A New Website for the Great Central Railway
Great Central Railway is delighted to announce the launch of its brand-new website, designed to offer a cleaner, more intuitive user experience while celebrating the legacy of Britain’s only double track, main line heritage railway.
Drawing design inspiration from the golden age of railway tourism and the classic railway posters of the 20th century, the site offers a refreshed, streamlined experience for visitors, supporters, and railway enthusiasts alike and is part of a wider brand refresh that the unique heritage railway has been undertaking throughout 2025.
Showcasing stunning photography contributed by the railway’s own volunteers, the site offers an improved booking process for tickets, events, and experiences. It also features in-depth information about the railway’s remarkable history, including its impressive home fleet of heritage steam and diesel locomotives.
Visitors can now more easily explore the wide range of activities available at Great Central Railway — from hands-on “Drive a Train” adventures to First Class Dining experiences like the popular Murder Mystery Specials, guided tours, and family-focused events that continue to make the railway one of Leicestershire’s most beloved attractions.
More than just a digital upgrade, the launch coincides with a new era of education and storytelling across the railway. A new Welcome Centre at Loughborough Station now features curated storytelling boards that chart the railway’s history and importance, and new interpretive panels in the Loughborough Engine Shed further enhance guided tours by offering a closer look at the workings of steam.
In a further nod to railway heritage, a series of collectible, historically inspired handbills and loco information boards — designed in period style — have been introduced to help bring the stories of the line to life. The railway has also launched a new Explorer Ticket, complete with a treasure hunt style activity pack, designed to encourage children and families to explore the site while learning about railway history in a fun and interactive way.
The new website also makes it easier than ever to support the railway’s preservation efforts. Whether through volunteering, donating, or getting involved in long-term plans like the Reunification Project — which aims to reconnect the two halves of the Great Central Railway to create an 18-mile heritage line stretching from Leicester North to Ruddington — supporters can now access all the information they need in one place.
“We are incredibly proud to launch this new website as a gateway to everything Great Central Railway has to offer,” said Malcolm Holmes, General Manager at Great Central Railway. “It represents a major step forward in our digital presence but also symbolises our commitment to honouring the past whilst building an even more exciting future for generations to come.”
The new website can be viewed at https://www.gcrailway.co.uk