Great Central Railway

Great Central Railway Step back in time to the golden age of travel at GCR! 🚂 We’re a heritage railway and award-winning tourist attraction.
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Open all year round, visit us for our Running Days, Dining or Drive a Train experiences - all in the heart of the East Midlands. The official Great Central Railway page - accept no substitutes! Voted number 12 on the list of the 50 greatest railway journeys in the world the Great Central Railway is the UK's only double track, main line heritage railway. It’s the only place in the world wh

ere full size steam engines can be seen passing each other – just as it was when steam ruled the rails. Trains run every weekend of the year, bank holidays and selected week days through the summer. In addition, First Class Restaurant Car Services provide 5 course meals, whilst travelling between Loughborough and Leicester. For a very special night out, step aboard the Great Central Pullman and return to an age of luxury and glamour, the quintessential orient express experience. Childhood dreams can come true with a Drive a Train Experience. We also run many family events, including Bonfire Night, Wartime Weekend and Santa Specials

Tomorrow Marks the Start of Our Autumn Diesel Gala!The diesel event of the year is nearly here as we kick-start our Autu...
02/09/2026

Tomorrow Marks the Start of Our Autumn Diesel Gala!

The diesel event of the year is nearly here as we kick-start our Autumn Diesel Gala for an action-packed weekend with an impressive range of traction! Our home fleet will be joined by visiting guest locomotives following an intensive timetable, evening services, brake van and cab rides, trade stands and a special evening photo charter!

Catch your favourite diesel locomotives including:
• Class 14 D9525- Guest
• Class 20 20227- Guest
• Class 33 – 33103- Guest
• Class 55 D9015- Guest
• Class 101 DMU
• Class 153
• Class 37 – 37714
• Class 33 – D6535
• 79900 Iris

Join us for the highlight in any diesel enthusiast’s calendar and a great day out for families!

🎟️Get your tickets on our website at gcrailway.co.uk/visit/events/20260903-autumn-diesel-gala/

📸Image Credit: Clive Hanley

Planning your trip for the Diesel Gala this weekend? 🚂Why not make a stop at Rothley and visit Ellis’ Café & Gift Shop, ...
01/09/2026

Planning your trip for the Diesel Gala this weekend? 🚂

Why not make a stop at Rothley and visit Ellis’ Café & Gift Shop, open Saturday and Sunday from 11:00–15:00.

Grab a freshly made barista coffee, powered by 200 Degrees, or pick up something tasty to keep you fuelled for your day:

🥓 Hot Bacon Butties
🌭 Sausage Butties
🍔 Cheeseburgers

Take a break from the trains, have a browse around the shop, and grab a bite to enjoy on your journey.

We look forward to seeing you at Rothley! ☕️🍔

Lazy Sundays with a Perfect Pour!🍻Take a break from the chaos of the weekend chores by coming along to our Beer, Cider &...
01/09/2026

Lazy Sundays with a Perfect Pour!🍻

Take a break from the chaos of the weekend chores by coming along to our Beer, Cider & Gin Festival on the 17-20 September!

The final day of our annual beer fest will be the perfect way to end your week with a cold pint or beverage as you ‘cheers’ to a week’s work well done! Soak in the atmosphere of each of our beautifully preserved stations with the whistles and horns of the locomotives around you; there is no better way to spend a lazy Sunday.🚂

🎟️For the full events list and runabout tickets, visit our website at www.gcrailway.co.uk/visit/events/20260917-beer-cider-gin-festival/

Journey Along the Mountsorrel Branch Line🛤️During our Autumn Diesel Gala on 3-6 September, you can take trips along the ...
31/08/2026

Journey Along the Mountsorrel Branch Line🛤️

During our Autumn Diesel Gala on 3-6 September, you can take trips along the Mountsorrel Branch Line, hauled by visiting diesel locomotives D9525 and 20227!
Iris, the railcar, will be running on the Thursday and Sunday of the gala, whilst 20227 & D9525, top and tail, will be running on the Friday and Saturday.

✨Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience diesel services running along our charming branch line throughout the gala.

🎟️Get your tickets on our website at gcrailway.co.uk/visit/events/20260903-autumn-diesel-gala/

What better way to round of a weekend of fine beers and ales than a traditional Sunday Roast on our First-Class Dining T...
31/08/2026

What better way to round of a weekend of fine beers and ales than a traditional Sunday Roast on our First-Class Dining Train?🚂

Step aboard The Elizabethan and enjoy a traditional British Sunday roast with all the trimmings, starting with a seasonal soup and finished with an indulgent dessert of your choice.
Relax in the comfort of our beautifully restored, vintage carriages whilst taking in the Charnwood scenery on the 20th September, whether you're celebrating an occasion or simply looking for a special way to spend a Sunday.🍽️

It's the best ending to our Beer Festival- and you've still got time for a pint or two at the end!

🎟️Book your relaxed Sunday First Class Dining Experience here www.gcrailway.co.uk/visit/dining/gcrfd-the-elizabethan/

Show Your Love for GCR!You can now vote for the Great Central Railway to be shortlisted for the 2026 Leicestershire Tour...
29/08/2026

Show Your Love for GCR!

You can now vote for the Great Central Railway to be shortlisted for the 2026 Leicestershire Tourism and Hospitality Awards in the Best Day Out category!

Thanks to your fantastic support, we won the award in 2025, and we’d love your help to do it again!🏆

If you love visiting us and would like to show your support for the dedicated volunteers and staff who work so hard to give all visitors a unique day out at our beautifully restored and preserved heritage railway, vote now on the Go Leicestershire website! 💛

Vote for the Great Central Railway at https://www.goleicestershire.com/vote

Get Your Brake Van Ride and Cab Ride Tickets!Don’t miss out on getting a front-row seat with our Brake Van Rides featuri...
28/08/2026

Get Your Brake Van Ride and Cab Ride Tickets!

Don’t miss out on getting a front-row seat with our Brake Van Rides featuring the Windcutter Goods Wagons and Cab Rides with your favourite diesel traction- the perfect add-on to complete your Autumn Diesel Gala weekend.

With only … tickets remaining for Brake Van Rides and … tickets remaining for Cab Rides, spaces are limited and you’ll need to be quick!

🎟️Make this diesel gala on 3-6 September an unforgettable one by booking your place here gcrailway.co.uk/visit/events/20260903-autumn-diesel-gala/

Guards 3-Month Keepsake T-Shirt Reveal!Want to get even closer to the Great Central Railway? Our Patreon membership give...
28/08/2026

Guards 3-Month Keepsake T-Shirt Reveal!

Want to get even closer to the Great Central Railway? Our Patreon membership gives you exclusive perks, behind-the-scenes content and the chance to support the future of our railway.

And for our Guard members, there’s an extra special thank you…

After 3 months of Guard membership, you’ll receive an exclusive Patreon-only commemorative T-shirt! 👕❤️

We’re excited to finally reveal the design and hope you love it as much as we do!

Your Patreon support helps the Great Central Railway continue to preserve, develop and share our railway heritage for generations to come. Every membership makes a difference.

Already a Guard member? Keep an eye on your Patreon inbox! 👀📩 We’ll be sending you a message shortly to confirm your T-shirt size and whether you’d like to collect it or have it posted to you.

Not a member yet? Join our Patreon community and become part of the team helping to keep the railway moving here www.patreon.com/cw/GreatCentralRailway

Just One Week Until the Annual Autumn Diesel GalaNext week, from 3 to 6 September, gear up for an action-packed weekend ...
27/08/2026

Just One Week Until the Annual Autumn Diesel Gala

Next week, from 3 to 6 September, gear up for an action-packed weekend at our annual Autumn Diesel Gala! Our home fleet will be joined by visiting guest locomotives D9525, 20227, 33103 and D9015, offering the chance to ride behind an impressive range of traction following an intensive timetable.

🎟️Get your tickets on our website at gcrailway.co.uk/visit/events/20260903-autumn-diesel-gala/

📸Image Credit: Isaac Morgan Cox

Introducing Ellis Visitor Centre This Bank Holiday!We’re excited to announce that the former Ellis Tearooms at Rothley S...
27/08/2026

Introducing Ellis Visitor Centre This Bank Holiday!

We’re excited to announce that the former Ellis Tearooms at Rothley Station are reopening this Bank Holiday Weekend as the new Ellis Visitor Centre, alongside the final weekend of our Train Tickets for a Tenner offer!

Browse the gift shop for souvenirs, or refuel at the visitor café, serving bacon and sausage baps, toasties, light bites, and 200 Degrees coffee from 11am–3pm on 29th to 31st August.🥪

Whether you’re here for a train ride, exploring the station or simply stopping for a bite, we can’t wait to welcome you!

Make a day of it this Bank Holiday Weekend and discover the whole railway, with train tickets for just a tenner!

🎟️Get your runabout tickets here www.gcrailway.co.uk/visit/events/20262507-summer-fun-weekend/

Address

Great Central Road
Loughborough
LE111RW

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

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