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.
Help us build the next 2 stages
Already 90% of target raised
£3,200,000.00
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
Ground investigation update
- Reunification
In summer 2025 we undertook comprehensive ground investigation works, thanks to your fundraising. This quarter of a million pound step means we now have a proper understanding of what’s in the ground beneath our feet – or rather what’s in the ground beneath where the new Reunification line will run....
We’ve raised tens of thousands in our new push to build.
- Reunification
We’d like to say a warm and heartfelt thank you to everyone who has donated to the Reunification fund in our new fundraising push. We’ve been contacting people who have previously supported the project, members of Friends of the GCR Main Line and taking our message around the country. In...
DESIGN DONE!
- Reunification
The detailed design of the Factory Flyover is complete. The hard work of leading bridge specialists Cass Hayward has taken the concept and turned it into construction ready design drawings in the space of a few weeks. Fifty two drawings, twenty five schedules for the reinforcement metal bending and one...
Turn up the volume, raise some funds
- Reunification
Can’t wait to experience the full reunified Great Central? Now you can step back to the 1960s and enjoy a journey along the main line on the 3rd and 4th of September 1966. Just before the line was closed as a through route and the tracks ripped up south of...
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...
