Turn up the volume, raise some funds

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 Rugby, Cedric Clayson carefully recorded the sounds of a final return journey along the line from Leicester Central to London Marylebone.

Now Cedric’s son John has made this extraordinary audio recording a available as “A Great Central Swan Song: echoes of our lost main line.”

In return for a donation to the Reunification fund, John will provide you with a copy of a the soundtrack along with a 150 page illustrated guide book, including pictures like the one above, showing the train departing the long lost Ashby Magna station heading south. The book includes a minute by minute guide to the recording so you can imagine the journey as you go.

John has kindly printed 100 copies of the book and they are already raising funds, with delighted listeners making a journey in time.

“I was totally transported back to 3 Sep 1966!!“

“The quality of the printing and binding are excellent“

“Moving between the photos, the sounds and the description together, I have at times fancied myself as actually being on the train with you and your dad!“

If you’re interested in making a donation (we respectfully request at least £15) and receiving the soundtrack and book, please send an email to gcswansong@outlook.com. This is available in the UK only due to the high cost of international postage.

Thank you John for your kind support, hard work and generously making unique recordings from the past available to support the future of the Great Central Railway.