Round off the season in style at the Last Hurrah Gala, our end-of-year celebration of steam and diesel power. Expect an action-packed timetable, a great line-up of locomotives, and plenty of atmosphere as we bid farewell to another fantastic year on the railway.
This is your last chance to enjoy a big gala before we switch gears and transform the railway into the magical Great Central Santa Express.
Class 27 – D5370
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Class 27 D5370
Class 35 – 7018
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Class 35 ‘Hymek’ No. 7018
Power Output
~300 bhp total from two engines
Engine
Two BUT (AEC or Leyland) 150 bhp each
Max Speed
~70 mph
The famous Windcutters will thunder through with long rakes of wagons, while box van sets show off the railway’s freight heritage.
Watch the spectacle of trains steaming through Quorn & Woodhouse, recreating the drama of the main line.
Big power and plenty of atmosphere, with locomotives paired up at the front.
Griddle Car on Set A – Hot food, snacks, and drinks served on the move.
Refreshment Car on Set B – Hand-pulled ales, bar snacks, and refreshments in a classic railway bar setting.
Tin Shed Bar – Our Tin Shed Bar will be 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.
Butler Henderson Cafe & Ellis Tearooms – Enjoy a range of refreshments including hot and cold food and light refreshments at the GCR’s preserved period cafes
Free heritage shuttle bus: Saturday 15 November only
Leicester Transport Heritage Trust are running a free service on Saturday, from opposite Leicester Main Line station to Leicester North GCR station as follows:
From Stand EG, opposite Leicester Main Line station at:
• 0830, 0915, 1000, 1045
From Leicester North Station approach at:
• 1500, 1545, 1630, 1715 (buses will depart 5 minutes after trains arrive at Leicester North and will wait if GCR trains are running late)
These buses are free to use by anyone – and you may take a full round trip if you wish. Full details in the event programme. The bus expected to be in use is PHA 505G, a Midland Red S22, built in 1968 https://ltht.org.uk/pha-505g/
Every effort is made to operate services as shown, but no liability can be accepted for any alteration or cancellation which may be necessary.
Cross Country are expected to run a normal service to Leicester from Birmingham, Cambridge and Peterborough. East Midlands Railway are running two fast trains an hour to Leicester from London St Pancras on both Saturday and Sunday. Heritage buses will run from Leicester main line station to Leicester North on Saturday only, see below.
Engineering works north of Leicester mean no main line trains (and rail replacement buses) at Loughborough main line station over the weekend. If you are coming from the north, the direct service bus from Nottingham operated by Kinchbus may be of use to you: www.kinchbus.co.uk/services/kinchbus9/timetable
The inspection saloon offers you the opportunity to see the railway through its large scenic windows from the opulence of luxury seating.
A supplement ticket costs £10 and includes a hot drink and cake served at your seat. The supplement ticket is valid for one return trip. A valid travel ticket must be held.
Supplement Tickets can be purchased on the day from the Steward on board the inspection saloon.
The Inspection Saloon will be running on the B set which is highlighted orange on the Last Hurrah timetable.
