The Great Central Railway is inviting visitors to enjoy one of Britain's favourite meals while witnessing one of the most remarkable astronomical events of the decade during a special Fish & Eclipse evening on Wednesday 12 August 2026. Departing from Loughborough Central at 6.45pm, the heritage steam train will travel to the spectacular Swithland Viaduct overlooking Swithland Reservoir, where passengers will be perfectly placed to experience the solar eclipse in the beautiful

A historically significant Deltic locomotive will return to public passenger service for the first time in nearly 30 years when Great Central Railway welcomes D9015 Tulyar for a special weekend of diesel action on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August. Image Credit: Jason Cross The event, held in partnership with the Deltic Preservation Society (DPS), will see the iconic locomotive hauling passenger trains along the UK’s only double-track heritage main line, marking a major mileston

11th July - 12th July Join us for a special weekend celebrating the Great Central Railway’s journey towards reunification. Explore both halves of the railway as we look ahead to reconnecting Loughborough and Nottingham, creating an incredible 18-mile heritage railway through the heart of the East Midlands. With one inclusive ticket giving access to all sites, train travel, and our special Heritage Rail Replacement Bus Service, there’s plenty to discover across the railway. Fr

Great Central Railway (GCR) is introducing a new programme of Relaxed Running Days, designed to provide a calmer, more accessible heritage railway experience for visitors with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), sensory sensitivities, anxiety, and other additional needs. Launching on Thursday 18 June, the initiative will take advantage of the railway’s quieter midweek operating days to create a more predictable and supportive environment for visitors and their

The Great Central Railway is saddened to announce the passing of its much-loved Traffic Department cat, Onslaught, who passed peacefully on Wednesday 17 June, surrounded by those who cared for her. For the past 12 years, Onslaught has been a familiar and cherished presence at Loughborough Central station, where she spent much of her time around the Traffic Office. Whether greeting visitors, keeping staff company, finding opportunities to share in a packed lunch, or simply enj

The Great Central Railway has been awarded a £250,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, marking a major milestone for the railway and reflecting the continued strengthening of its long-term relationship with the funder. Thanks to National Lottery players, the grant will support a programme of activity focused on enhancing the railway’s volunteer experience, enriching visits for passengers and visitors, and advancing environmental sustainability across the organis

The Great Central Railway (GCR) has announced the launch of its official Patreon page, offering supporters a new way to contribute to the preservation and development of the historic railway through affordable monthly donations. The initiative responds to a long-standing sentiment among supporters – “If everyone who loved the GCR just gave a small amount each month…” – by providing a simple and accessible platform to do exactly that. Patreon, a widely used online membership

Grab yourself a GI and join us on the dancefloor for a jitterbug and jive, because this May the Great Central Railway is stepping straight back into the 1940s. Returning on 30–31 May 2026, the much-loved 1940s Weekend, A Celebration of Blighty, invites visitors to experience the sights, sounds and spirit of a post wartime Britain. Whats On Across the two-day event, the Great Central Railway’s period stations will be transformed into a tribute to the 1940s, with vintage train