- Join Santa on a magical vintage Steam Train ride! Gifts, treats, and festive fun for every child on the Santa Express!
Running across four packed days our annual Autumn Steam Gala features an intensive timetable of passenger, goods and double-headed trains with LMS Jubilee Class No. 45596 Bahamas announced as one of this years star attractions — making its final appearance before overhaul.
A guided walking tour of the track bed north of Loughborough Loco Shed that will, one day soon, once again be the route north for the Great Central Railway. The tour will be led by both Ken Simms and Tom Ingall will leave leaving from the Loughborough Central Station on Saturday 4th October at 12:00pm and Sunday 5th October at 11am and 2:30pm.
Make a stop at our Quorn and Woodhouse station and head to our Tin Shed Bar, open from 10.00 daily offering an excellent range of cask ales and ciders; also, tea, coffee, soft drinks and light refreshments to keep you going throughout the day.
Autumn Steam Gala Beers Available at The Tin Shed Include:
Rock Mild
Extra Pale Ale
Legend Bitter
Foundry Mild
(all Nottingham Brewery)
All beers subject to availability as the Gala progresses!
Take a seat in our original 1960s Griddle Car or our newly relaunched Buffet Car and enjoy a classic railway dining experience. Serving up freshly prepared hot and cold food, it’s the perfect way to enjoy great food while soaking up the sights and sounds of a heritage railway.
Start your journey with a Great Central Railway breakfast – from a full English to a hearty breakfast bap or classic beans on toast. If you fancy something lighter, you’ll also find a selection of sandwiches and other refreshments to keep you going. Alongside the Griddle and Buffet Cars, our cafés and refreshment rooms across the railway will be open throughout the gala.
Autumn Steam Gala Beers Available For the trains (Griddle & Refreshment cars) include:
Tollgate: Billy’s Best
Tollgate: Red Star
4T’s: Geronimo
Goffs: White Knight
Burton Bridge: Stairway to Nectaron
Nottingham: Porter
Golden Duck: EPA
Titanic: White Star
All beers subject to availability as the Gala progresses!
Our upcoming Autumn Steam Gala is not far away, and we have the perfect memorabilia for you to wear across the four packed days of steam running. Choose from two different T-shirt designs, featuring LNWR 1054 “Coal Tank” and LMS Jubilee Class No. 45596 Bahamas!
Both guest locomotives will be running during the gala so make sure to get a picture of you and the star steamers wearing your new merch and tag us!
Enjoy a BBQ at Loughborough Station from Thursday-Saturday, sizzling up some delicious burgers.
Butler-Henderson Cafe and Ellis Tearoom will be open during the Gala, with revised timings on Friday and Saturday – 08:30 to 18:30 and Sunday, 09:00 to 16:00. Enjoy a range of refreshments including hot and cold food and light refreshments at the GCR’s preserved period cafes
A variety of trade stands will be on display in the marquee at Quorn & Woodhouse Station. Visitors will have the chance to browse stalls hosted by several locomotive owning groups and heritage projects, including:
More groups will be added to the list soon, it’s a great opportunity to meet the teams behind these exciting projects, learn more about their work, and show your support.
On Friday at 18:30, our 1960s Griddle Car will be serving freshly cooked burgers and hot dogs, all hauled by our visiting locomotive 13268, the Stanier Mogul from the Severn Valley Railway.
It’s the perfect combination – classic steam, good food, and a lively Friday night atmosphere.
Travelling by train
If you are travelling to the event by train – please read carefully
Thursday 2 & Friday 3 October
Normal EMR services to/from Loughborough.
Friday 3 October
Free shuttle bus between Loughborough Midland (EMR) and Loughborough Central. Bus departs Loughborough Midland (EMR) at 0830, 0905, 0937, 1005, 1040, 1105, 1140. Returning from Lovatt House (150 yds from Loughborough Central) at 1525, 1555, 1615, 1640, 1705, 1730, 1810. Journey time approx. 7 minutes. Planned vehicle: Leyland Olympian B190BLG.
Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 October
No trains at Loughborough Midland (EMR) due to engineering works. Rail replacement buses between Leicester and East Midlands Parkway. Normal services London–Leicester and Birmingham–Peterborough.
Saturday 4 October
Free shuttle bus between Leicester London Road (EMR) and Leicester North (GCR). Bus departs from Stop EG, opposite Leicester London Road (EMR) station at 0820, 0905, 0955, 1035, 1125. Returning from Leicester North 5 minutes after trains actually arrive between 1500 and 1805 (scheduled at 1505, 1550, 1635, 1720, 1810). Journey time approx. 20 minutes.
Unfortunately low floor bus W219XBD is unavailable owing to a mechanical issue. Dennis Dominator FUT240V, which has a stepped entrance, will substitute.
Buses provided by Leicester Transport Heritage Trust. Services subject to change.
