The Great Central Railway is celebrating 50 years of preservation

50th Anniversary Celebration Weekend – 17th and 18th June 2023

The former Great Central Railway was closed in 1969 by British Rail. Efforts to reopen the line began immediately with a band of volunteers campaigning to get access to the line.

In 1973, the first trains ran only two miles between Loughborough and Quorn and Woodhouse station. They were hauled by a locomotive from Norwegian State Railways and featured an old wooden carriage.

Since then the operation has grown with trains running to Rothley station and then a new platform at Leicester North. A second line was laid to create a double track railway with heritage signalling. Nowadays carefully restored steam and diesel locomotives run passenger and demonstration freight trains, bringing visitors from all over the world to Leicestershire.

The railway is now operated as a not for profit PLC, with shareholders investing in the line in return for a say in how it’s run. It’s also supported by members of the Friends of the Great Central Main Line and the David Clarke Railway Trust.

To find out more about tickets and the programme visit the Great Central Railway website.