The Great Central Railway Review
DISCLOSURE – THIS EXPERIENCE WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST/S FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW.
Reviewed by Mel Randle
At the weekend we travelled back in time as we had the pleasure of attending 125th anniversary event of The Great Central Railway (GCR) in Leicestershire. The GCR is a heritage railway mainline saved from closure back in 1969 by a group of volunteers who have worked to preserve the railway and trains to ‘educate and entertain’.
Now I’m not even sure I know where to start with this review. I haven’t been to the railway before, I knew we would be seeing some steam trains and I guessed there would be lots of enthusiasts dressed for the part, BUT it way exceeded all expectations and we had the most fabulous day with so much to do, see and learn!
There were approximately six different trains running up and down the double line between Leicester North Station and Loughborough Station, stopping at Rothley and Quorn & Woodhouse Stations. Each platform had activities and displays for adults and children alike, refreshments, facilities, and demonstrations. The Railway runs events throughout the year – check the website for details as the activities put on will not necessarily be the same at every event as we experienced.
We parked at Leicester North and jumped straight on our first train – a steam engine – to Rothley Station. All volunteers were dressed in period costumes from Victorian through to 1940’s and the Second World War. We had an authentic conductor on the train, station ‘staff’ opening the train doors for us (or we could pop our arm out the window and open it ourselves like in the movies!) and the coal blackened face of the train driver leaning out of the engine. Stepping off the train was like stepping into the past or onto a movie set. The toilets, waiting room, ticket office and refreshment booths have all been sympathetically restored evening down to the gas lighting! The planters and station gardens are all meticulously maintained so with spring bulbs in bloom, the whole scene was just idyllic.
Activities at the stations throughout the day included a telecoms exhibition where my 8 year old got to try telephones from the past – quite an eyeopener for a generation who only know mobile phones. It certainly made me feel old! The Carriage and Wagon workshop was open for a chance to have a look at the work behind the scenes and talk to the team, and at Loughborough they were offering shed tours with a guide to see the locomotives being restored. Model railways, a museum and open carriages all added to the entertainment with a backdrop of trains chugging and tooting through the stations.
Refreshments were on offer from tearooms serving beverages in 1940’s China and bunting hanging from the ceiling giving a real wartime feel. Vintage suitcases were stacked on original luggage carts and ‘babies’ were sat in vintage prams.
We filled our day hopping from station to station, soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying the exhibition laid on. We rode a diesel train, an electric autocar (my favourite), and we returned to the car at the end of the day by steam, in a compartment – think Harry Potter meets the 4.15 from Paddington! It was such fun we went home very tired but jubilant!
The adult price for the day was £35 which included unlimited to travel and all activities were included. Extras were food and shopping from the various stalls and gift shops dotted around the stations. Children travelled for £1! Prices will vary throughout the year so do check their website for event information!
I think for what we did on the day the price was absolutely worth it and of course buying tickets supports the railway for future generations. My daughter loved the whole experience and learnt so much about history, something you just wouldn’t get from books! I cannot recommend this highly enough and we will certainly be returning!
Rating: 5/5
Ticket prices and events vary throughout the year so please check out the website – https://www.gcrailway.co.uk/