Loughborough Central
The headquarters of the GCR
Loughborough Central station is the busy headquarters of our railway. Opened in 1899, it was a large station for what was a comparatively small town on the Great Central Railway’s new line to London. There was a goods yard, office and even a hotel. Today the station is restored to reflect the style of the 1950s.
You enter through a wooden panelled booking hall with ticket office and a Visitor Centre where a short film and displays will help you start your visit
To reach the platforms, descend the wide stairway arcade (a new passenger lift was installed by the Booking Office in 2009 and every room now has ramped access, so it is fully accessible). On the staircase, look out for the wooden ramp which was once used to slide parcels down. The platform is “island style” – between the two sets of running lines, meaning only one set of buildings is needed to serve two platform faces.
The station is protected from the British weather by a beautiful glass, metal and wood canopy. This canopy was the subject of a major restoration between 2010 and 2013. There is a Shop, Refreshment Room, a fantastic Museum and an Emporium selling second hand “railwayana”, “bric-a-brac”, books and magazines.
There are two waiting rooms, one which is called the Ladies Waiting Room and contains toilets and a General Waiting Room with a wonderful display of 1950s posters. There is a wheelchair accessible toilet which also has a baby change. At the end of the platform is the Gents toilet.
Loughborough is a great station to visit because of its rich history. It has appeared in several films and starred many well-known Hollywood stars such as Sir Anthony Hopkins and Nicole Kidman. As the operational headquarters of today’s GCR, you’ll often see trains waiting their next turn of duty. Follow the path off the end of the platform to reach the water tower where engines take on water – you can get a close-up view but watch out for the splash! Here you will also find a picnic area, a lovely place to have your lunch and see the trains come into the platform. A little further is the Locomotive Shed and Signal Box.
If you are breaking your journey at Loughborough, the town centre is around ten minutes’ walk away, with a good range of shops, a Saturday market and a park with historic bell tower. There are other great museums including the Bell Foundry, which is close to the railway.
Discover & Dine
Key facts
Construction Date
Opened with the line extension of 1899
Time Period for Station
Takes you back to the days of British Railways in the 1950s
Platforms
Two platforms at a length of 400ft (120m) long
Must sees
Entering the station from the Road
Discover the handsome panelled Booking Hall
Want to know more about the GCR?
The museum on platform one is for you.
Loco’s your thing?
Take a walk down to our engine shed
Platform Buffet
The buffet at Loughborough Central serves hot and cold meals, light refreshments and is also licensed.
GCR Shop
Our shop at Loughborough Central is open when trains are running (usually closing after the departure of the last train of the day). It has souvenirs, sweets, books and ice creams. If you like keeping up to date with the current railway scene, we have the latest editions of popular magazines.
GCR Museum
With over 500 objects on display altogether, the GCR Museum is not to be missed. Situated at the south end of the platform, next to the lift entrance, it displays a wide range of small objects relating to the railway, together with pictures and photos. There’s also a film which runs throughout the day, telling the story of the railway from its earliest days, closure and revival today.
The Emporium
Railway enthusiast or not, the emporium is for you. Who knows what goodies you’ll find in our treasure trove of books, magazines, railwayana, models and bric-a-brac?
Call in, have a look and a chat with our friendly volunteer team.
The Loco Shed
The Locomotive Shed at Loughborough Central is situated north of the station and just north of the Empress Road Bridge. It is accessed via a path off the north end of the platform past the signal box and under the bridge.
The shed is the base for all the restoration, repair, maintenance and preparation for running of all the locomotives, both steam and diesel, on the railway. All manner of work is carried out there. Many locomotives have been restored from scrap yard condition. Some belong to the National collection and are on loan from the National Railway Museum in York.
Signal Box
The signal box at Loughborough Central is situated next to Empress Road bridge. Originally Loughborough was provided with two boxes but in the 1930s one was removed and control was concentrated in the building you see today.
When the railway was closed the box became derelict. Not only were the bricks and mortar repaired, but all the heritage equipment rescued and installed to control trains. The box is also the only original GCR London Extension box and is a Grade II listed building.
Visiting the Station
- Great Central Rd, Loughborough LE11 1RW
- Everyday from 10:00 - 16:00
- On street parking only
- Via lift from ticket office
- Wifi found on the platform refreshment room
