Reunification
Joining the two surviving halves of the GCR
Reunification is the most exciting railway project in UK railway preservation. We’re connecting two halves of the Great Central – one in Leicestershire, the other in Nottinghamshire. By rebuilding five hundred meters of track, we can create an eighteen-mile heritage line to power the East Midlands tourism economy and be a national showcase for Britain’s railway story.
It will also mean the Great Central has a connection to the national railway network meaning charter trains can arrive. We’ll also be able to build up our railway testing, training and filming work, further boosting the area’s economy.
This is happening! We’ve already completed three parts of this multimillion-pound project and have planning consent to finish the rest. In 2026 we hope to build two more sections provided we can raise the funds. It’s the ultimate people power project so please consider a donation because every pound helps us build more railway and deliver economic benefits to the UK.
Why the Reunification Adventure?
The Adventure
After the GCR was closed in the 1960s, 500 metres of railway which connected long sections of line between Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire was destroyed. We need to rebuild bridges and embankments and relay track. It’s going to cost millions of pounds. With your help we have already raised and spent millions and completed three parts of the project, including an impressive new bridge over the four tracks of Midland Main Line at Loughborough.
When its complete the new railway will be a thrilling heritage attraction with the power to bring in visitors from around the world. It will tell the story of Britain’s railways through the decades for a new generation, right in the heart of the UK.
It is a great social enterprise, connecting communities and providing camaraderie for thousands of volunteers.
Lets get building soon!
Already 77% of target raised
£3,500,000.00
How you can help
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.
Latest News
Read all about it in Trackside
- Reunification
Our friends at Trackside Magazine have a new issue out, including a comprehensive look at Reunification. Written over Christmas 2025 its the most up to date examination of the project in print yet. There’s plenty of archive pictures so you can compare ‘then’ with ‘now’ and look at the work...
On the drawing table
- Reunification
The experts at our project partners Cass Hayward are working hard to get the designs for the Factory Flyover section of Reunification completed by the end of April 2026. This is the section across the factory car park and the crossing of Railway Terrace road. Richard Clough (above right) from...
Tim Dunn explores Reunification
- Reunification
In the Summer we were fortunate to host railway broadcaster and historian Tim Dunn at the Great Central Railway. He came to take a look at the Reunification project for himself, see the work done so far and the plans for what comes next. Enjoy the film as a curtain...
Design time
- Reunification
Our bridge specialists Cass Hayward are now hard at work, taking the Factory Flyover stage of the Reunification project to ‘final design’ stage. This is a vital bit of work which has to be completed before we can get building again. We’ve already received planning consent based on concept drawings...
Let’s talk!
- Reunification
Booking a speaker for your group? Interested in the biggest heritage railway project in the country? We’re happy to help spread the word! The Great Central Railway Reunification project has got us all talking – literally. Our speakers travel the country from Newcastle to London and beyond, delivering high quality...
Take a tour with Tim
- Reunification
We’re delighted to team up with Tim Dunn, energetic railway historian and television presenter, to help get our epic Reunification project to more people. It’s not just one of the UKs biggest heritage railway projects, its one of the UKs biggest heritage projects full stop. We let him tour the...
