The Great Central Railway (Nottingham) offers over 10 miles of heritage railway running through the beautiful scenery of South Nottinghamshire and North-West Leicestershire.
Journeys begin at Ruddington, just south of Nottingham, and continue through to East Leake and Loughborough. Our facilities at Ruddington include a Model Railway, Miniature Railways, a Bus Collection and railway workshop and engineering facilities, as well as a cafeteria and gift shop. There's plenty to see and do at our Ruddington base, so we aren't just a train ride - be sure to make time to see all our attractions and facilities.
Services are pulled by heritage Steam and Diesel locomotives, re-creating the experience of train travel from a time when it was more than just a means to get from one place to another. The Great Central Railway (Nottingham) is a great experience for all the family. Come and enjoy a day with us!
Fun with trains and buses (Kids go free*)
Special Train Events (Discounts apply)
August Steam Train fun (Kids go free)
Autumn Gala Diesel
Birdwatcher's Brake Van Special
Countryside Ride
Day on the Trains
Diesel Gala
February half-term trains
July Gala Event
Kids go FREE
Santa Special Trains
Wartime Weekend
Show previous events
Special Train Events (Discounts apply) Please find below a list of all the special events we have throughout 2010 at Great Central Railway (Nottingham)
We can safely guarantee that the Nottingham Heritage Transport Centre is not only Nottinghamshire's premier steam railway, but also offers a great day out for all the family.
Feb 13th, 14th, 20th & 21st
Winter Steam - trains to Loughborough Junction
May 9
Spring Vehicle Rally, featuring the Ruddington Road Transport Collection
We have a collection of buses and road vehicles that have been common in and around Nottingham for years, including unique vehicles. Bring-back memories of trips into the city or to school and enjoy rides in our vehicles.
Train Services also operate (Timetable A)
May 15, 16
Spring Classic Diesel Gala
"Rail Ale" and an intensive timetable, showcasing our superb collection of classic Diesels, along with some special visiting locomotives too.
We have one of the best collections of Heritage Diesels in the East Midlands, with most of the locomotives types that were once common throughout the area. If you remember summer trips to "Skeggy", the Cornish Riviera or forays to London, locomotives in our fleet will bring back the memories. Or maybe you remember the vast numbers of coal trains moving locally mined coal from pit to Power Station - we have representative locos from those trains too.
Our Diesel events have proved to be some of the most popular on our calendar. We always have an enviable range of Real-Ales on-train, which can be enjoyed with snacks and light meals.
In 2010 we will debut new arrival "Peak" 46010, and anticipate special visiting locomotives too. Topped-off with an excellent selection of real ales from our on-train catering services, and a diesel-only theme on our small-scale railways, this event will be a "not to be missed" gala.
Reserve the dates in your diary for what promises to be a cracking weekend!
This event runs with a special, intensive timetable.
June 19, 20
Classic Locomotives and Traction Engine Rally
A new event for 2010, featuring our steam and diesel locomotive collections, complete with a Traction Engine Rally at Ruddington.
This event runs with a special, intensive timetable.
July 4
The Great Bus Gathering at Ruddington
Gathering of Heritage buses, offering rides and fun for the family. Visiting vehicles will augment our own classic collection.
Train Services also operate (Timetable A)
August 14, 15
Midsummer "Phoenix" Road Transport Collection rally
featuring road-runs on Saturday (and demonstrations within our Ruddington site on Sunday)
Train Services also operate - Timetable D (Sat) Timetable A (Sun)
August 21, 22
Model Railway Show – Every gauge from Z to Full-Size and trade stands too
2010 will feature the return of our popular model railway show, bigger, better and more than ever before, featuring layouts of a range of scales. Topped-off with the ability to see 1:1 scale full-sized locos on our 10-mile railway, as well as a mix of scales and gauges on our Model Engineers facilities, the event will be a unique opportunity to see trains of almost every size and scale!
If you have a layout that you would like to exhibit, or are a trader who would like a stand at our event, please contact us.
Train Services operate as part of this event (Timetable C)
September 4, 5
Nottingham Society Of Model & Experimental Engineers "Open House" weekend
Come and see an extensive collection of visiting locomotives on our mixed-gauge Model Engineers track, and ride-on trains, always popular with younger members of the family!
Train Services operate as part of this event (Timetable D, Sunday 5th Only)
October 2, 3
Miniature Traction Engine Rally
A weekend hosting scale Traction Engines and extensive operation on the Model Engineers' facilities at Ruddington. The event will feature a special Night Run on Saturday.
Train Services operate as part of this event (Timetable E, Sunday 3rd Only)
October 10
Autumn Classic Road Transport Collection event
Featuring our collection of classic Road Transport vehicles, augmented with visiting vehicles too. Your chance to ride on commercial vehicles once common in and around our area.
Train Services operate as part of this event (Timetable E)
October 23, 24
Autumn Diesel Gala.
Real Ale, intensive timetable and all available classic diesels operating.
Our Autumn event has become increasingly popular for enthusiasts and families alike. Again we feature a selection of real-ales, accompanied with food and snacks both on-train and in our cafeteria. This event will feature the public debut of Class 37 Diesel, 37009 after an extensive restoration.
This event runs with a special, intensive timetable.
October 30, 31
Halloween Weekend, with intensive service operated by both steam and classic diesel locomotives.
Celebrate the witching season with rides through the spectacular autumn colours along our 10-mile railway. Watch-out for witches and goblins though!
This event runs with a special, intensive timetable.
November 6
Bonfire Night fireworks spectacular
Every year our annual Bonfire Night event is more and more popular. New for 2010 will be a train service from East Leake (Rushcliffe Halt), to Ruddington for the fireworks, returning you after the event, and also providing the opportunity for those coming directly to Ruddington to ride services both before and after the firework spectacular - what better opportunity for a glass of mulled wine or hot tea/coffee before or after the fireworks?!
This event runs with a special evening timetable
December 27, 28
NEW: Winter Holiday trains
Another new event for 2010, an opportunity to escape the house, the washing-up and yet another round of turkey sandwiches, our trains will be operating with both classic steam and diesel locomotives enabling you to sample the Nottinghamshire countryside from the comfort of your train. Hopefully the weather will co-operate and blanket the railway in fresh snow.
This event runs with a special timetable
Forthcoming event dates:
Saturday 14 August 2010
Sunday 15 August 2010
Saturday 21 August 2010
Sunday 22 August 2010
Saturday 04 September 2010
Sunday 05 September 2010
Saturday 02 October 2010
Sunday 03 October 2010
Sunday 10 October 2010
Saturday 23 October 2010
Sunday 24 October 2010
Saturday 30 October 2010
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Current reviews for Great Central Railway (Nottingham)
Review title : Steam Train, added by : Bill (03/05/2009)
Event reviewed : Special Train Events (Discounts apply)
"How nice to be able to go back in time and have a cup of tea on a genuine steam train while chugging through the beautiful countryside around Ruddington. A lovely sunny day and a great experience. Heartily recommend for any train lovers."
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Review title : Enjoy, added by : Wayne (26/04/2009)
Event reviewed : Special Train Events (Discounts apply)
"Ruddington’s Transport Heritage centre really is an asset for Nottingham and we should be proud of it! I am nothing to do with the centre but I take my kids every year and it is always a fantastic day out. If you like any sort of trains, from full sized Steam Locomotives to ride-on Miniature ones or model railways get down there!
Well done guys, keep it up!
"
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Review title : Great place, added by : Russell (10/04/2009)
Event reviewed : Fun with trains and buses (Kids go free*)
"What a great place to take the kids, the miniture railway is superb and the staff are really freindly: loved it!"
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Review title : Great fun, added by : Jake (28/03/2009)
Event reviewed : Fun with trains and buses (Kids go free*)
"I had a great time riding the miniture trains and watching the model railway"
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Review title : A Fun day out, added by : Peter (17/11/2008)
Event reviewed : Fun with trains and buses (Kids go free*)
" My little girl and I love this museum and heritage centre.There are full size trains to ride on and small too . not forgetting the model trains ; grandad likes coming so he can tell us all about the old buses "
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Review title : Me and my boy!, added by : Mike (19/05/2008)
Event reviewed : Fun with trains and buses (Kids go free*)
"I took my three year old son over Easter, he had a trip on the miniture railway, operated the Thomas model trains and had a trip on the Steam train. We both loved it!"
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Review title : Great for my young son, added by : Mike (10/05/2008)
Event reviewed : General venue review
"I attended the Heritage centre with my three year old son and we had a fantastic time, he loved the miniture train rides and the actual trip on a steam train but the best bit was actually being able to drive one of the model railways (the Thomas one of course)
