Accessibility Policy

Everyone is warmly welcome at the Great Central Railway. We’re committed to making your visit as enjoyable and memorable as possible, and we’re continuously working to improve access for visitors with mobility or other access needs.

As a heritage railway, our stations and trains were built at a time when accessibility wasn’t considered in the way it is today. While we are making improvements, some restrictions remain. This guide is here to help you plan your visit.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call our Loughborough Booking Office on 01509 632323 — we’ll be happy to help.

Fares and Carers.

Registered disabled visitors are offered a reduced fare, the level of which is dependent on the day of travel. Tickets at a reduced fare can be purchased online or in person at the Booking Office. An accompanying registered Essential Carer is offered a ticket at £8 when they show proof of their carer credentials at the Booking Office and therefore can only be purchased at the Booking Office.

Accepted forms of proof include a Carer ID card, Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Credit letter, an award letter for the person cared for or ID identifying them as a carer in a care home or similar residential establishment.

Parking and Getting to the Platform

Parking is available at all our stations. Leicester North has dropped kerbs, and Quorn and Rothley offer level, kerb-free access. Designated accessible parking bays are provided at Quorn and Rothley, with further bays planned at Leicester North and Greenacres.

Loughborough has two accessible bays, but these are unfortunately placed next to dropped kerbs, which limits their usefulness. At Quorn, Leicester North and Rothley, there are paved and level routes from the car park to the platform. The ramps to platforms at Quorn and Rothley are slightly steeper than modern standards, so help may be needed. Loughborough station has a lift from street level to the platforms.

Boarding the Train

All stations and trains are equipped with portable ramps for wheelchair access. Please be aware that stations such as Quorn, Rothley, and Leicester North may be unstaffed during quieter times, but train staff will be happy to assist.

Our trains have coaches designed to accommodate wheelchair users including toilet facilities, but we do recommend calling the Booking Office in advance to ensure the services running that day offer this feature as we continue to expand our accessible fleet.

Whilst our coaches do offer wheelchair access via ramps, due to the historic design and narrow corridors of the coaches, it may not be possible to move throughout the train once on board.

Station Facilities

All stations except Leicester North have level access into the station buildings. We are actively working to improve access at Leicester North. Entry may still be possible there with the support of a companion or carer.

Accessible toilets are available at all stations, as well as in all cafés.

Cafés and Catering Facilities

All cafés — including the Platform Café at Greenacres (Leicester North), Ellis’s at Rothley, Butler-Henderson at Quorn, and the buffet at Loughborough — are accessible to wheelchair users. Table layouts vary slightly by location and may suit different types of wheelchairs differently, but our friendly staff will always do their best to help.

Ellis’s at Rothley has a lift to get to floor level due to its elevated position.

Dining Trains, Pullman, Griddle and Buffet Cars

We’re pleased to be able to offer an accessible carriage for wheelchair users and their guests on our First-Class dining trains, making our heritage dining experience more inclusive.

However, due to the historic design of our coaches, wheelchair access is not currently available within our Griddle or Buffet cars.

To ensure we can meet your needs, please contact the Loughborough Booking Office on 01509 632 323 in advance. Pre-booking is essential for all First-Class dining experiences.

Access to Attractions

The Emporium, Shop and Museum at Loughborough all have level access. The Emporium is compact, so movement inside may be limited, but staff are happy to assist.

The Locomotive Shed at Loughborough is not usually open to the public for safety reasons, but by prior arrangement, wheelchair users may be able to access the entrance area with the help of a carer or assistant. The shed floor is oily, and access involves an ash-surfaced path, so wheels will get dirty, and support is strongly advised.

Signal boxes are operational areas with steep steps and are not accessible to wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.

At Quorn, access to the turntable and mail-drop areas is currently limited until surface improvements are completed. Visitors using powered chairs may be able to reach these attractions by following the “military road” to the left as you enter the station yard. Assistance is recommended.

Swithland Sidings are an operational area and not open to the public.

For accessibility information for the Mountsorrel Branch line and Heritage centre please visit http://heritage-centre.co.uk/visit-us/disabled-access/

The Carriage and Wagon Works at Rothley is not generally open to visitors outside of special event days. It is a working area with narrow walkways and equipment, making it unsuitable for wheelchair users.

Group Visits

We’re very happy to welcome groups with access needs. Please contact the Loughborough Booking Office in advance on 01509 632 323 so we can make suitable arrangements for parking, station access, and any specific coach requirements.

Visitors with Hearing or Vision Impairments

All booking office windows are fitted with induction loops for those who are hard of hearing.

If you are partially sighted, please take care when moving around our stations. Platform edges are marked with white lines, but due to the listed status of our buildings, modern visual contrast features may not be present. Our station staff will be happy to assist.

Wheelchairs and Mobility Scooters

Most of our trains can accommodate standard wheelchairs within the following dimensions:
Length: 1200mm | Width: 700mm | Weight (including user): 200kg

Three-wheeled mobility scooters may be permitted in luggage spaces in the brake van, provided they meet these conditions:

• • Maximum length of 1000mm and width of 700mm

• • Maximum speed of 4mph

• • Maximum weight (including user) of 200kg

• • Sealed batteries and a free-wheeling option

• • Ability to manage gradients of up to 30 degrees

Many scooters are designed for pavement use and may not be suitable for train travel.

If you have any questions or need support, please speak to station staff, onboard crew (the Guard or Travelling Ticket Inspector), or call the Loughborough Booking Office on 01509 632323.

We’re here to help ensure your visit to the Great Central Railway is safe, comfortable, and enjoyable.