Great Central Railway

Golden Age of Mainline Rail Travel in the United kingdom

The UK’s only double track, main line heritage railway, the Great Central Railway exists today after a group of determined volunteers in 1969, saved the line following its closure by British Rail to recreate the experience of a main line steam railway for generations to come.

Today we proudly cherish and develop their legacy as a contemporary visitor attraction that’s open all year running steam and heritage diesel locomotives, as well as heritage railcars to educate and entertain our visitors whilst preserving the story of the railway.

Your Next Adventure

Explore the next Seven Days

Upcoming Seven Days

Tue 21 April

Wed 22 April

Thu 23 April

Fri 24 April

Sat 25 April

Sun 26 April

Mon 27 April

Our Monthly Calendars

Monthly Calendars

The Family Ticket offers the ultimate stress-free day out for families and railway enthusiasts, with everything perfectly planned for you with a thoughtfully designed itinerary and engaging activities for kids with immersive storytelling. From the moment you’re welcomed at our stations, the Family Ticket ensures you can focus on enjoying quality time with your loved ones while we take care of the details.

The GCR Family Ticket

Family Ticket

Step One

Pick your station and decide on a day and time to best suit your family and friends.

Step Two

Purchase a ticket and your tailored itinerary will be emailed directly for you to follow on the day.

Upcoming Events at the GCR

Upcoming Events

Spring Diesel Gala

Gear up for a fantastic weekend at Our Annual Spring Diesel Gala!

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Gear up for a fantastic weekend at Our Annual Spring Diesel Gala with a mix of our home fleet and guest diesel locomotives.

Heritage Bus & Rail Weekend

With up to 50 heritage and modern buses!

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Join us at Quorn & Woodhouse Station for a unique transport-themed day out featuring up to 50 heritage buses, steam trains, free rides and plenty to explore.

Sulzer Running Day

Sulzers Takes The Spotlight

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Join us on Friday 22nd May for our Sulzer Running Day featuring our home fleet Diesel Engines, with an intensive timetable running into the evening.

Spring Diesel Gala

Gear up for a fantastic weekend at Our Annual Spring Diesel Gala!

More Information

Gear up for a fantastic weekend at Our Annual Spring Diesel Gala with a mix of our home fleet and guest diesel locomotives.

Heritage Bus & Rail Weekend

With up to 50 heritage and modern buses!

More Information

Join us at Quorn & Woodhouse Station for a unique transport-themed day out featuring up to 50 heritage buses, steam trains, free rides and plenty to explore.

Spring Diesel Gala

Gear up for a fantastic weekend at Our Annual Spring Diesel Gala!

More Information

Gear up for a fantastic weekend at Our Annual Spring Diesel Gala with a mix of our home fleet and guest diesel locomotives.

First-Class Dining Service at the GCR

First-Class Dining

Welcome Aboard the Great Central Railway’s First-Class Dining Service. Join us for a journey through time, savour fine dining, and immerse yourself in vintage luxury aboard our lovingly restored, first-class dining carriages.

The perfect setting for a family celebration, a catch-up with friends, or a romantic dinner, our stewards are ready to pamper you. Whether it’s a leisurely Saturday or Sunday lunch or a grand night out, relax in style on a sixteen-mile return journey.

Departing Services

The Steam & Whistle

Our Gastro train, perfect for a Saturday night out with friends

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The Steam and Whistle combines the charm of a heritage railway with a gastro pub style seasonal menu, this immersive dining journey offers a unique way dine with friends and family.

The Charnwood Forester

Time to get dressed for dinner and step into an era of timeless elegance

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With a seasonal choice of starters, mains, and dessert, finished off with an English Cheeseboard and hand finished chocolates. Immerse yourself in the opulence of luxury train travel.

Father's Day Express

A delicious meal, family, and unforgettable memories

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This Father’s Day, give Dad the gift of a unique dining experience aboard our vintage steam train.

GCR Afternoon Tea

A treat for loved ones or a spot of indulgence for oneself

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Our much-loved First-Class Afternoon Tea offers guests a luxurious and decadent afternoon adventure that runs throughout the year. Choose from our classic, savoury or chocolate afternoon teas.

Pie & Mash Express

The GCR Supper Club: All aboard for Pie & Mash Night

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There’s something deeply comforting about a proper pie and mash — and there’s no better place to enjoy it than on board one of our first-class evening dining trains.

GCR Afternoon Tea

A treat for loved ones or a spot of indulgence for oneself

More Information

Our much-loved First-Class Afternoon Tea offers guests a luxurious and decadent afternoon adventure that runs throughout the year. Choose from our classic, savoury or chocolate afternoon teas.

After something Different? Try a GCR Experience

GCR Experiences

Heritage Railcar Driver

Double track, signals and stations, it’s what dreams are made of

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The Heritage Railcar Driver Experience offers a unique opportunity to take control and drive a historic railcar for 16 miles, surrounded by the charm of a bygone era.

Goods Experiences

Step into the fascinating world of railway freight

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Step into the fascinating world of railway freight with our exclusive Goods Experience, featuring a unique ride in a Brake Van as the highlight of the day!

Diesel Driver Experience

Double track, signals and stations, it’s what dreams are made of

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Experience the thrill of commanding a diesel locomotive on the UK’s only double-track, main line heritage railway. Our line has double track, signals and stations, it’s the stuff of childhood dreams.

Steam Driver Experience

Double track, signals and stations, it’s what dreams are made of

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Imagine the thrill of taking control of a steam locomotive. On the Great Central Railway you can! Our line has double track, signals and stations, it’s the stuff of childhood dreams.

Class 55 Deltic Experience

Double track, signals and stations, it’s what dreams are made of

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Step into the driver’s seat of Class 55 Deltic D9015 Tulyar as it returns to service in 2026 on the Great Central Railway!

The GCR Guided Tour

A behind the scenes inspection tour of the GCR

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Step beyond the platform and experience the Great Central Railway like never before with our brand-new Premium Guided Package for 2026.

GCR Home Fleet

Class 45 – D123

Power Output

2,500 bhp

Engine

Sulzer 12LDA28B, 12-cylinder diesel

Max Speed

90 mph

Class 37 – 37714

Power Output

Rated 1,750 bhp

Engine

English Electric 12CSVT V12 diesel,

Max Speed

90 mph (80 mph on some bogie variants)

No. 6990

Type

BR(W) Modified Hall

Designer

F. W. Hawksworth

Configuration

4-6-0

Class 37 – D6700

Power Output

Rated 1,750 bhp

Engine

English Electric 12CSVT V12 diesel

Max Speed

90 mph (80 mph on some bogie variants)

No. 70013

Type

BR Standard 7

Designer

R.A. Riddles

Configuration

4-6-2

Reunification Project

Reunification

Its easy to donate. Click below and make a one off donation online, or even set up a regular monthly contribution. If you prefer, download our latest appeal leaflet to donate using a cheque. Just a few pounds every month soon adds up to a generous gift. A regular income also gives other potential funders confidence in our plans.

You can also text UNIFY to 70970 to donate £5.
(For full terms see: platform.nationalfundingscheme.org/terms-and-conditions)

Thank you for your support. Every pound matters and makes a difference. Together we’re making Reunification happen.

The Great Central Railway

The GCR

Support the future of the Great Central Railway by donating today.

Your generous contribution helps safeguard this unique heritage line, not only through the landmark Reunification project—which will reconnect two separate heritage railways to create an eighteen-mile route from the north of Leicester to the south of Nottingham—but also in the vital day-to-day running of the railway.

Donations directly support the maintenance and restoration of our stations and locomotives, the preservation of historic infrastructure, and the training and development of our dedicated staff and volunteers. They ensure the railway continues to thrive as both a living museum and a community resource.

By giving, you’re helping us preserve one of Britain’s most cherished heritage railways, so that future generations can step aboard, experience authentic steam and diesel travel, and discover the stories of the past. Every contribution, large or small, makes a lasting difference in keeping the spirit of the Great Central Railway alive.

Great Central Railway

Golden Age of Mainline Rail Travel in the United kingdom​

Your Next Adventure

Upcoming GCR Event

Spring Diesel Gala

GCR Fine-Dining

The Charnwood Forester

GCR Experience

The GCR Guided Tour

The GCR Tour

Explore the next Seven Days

Upcoming Seven Days

Tue 21 April

Wed 22 April

Thu 23 April

Fri 24 April

Sat 25 April

Sun 26 April

Mon 27 April

Our Monthly Calendars

Monthly Calendars

The GCR Family Ticket

Family Ticket

Upcoming Events at the GCR

Upcoming Events

Spring Diesel Gala

Heritage Bus & Rail Weekend

Sulzer Running Day

Spring Diesel Gala

Heritage Bus & Rail Weekend

Spring Diesel Gala

First-Class Dining Service at the GCR

First-Class Dining

Departing Services

The Steam & Whistle

The Charnwood Forester

Father's Day Express

GCR Afternoon Tea

Pie & Mash Express

GCR Afternoon Tea

After something Different? Try a GCR Experience

GCR Experiences

Heritage Railcar Driver

Goods Experiences

Diesel Driver Experience

Steam Driver Experience

Class 55 Deltic Experience

The GCR Guided Tour

GCR Home Fleet

Class 45 – D123

Class 37 – 37714

No. 6990

Class 37 – D6700

No. 70013

Reunification Project

Reunification

The Great Central Railway

The GCR

GCR Reviews

Loughborough Central

Quorn & Woodhouse

Rothley Station

Leicester North

Golden Age of Mainline Rail Travel in the United kingdom