The two halves of the Great Central Railway – one in Leicestershire, the other in Nottinghamshire – are coming together for a special joint event on the 5th and 6th of April.
The weekend will showcase the progress made on the multimillion-pound project to reconnect the two sections of this historic railway.
Over the weekend, GCR’s fleet of vintage locomotives will run on both the northern and southern halves of the line, with through tickets and a vintage Rail Replacement Bus Service transporting travellers across the ‘missing’ section of track.
Visitors will have the opportunity to hear the latest updates on the project, take a guided tour of the trackbed, and view newly created computer animations illustrating how the final link-up will be achieved.
Admission to all sites, including travel, will be covered under one ticket charge. Child tickets are just £1 with a full paying adult.
Malcolm Holmes, General Manager of the Great Central Railway, said: “We’re working ever more closely with our colleagues at the GCR in Nottinghamshire, holding joint events and sharing volunteers. Work is already underway to rebuild the short section of railway between us, but this special weekend will give everyone a taste of that exciting future right now. You can board a train at Loughborough, experience the line in Leicestershire, then catch a bus to connect with trains at the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre. This project has attracted interest worldwide, and we look forward to welcoming everyone keen to learn more.”
The Great Central Railway, originally opened in 1899, connected Sheffield to London. It was closed in the 1960s, and while two long sections survived as heritage railways, a 500-metre stretch between them was demolished.
Several million pounds have already been raised to restore the track, and key infrastructure works, including the rebuilding of three major bridges, have been completed.
Supporters have raised an additional two and half million pounds to take the project forward, though millions more will be needed to complete the link.
The railway is currently awaiting a planning decision before proceeding with further work, which will include a viaduct to carry trains north from the heritage Loughborough Central station to meet the tracks of the northern section of the line, in the northeast corner of the town.
Andy Fillingham of the Great Central Railway Nottingham said “Before we can physically complete the link, this weekend will showcase the potential of a reunited Great Central Railway. In the heart of the country, we are creating a national centre for railway heritage – a unique legacy for generations to come. We’ll be opening our sheds and highlighting the enormous potential this project has to boost the local tourist economy.”
Across the weekend, visitors will be able to enjoy a variety of attractions at multiple locations along the line. Renowned railway journalist Tom Ingall will be delivering Reunification Talks and those keen to explore the developing connection can join a guided Trackbed Tour, departing from the Loco Shed at 12:00 each day (limited to 20 participants, £20 per person, with proceeds supporting the Reunification project). Thrill-seekers can get hands-on with a locomotive driving experience at Loughborough, available for £20 with advance booking. Footplate visits will be available for a selection of locomotives, including the B1 steam engine, diesel locos, Class 47, and the iconic 9F.
Visitors can also explore the inner workings of the railway with behind-the-scenes Station and Loco Shed Tours. Additional attractions include fire engine and traction engine displays at Rushcliffe Halt and Quorn, photo and archive exhibitions showcasing the history and future of the Great Central Railway, and miniature and model railway in action at Ruddington and Rothley. A range of refreshments will be available at station cafés, tea rooms, and bars, including Quorn’s NAAFI tearoom, Butler Henderson café, and the Tin Shed Real Ale Bar, Rothley’s Ellis Café and station tearoom as well as the newly refurbished café at Ruddington.
For a full list of the weekend’s attractions, or to book your place on the tour or secure earlybird tickets for the Reunification Open Weekend, visit www.gcrailway.co.uk
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