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

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

Railwayana Swapmeet

Buy, sell and explore a world of railway memorabilia

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The famous GCR Railwayana Swapmeet returns to the Quorn and Woodhouse Station for 2026.

Good(s) Friday

Start your Easter with the Good(s) Friday Event!

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Celebrate Good Friday with us and experience the exceptional power of goods trains in action alongside our regular passenger services.

Family Easter Egg Hunt

An Easter adventure the whole family can enjoy

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Our Easter Egg Hunt is perfect for little explorers, with a railway-wide challenge that takes you across all four of our heritage stations in search of 12 brightly coloured Easter eggs.

Railwayana Swapmeet

Buy, sell and explore a world of railway memorabilia

More Information

The famous GCR Railwayana Swapmeet returns to the Quorn and Woodhouse Station for 2026.

Good(s) Friday

Start your Easter with the Good(s) Friday Event!

More Information

Celebrate Good Friday with us and experience the exceptional power of goods trains in action alongside our regular passenger services.

Railwayana Swapmeet

Buy, sell and explore a world of railway memorabilia

More Information

The famous GCR Railwayana Swapmeet returns to the Quorn and Woodhouse Station for 2026.

First-Class Dining Service at the GCR

Frist-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.

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.

The Carolean

Join us on Saturday afternoon for a delightful three-course meal

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Join us on selected Saturdays throughout the year at 1:00PM as we serve you a delightful three-course meal, topped off with a serving of tea, coffee and hand finished chocolates.

The Rothley Rose

A Three course meal paired with award-winning wines.

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Enjoy a sophisticated Friday evening aboard the Rothley Rose, combining heritage steam travel with a curated wine pairing experience featuring award-winning wines from the Rothley Wine Estate.

The Midlander

A leisurely two course lunch

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Start the weekend in style and enjoy a 16-mile return journey whilst being served a seasonal two-course meal, followed by tea & coffee.

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.

After something Different? Try a GCR Experience

GCR Experiences

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!

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.

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.

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

More Information

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

Goods Experiences

Step into the fascinating world of railway freight

More Information

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!

GCR Home Fleet

Class 50 – 50017

Nickname (Loco)

Royal Oak

Engine Output

2,700 bhp

Max Speed

100 mph

No. 70013

Type

BR Standard 7

Designer

R.A. Riddles

Configuration

4-6-2

No. 30777

Type

N15 “King Arthur” Class

Designer

Richard Maunsell

Configuration

4-6-0

No. 30777

Type

N15 “King Arthur” Class

Designer

Richard Maunsell

Configuration

4-6-0

No. 48305

Type

Stanier 8F

Designer

Sir William Stanier

Configuration

2-8-0

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

Railwayana Swapmeet

GCR Fine-Dining

The Wimbledon Experience

GCR Experience

Class 55 Deltic Experience

Deltic Driver

The GCR Family Ticket

Family Ticket

Upcoming Events at the GCR

Upcoming Events

Railwayana Swapmeet

Good(s) Friday

Family Easter Egg Hunt

Railwayana Swapmeet

Good(s) Friday

Railwayana Swapmeet

First-Class Dining Service at the GCR

Frist-Class Dining

Departing Services

The Steam & Whistle

Father's Day Express

The Carolean

The Rothley Rose

The Midlander

The Charnwood Forester

After something Different? Try a GCR Experience

GCR Experiences

Goods Experiences

The GCR Guided Tour

Heritage Railcar Driver

Class 55 Deltic Experience

The GCR Guided Tour

Goods Experiences

GCR Home Fleet

Class 50 – 50017

No. 70013

No. 30777

No. 30777

No. 48305

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