qualifying age for adult / junior subscription changed to age 18 from 1st January 2016)

 

For overseas members a £5 supplement is applied to the membership categories.

There’s a great range of benefits for the Friends of the Great Central Main Line 

  • Four copies per year of the award winning magazine Main Line
  • Free access to GCR stations and discounts on fares including galas (except as advertised)
  • Special offers at the GCR's shop
  • The chance to support the Railway by enlisting as a volunteer and be upgraded to working friend status, with additional benefits, after a qualifying period

 

First Class Friends also get

  • Discounts for themselves and up to five others on 1st Class Dining Trains

Working Friends (volunteers who are formally enrolled through the volunteer support team at Lovatt House and give at least the hourly equivalent of six full working days voluntary service to the railway each year) also receive:

  • A discount on their membership subscription
  • Discounts on 1st Class Dining Trains and Drive a Locomotive Experience services

AND you will be safe in the knowledge that your support will help preserve the experience of a unique steam operated double track main line railway for you and future generations to enjoy!

 

Area Groups

 

Download our Constitution as a PDF document here - Updated 29th July 2023

Report of the Committee and Unaudited Statement of Accounts for the Year ended January, 31st, 2016

Report of the Committee and Unaudited Statement of Accounts for the Year ended January, 31st, 2017

Report of the Committee and Unaudited Statement of Accounts for the Year ended January 31st 2018.

Report of the Committee and Unaudited Statement of Accounts for the Year ended January 31st 2019.

Report of the Committee and Unaudited Statement of Accounts for the Year ended January 31st 2020.

Report of the Committee and Unaudited Statement of Accounts for the Year ended January 31st 2021.

Report of the Committee and Unaudited Statement of Accounts for the Year ended January 31st 2022.

Report of the Committee and Unaudited Statement of Accounts for the Year ended January 31st 2023.

 

 

Minutes of previous Annual General Meeting of FoGCML - 6th July 2019

Minutes of Extraordinary General Meeting of FoGCML - 6th July 2019

Minutes of Annual General Meeting (via Zoom) on Saturday 6 February 2021

Minutes of Annual General Meeting of FoGCML on Saturday 17 July 2021

Minutes of Annual General Meeting of FoGCML on Saturday 23 July 2022

Minutes of Annual General Meeting of FoGCML on Saturday 29 July 2023

Minutes of Extraordinary General Meeting of FoGCML - Saturday 29 July 2023

 

 

Our next running day

This Weekend

Two steam locomotives and a heritage Diesel Railcar are operating this weekend.

This Weekend

Our appeals




Reunification appeal - Reuniting the two halves of the Great Central Railway

Special Events

This is a selection of our special events, to see the full list, click here

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