Great Central Railway Secures £250,000 Heritage Fund Grant to Power Next Chapter of Innovation

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 organisation.

Image Credit: John Bagshaw

A significant element of the funding will be dedicated to volunteers – the lifeblood of the railway. Investment will support the recruitment of a Volunteer Ambassador role, alongside improvements to induction and training, stronger support arrangements, and outreach work with schools and underrepresented communities. The aim is to make volunteering at the Great Central Railway an even more rewarding experience while helping to attract and retain the people who keep Britain’s only double-track main line heritage railway running.

The grant will also support the development of future visitor experiences, with pilot projects linked to the railway’s long-term vision as Britain’s Living Railway. These initiatives will explore new ways of bringing the railway’s rich stories to life, with early concepts including enhanced interpretation, immersive living history experiences, and the use of heritage buses to encourage visitors to discover more of the railway and the surrounding area during their visit.

In addition, funding has been secured to develop an Environmental Sustainability Plan. This work will help the railway better understand its environmental impact and identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve energy efficiency, and support biodiversity across the estate.

This successful bid also strengthens the railway’s ability to pursue larger strategic heritage projects in future, including those connected to Reunification and the continued long-term development of the line.

The achievement reflects the dedication and commitment shown across the organisation by its staff and volunteers. From operating trains and maintaining infrastructure to restoring locomotives and rolling stock, supporting administration, serving customers and representing the railway to the public, the collective effort of the Great Central Railway team has played a central role in securing this significant investment.

Work on the funded projects will begin in the coming months, with further updates to be shared as each initiative progresses.

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Press release via FU Media - Fraser Urquhart