What are the opening hours?

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

Great Central Railway

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Great Central Railway

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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 where 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

03/11/2026

Watch the Sky Come Alive!🎆🎇

On the 5 November watch our spectacular fireworks display kicking off at 8pm in the Quorn & Woodhouse Station Yard!

The sky will come alive with colour, sparkle and sound for a display you won’t forget.

🎟️Tickets must be pre-booked, go to the link in our bio to book your ticket now!

02/11/2026

Why should steam fans get all the fun?

Say goodbye to 2026 and get some diesel miles in during our Diesel Mileage Weekend on 21 & 22 November! With an intensive weekend timetable starring the GCR diesel home fleet and guest locomotive Class 20, 20227 on the UK's only double-track preserved heritage mainline.🛤️

Also included in your ticket:
• Limited evening services allowing you to see the railway “after hours”
• Expect to see a mix of English Electric and Sulzer locomotives taking to the GCR tracks
• HST Simulator (limited slots available- prebook online!)
• Comfortable travelling with passenger trains heated by the Steam Heat Van
• Explore all four of our beautifully restored period stations
• Rack up plenty of miles with an intensive timetable

All included within our standard fares!🎟️

Whether you’re a diesel enthusiast or want a final chance to experience the Great Central Railway before the festive season, join us for a weekend packed with diesel action!

🔗Find out more and get your tickets on our website using the link in our bio!

01/11/2026

Double-Headed Services!🚂🚂

Don’t miss plenty of double-headed services during our Last Hurrah Gala on 14 & 15 November!

Expected double-header combinations are:
• 48305 + 92134
• 48305 + 6990
• 73156 + 92134
• 68067 + 92134

Don't miss an action-packed timetable, a strong line-up of the home fleet and guest locomotives, and plenty of atmosphere as the railway enjoys one final steam-filled weekend.

🔗Find out more and get your tickets using the link in our bio!

01/11/2026

Just 4 Days To Go Until the GCR Bonfire & Fireworks Night!🎇

Pre-book your tickets for our sell-out Bonfire & Fireworks Night on the 5th November and for a magical evening including all the sights, sounds and smells of a classic bonfire night.

🎟️Tickets will not be sold on the day- tickets must be bought online using the link in our bio!

31/10/2026

Booze, Bonfires and Bites!🍺

Join us on 5 November for our annual Bonfire & Fireworks evening, where you can enjoy all the sights, sounds and colours of a traditional Bonfire Night!

We will have our Tin Shed Bar open in the Marquee, serving a good selection of drinks, including a range of real ale, ciders, l***r and soft drinks- a perfect chance to raise a glass to a magical night ahead!🎇

🔗Advanced tickets only- pre-book your Bonfire & Fireworks Night tickets using the link in our bio.

30/10/2026

Refuel for the Last Hurrah🍳

There’s no excuse not to whet your whistle during The Last Hurrah Gala on the 14 & 15 November, as we will be keeping you refuelled throughout this action-packed weekend!

There will be on-board catering available in our classic Griddle Car, serving hot food, snacks, and drinks on the move, and the Refreshment Car will be offering hand-pulled ales, bar snacks, and refreshments in a classic railway bar setting.
Make sure to offer “Cheers!” to the final gala of the year!☕

Find out more about the Last Hurrah Gala and get your tickets using the link in our bio!🔗

30/10/2026

Travel Behind Guest Locomotive Class 20, 20227!

Join us for our Diesel Mileage Weekend on 21 & 22 November, where guest locomotive Class 20, 20227 will be joining our home fleet diesel engines for the final diesel-powered weekend of 2026!🔎

Sherlock Holmes will be appearing with thanks to the Class 20 Locomotive Society and the Epping and Ongar Railway.

Find out more about the Diesel Mileage Weekend and pre-book your tickets on our website using the link in our bio!

🔗Image by The Quorn Flyer

29/10/2026

Trick or Treat?
🎃 We think this one's definitely a treat...

LMS 8F No. 48305 returns to service this weekend for its first appearance of 2026.🎉

The heavy-freight locomotive will be hauling passenger trains on Saturday and Sunday along our double-track preserved mainline. 🛤️
Come along to help celebrate!

🔗 Get your weekend runabout tickets on our website using the link in our bio!

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

Website

https://linktr.ee/gcrailwayofficial

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