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 July

Wed 22 July

Thu 23 July

Fri 24 July

Sat 25 July

Sun 26 July

Mon 27 July

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

Your 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

Summer of Discovery

Children Travel for Just £1

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Kick-start the school holidays with an unforgettable family day out as the Great Central Railway launches its Summer of Discovery with a special Summer Fun Weekend — plus Kids for a Quid!

D9015 Tulyar: Return of the Racehorse Weekend

Experience the return of the legendary locomotive

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Join us in marking a major milestone for diesel preservation as D9015 Tulyar prepares to haul its first passenger train in 35 years.

English Electric Running Day

Are you ready for a day of english electrics?

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Join us for English Electric Day, where we showcase the GCR home fleet of English Electric Diesels with an intense timetable running into the evening.

Summer of Discovery

Children Travel for Just £1

More Information

Kick-start the school holidays with an unforgettable family day out as the Great Central Railway launches its Summer of Discovery with a special Summer Fun Weekend — plus Kids for a Quid!

D9015 Tulyar: Return of the Racehorse Weekend

Experience the return of the legendary locomotive

More Information

Join us in marking a major milestone for diesel preservation as D9015 Tulyar prepares to haul its first passenger train in 35 years.

Summer of Discovery

Children Travel for Just £1

More Information

Kick-start the school holidays with an unforgettable family day out as the Great Central Railway launches its Summer of Discovery with a special Summer Fun Weekend — plus Kids for a Quid!

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 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 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Diesel Driver Experience

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

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Class 55 Deltic Experience

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

More Information

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

Class 55 Deltic Experience

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

More Information

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

GCR Home Fleet

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. 47406

Type

Fowler 3F Tank Engine

Designer

Henry Fowler

Configuration

0-6-0

No. 78019

Type

BR Standard 2

Designer

R. A. Riddles

Configuration

2-6-0

No. 34039

Type

Bulleid Light Pacific

Designer

Oliver Bulleid

Configuration

4-6-2

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

Summer of Discovery

GCR Fine-Dining

The Carolean

GCR Experience

Steam Driver Experience

Steam Driver

Explore the next Seven Days

Upcoming Seven Days

Tue 21 July

Wed 22 July

Thu 23 July

Fri 24 July

Sat 25 July

Sun 26 July

Mon 27 July

Our Monthly Calendars

Monthly Calendars

Our Family Ticket

Family Ticket

What to Expect

Your day out can be Big or Small

Every visit Includes

Upcoming Events at the GCR

Upcoming Events

Summer of Discovery

D9015 Tulyar: Return of the Racehorse Weekend

English Electric Running Day

Summer of Discovery

D9015 Tulyar: Return of the Racehorse Weekend

Summer of Discovery

First-Class Dining Service at the GCR

First-Class Dining

Departing Services

The Steam & Whistle

The Carolean

The Charnwood Forester

Pie & Mash Express

The Charnwood Forester

The Rothley Rose

After something Different? Try a GCR Experience

GCR Experiences

Diesel Driver Experience

Steam Driver Experience

The GCR Guided Tour

Diesel Driver Experience

Class 55 Deltic Experience

Class 55 Deltic Experience

GCR Home Fleet

Class 37 – 37714

No. 47406

No. 78019

No. 34039

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