What Can I Expect

Buy Great Central Railway tickets online! We are offering ‘runabout' tickets for two for this fantastic heritage railway in Leicestershire. That means you can spend all day riding the heritage diesel and steam trains at the GCR.

The Great Central is England's only mainline, double-track heritage railway. Well-known and much-loved by East Midlanders, the railway attracts visitors from all over the country and beyond. It's a great place and filled with nostalgia that is fascinating for all ages, whether you remember the original age of steam or not.

The heyday of the Great Central line from London Marylebone through Leicester and Nottingham to Manchester was the early 1900s. Stations all along the line were bustling with passengers, on ever-faster through services on the latest steam locomotives. But competition from the Midland Railway drove the GCR into decline, with the line finally closing in the late 60s.

Since the 1970s, a team of rail enthusiasts has worked incredibly hard with dedication, determination and passion to preserve and restore the line you will travel on with your tickets.

From the HQ at Loughborough, through Quorn & Woodhouse station in the countryside, over the stunning Swithland Reservoir, through the very atmospheric Rothley station to the terminus at Leicester North Birstall, the whole GCR journey is a delight.

Your tickets are ‘runabouts', which means you can hop on and hop off anywhere and as many times as you like during your day. A stop at Rothley to the miniature railway and the secret little post-room museum at the end of the platform is a must. At Quorn, pop into the NAAFI-style cafe hidden under the stairs for a homemade slice of cake. And at Loughborough you'll spot all the infrastructure from the signal box to the loco sheds.

Our special locals Great Central Railway tip: don't be put off going on colder days - the waiting rooms have roaring log fires and when it gets dark, the Rothley platforms are lit with atmospheric gas lights!

The Great Central Railway runs throughout the year on weekends and during the week outside the winter months. Your Great Central Railway tickets are valid for all scheduled services, not including special events. Shop now for a wonderful day out on the GCR!

When Is It Available

• Passenger trains operate on weekends throughout the year with selected weekdays available during the summer months
• Valid for use on all advertised standard services
• Vouchers are not valid for use on special event days 

Suitable For

• Children aged under 3 travel free
• Under 16s must be accompanied by a participating adult
• Dogs are welcome for a flat fee of £3.00, payable on the day