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

Thu 21 May

Fri 22 May

Sat 23 May

Sun 24 May

Mon 25 May

Tue 26 May

Wed 27 May

Our Monthly Calendars

Monthly Calendars

Our Family Ticket

Family Ticket

The Great Central Railway offers local families a relaxed half-day adventure where children explore a real working railway and parents enjoy quality screen-free time together.

Voted Best Day Out in the Leicestershire Travel and Tourism Awards, Great Central Railway offers steam train rides, historic stations, family activities and places to eat—all in one day out. Swap tablets and screens for steam trains, fresh air and real, quality time together as you explore a real, working railway from a bygone age.

What to Expect

You day out can be Big or Small

Whether you’re visiting for a couple of hours for a steam train ride and a sweet treat, or making a full day of it, it’s perfect for a family day out in Leicestershire—and one of the region’s most unique things to do with the kids of all ages.

Every visit Includes

The chance to ride heritage trains, discover the story of the railway as you wander through characterful stations and enjoy a treat or two along the way. There are free activity packs available for kids that are designed to take their attention away from their tech and towards the trains giving you quality time together.

Upcoming Events at the GCR

Upcoming Events

Sulzer Running Day

Sulzers Takes The Spotlight

More Information

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.

Discover Your Railway

Less Screen Time and More Steam Time

More Information

Explore behind the scenes and enjoy a great day out! LE, DE, & NG postcode residents get tickets for £12 with code LOCAL50. Includes unlimited train travel — plus Kids for a Quid!

Reunification Evening

You are invited to a Reunification Fundraising Evening

More Information

Wine, dine and raise a glass while fundraising to the continued progress of Reunification Project at the GCR

Sulzer Running Day

Sulzers Takes The Spotlight

More Information

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.

Discover Your Railway

Less Screen Time and More Steam Time

More Information

Explore behind the scenes and enjoy a great day out! LE, DE, & NG postcode residents get tickets for £12 with code LOCAL50. Includes unlimited train travel — plus Kids for a Quid!

Sulzer Running Day

Sulzers Takes The Spotlight

More Information

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.

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

Mother's Day Express

A special mother’s day first class dining experience

More Information

On this special day, we celebrate the incredible women who’ve filled our lives with love and support so why not celebrate in style! This Mother’s Day, treat her to a 3-course lunch plus Tea & Coffee,

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

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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.

The Master Cutler

One for the foodies! Enjoy a four-course evening meal

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Seasonal Starters, Mains, Desserts and a Cheeseboard, this four course Friday lunch made with seasonal ingredients is one for the foodies.

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.

The Charnwood Forester

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

More Information

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.

After something Different? Try a GCR Experience

GCR Experiences

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.

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!

Steam Driver Experience

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

More Information

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.

Diesel Driver Experience

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

More Information

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!

Steam Driver Experience

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

More Information

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.

GCR Home Fleet

No. 48624

Type

Stanier 8F

Designer

Sir William Stanier

Configuration

2-8-0

No. 5305

Type

5MT

Designer

Sir William Stanier

Configuration

4-6-0

No. 63601

Type

8K (later O4)

Designer

John G. Robinson

Configuration

2-8-0

Class 101 DMUs

Power Output

~300 bhp total from two engines

Engine

Two BUT (AEC or Leyland) 150 bhp each

Max Speed

~70 mph

No. 78019

Type

BR Standard 2

Designer

R. A. Riddles

Configuration

2-6-0

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

Sulzer Running Day

GCR Fine-Dining

Pie & Mash Express

GCR Experience

Steam Driver Experience

Steam Driver

Explore the next Seven Days

Upcoming Seven Days

Thu 21 May

Fri 22 May

Sat 23 May

Sun 24 May

Mon 25 May

Tue 26 May

Wed 27 May

Our Monthly Calendars

Monthly Calendars

Our Family Ticket

Family Ticket

What to Expect

You day out can be Big or Small

Every visit Includes

Upcoming Events at the GCR

Upcoming Events

Sulzer Running Day

Discover Your Railway

Reunification Evening

Sulzer Running Day

Discover Your Railway

Sulzer Running Day

First-Class Dining Service at the GCR

First-Class Dining

Departing Services

Mother's Day Express

Pie & Mash Express

GCR Afternoon Tea

The Master Cutler

The Charnwood Forester

The Charnwood Forester

After something Different? Try a GCR Experience

GCR Experiences

Diesel Driver Experience

Class 55 Deltic Experience

Steam Driver Experience

Diesel Driver Experience

Goods Experiences

Steam Driver Experience

GCR Home Fleet

No. 48624

No. 5305

No. 63601

Class 101 DMUs

No. 78019

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