Autumn Steam Gala

Autumn Steam Gala

Experience Four Days of Spectacular Steam Action

It’s full steam ahead for our annual Autumn Steam Gala! Running across four packed days, the Gala features an intensive timetable of passenger, goods and double-headed trains, showcasing both our home fleet and five visiting steam locomotives.

Pre-book and save on your tickets, or purchase on the day from station Booking Offices.

This year’s event celebrates a fascinating variety of locomotives from some of the smallest engines in operation to larger and more powerful steam locomotives. You’ll have the opportunity to see an incredible contrast of railway engineering from across different eras and industries.

What to expect at the Autumn Steam Gala? Our four day festival of steam will feature both guest and home-fleet locomotives operating a busy timetable between Loughborough Central and Leicester North. If you love steam, this is the place to be! Ride behind every locomotive, visit our station cafe’s to break your day, or sample the finest real-ales in our pubs, as you experience the Great Central Railway at its steamiest! With beautifully restored stations, on-site museums, behind-the-scenes access, and plenty of food and drink options, it’s a steam-filled celebration for enthusiasts, photographers, families and anyone who loves the sights, sounds and atmosphere of a heritage railway.

Whilst every effort will be made to maintain services, we do not guarantee that trains will arrive/depart at the times stated. We reserve the right to alter or suspend any train without notice. No liability for any loss, inconvenience or delay can be accepted. Locomotives appear subject to availability.

Guest Locomotives

No. 1589

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Hunslet 0-6-0ST No. 1589 'Newstead'

Appearing with thanks to North Norfolk Railway and Steam Rescue Ltd. Newstead was built in 1929 by the Hunslet Engine Company to work in the coal mining industry. For over 40 years, Newstead remained forgotten, hidden behind poplar trees, until it was rescued and restored.

No. 813

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GWR Saddle Tank 813

Appearing with thanks to Severn Valley Railway and the GWR 813 Preservation Fund, GWR Saddle Tank No. 813 was built by Hudswell Clarke in 1900 for the Port Talbot Railway, 813 is renowned as one of the smallest loco on the SVR.

No. 9681

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GWR Pannier Tank 9681

Appearing with thanks to the Dean Forest Locomotive Group, GWR Pannier Tank No. 9681 was built at Swindon in 1949 and spent most of its BR service in Wales, working at various locations including Tondu, Aberbeeg, Barry and Cardiff, before being withdrawn in July 1965.

GCR Home Fleet

No. 68067

Type

Saddle tank

Designer

Hudswell Clarke

Configuration

0-6-0

No. 73156

Type

BR Standard 5MT

Designer

R. A. Riddles

Configuration

4-6-0

Attractions include

Intensive passenger and freight timetable

Our intensive gala timetable maximises the amount of steam in action, combining frequent passenger services with freight operations. Expect varied locomotive workings, double-headers, plenty of train movements and a railway alive with activity from morning until evening.

windcutter freight train

Two 'Windcutter' freight trains

A gala first: two Windcutter freight rakes will be in use during the event, recreating the heavy mineral train operations for which these iconic wagons became famous and providing an unprecedented level of freight activity.
brake van

Brake Van Rides

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, you can enjoy the unique experience of travelling on a goods train and passing other services on our double track – something to behold! The journey will take you from Quorn and Woodhouse Station to Rothley Brook, before returning you to Quorn and Woodhouse Station. The train will enter Swithland Sidings to be passed by another train too. Additional £15 charge applies. Tickets can be bought on the day at Quorn & Woodhouse Station.

Evening services

Keep the steam gala going into the evening on Friday with a special programme of services after dark. Enjoy the atmosphere of steam trains at sunset, alongside the popular Beer Ex, 6.00pm from Loughborough.

Refreshments & Catering

Loughborough Central: BBQ and Refreshment Room

Quorn & Woodhouse: Butler Henderson café, serving a selection of hot and cold food, as well as light refreshments. Plus, our Tin Shed Bar (by the marquee), offering a range of cask ales and ciders; also, tea, coffee, soft drinks, filled rolls and light refreshments. Open from 9:30 am daily.

Rothley and Leicester North: Platform Tearoom

On-train: Griddle Car, serving up freshly prepared hot and cold food, including an all day breakfast. Refreshment Car, hand-pulled ales, ciders and other beverages and snacks.

Loughborough Shed Tours

Go behind the scenes with guided tours of the locomotive shed at Loughborough on Saturday and Sunday between 10.30am and 3.30pm. Discover where the railway’s steam locomotives are maintained, learn about ongoing restoration projects, and gain a fascinating insight into the work that keeps heritage steam operating throughout the year.

Vintage Bus Services

With thanks to Leicester Transport Heritage Trust we are offering FREE Shuttle Buses on Friday and Saturday from 8.30am between Loughborough EMR station and Lovatt House, Loughborough Station. Plan your journey with the timetable here.

'Ann' at Loughborough Central

Get up close to Sentinel ‘Ann’ as she provides passenger rides around Loughborough Station on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Travel in the elegant inspection saloon and enjoy a unique perspective on one of the gala’s most unusual attractions. ‘Ann’ will haul two special services to Quorn & Woodhouse on the Saturday evening, top ‘n’ tailed with another visiting locomotive and some carriages.

Trackbed Tours

Learn all about Reunification’s progress on Saturday and Sunday during the gala with exclusive guided tours of the Trackbed. Find out about the plans for the reunification project with Tom Ingall and Ken Simms. Plus, new this time round, the tour will be longer and include a visit to the Preci Spark car park, so you can see where the Factory Flyover will be built!

A ÂŁ20 supplement can be paid at the Friends stand at Loughborough Central Station, Platform 1, with all proceeds helping directly fund the Reunification project. Sensible shoes are required, and the tours are weather-dependent.

Newstead

What's Running When?

Thursday:

  • 813, 16440, 9681

Friday, Saturday, Sunday:

  • ‘Ann’, ‘Newstead’, 813, 9681, 16440, 68067, 73156, D9525, DMU, (‘Iris’ or Class 101)

Parking & Platform Tickets

Loughborough Central Station-

  • Free On Street Parking Available
  • Loughborough Overflow Car Park- ÂŁ5 to pay at the Loughborough Booking Office

Quorn & Woodhouse Station-

  • Quorn Field (Friday, Saturday & Sunday)
  • Quorn Station Car Park- Limited Spaces Available

Rothley Station

  • Rothley Station- Limited Spaces Available

Leicester North

  • Limited Parking Outside Station

Platform Tickets

  • Loughborough Central, ÂŁ11 per person
  • Other stations, ÂŁ7 per person

Ticket Information

When purchasing a runabout ticket, you will have access to travel on all our standard passenger trains throughout the day, allowing you to hop on and off to explore all our historic stations.

Autumn Steam Gala

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Loughborough Central

Leicester North

Rothley Station

Quorn & Woodhouse