Trains Return to Nottinghamshire Railway After COVID Hiatus

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, trains will be chugging along a section of the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) in September. The historic line will see services running between Ruddington and the former Great Central Railway main line on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th.

This special event, a joint celebration with the Great Central Railway Diesel Gala in Leicestershire, forms part of the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre's "Road, Rail and Ale" festival. The festival promises a delightful mix of local real ales, vintage buses, and locomotives, creating a captivating experience for transport enthusiasts.

The event marks the culmination of four years of dedicated work by volunteers, including extensive repairs, maintenance, and training. A Class 08 locomotive, aptly named "Annesley" after the original Great Central shed where it was stationed, will haul carriages on an hourly shuttle service between the platform at the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre and 50 Steps Bridge, a site near Asher Lane.

50 Steps Bridge holds historical significance as the junction where trains will eventually rejoin the Great Central Main Line, enabling journeys towards Loughborough once the remaining sections are reconnected.

While the two halves of the Great Central are not yet fully connected, this weekend's event signifies a spirit of collaboration. Enthusiasts attending the diesel gala in Leicestershire can take a vintage bus from Quorn and Woodhouse station to Ruddington, joining the festivities and experiencing the reopening services firsthand.

Tickets for the diesel gala in Leicestershire include entry to the Nottingham festival, the vintage bus service, and a train ride at Ruddington, and can be purchased at www.gcrailway.co.uk. Tickets will also be available at Ruddington Station ticket office, which covers both Leicestershire events. Ruddington Station platform is located at the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre within Ruschliffe Country Park, at NG11 6JS.

Further information about the "Road, Rail and Ale" festival can be found online at www.gcrn.co.uk.

"This is a truly significant milestone for us," stated Andy Fillingham of Great Central Railway (Nottingham). "We're thrilled to be running trains again, not only for the enjoyment of visitors but also for our dedicated team. This will enhance the appeal of the already bustling Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre and serve as a precursor to running trains along the full length of the Great Central Railway in Nottinghamshire. We are immensely grateful to everyone for their unwavering support throughout this lengthy and challenging process."

"As we continue our journey towards unifying the two halves of the Great Central Railway, creating an 18-mile heritage line across the East Midlands, this combined gala is a major stride forward, a testament to the close collaboration between the two lines," Fillingham added.

"After a considerable period, we are delighted to welcome rail passengers back to Ruddington!" he concluded.