This weekend Great Central Railway (Nottingham) and Great Central Railway (Loughborough) are holding a joint celebration for the first time at their sites on both Saturday (16th March) and Sunday (17th March) … … as a Rail Replacement Bus Service will reunify the two halves of the historic railway via a service between Ruddington Station (at the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre) and Quorn & Woodhouse Station to allow transport enthusiasts to explore all of their attractions with one inclusive ticket – which will be valid for entry to all sites and…
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This weekend Great Central Railway (Nottingham) and Great Central Railway (Loughborough) are holding a joint celebration for the first time at their sites on both Saturday (16th March) and Sunday (17th March) … … as a Rail Replacement Bus Service will reunify the two halves of the historic railway via a service between Ruddington Station (at the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre) and Quorn & Woodhouse Station to allow transport enthusiasts to explore all of their attractions with one inclusive ticket – which will be valid for entry to all sites and…
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Did you realise that 2024 marks 125 years since the opening of the Great Central Railway ‘London Extension’? That included the two sections of line now preserved by heritage railway groups between Ruddington and Birstall in Leicester – which are soon to be reconnected in Loughborough, if all goes to plan. Meantime this weekend those two groups, Great Central Railway (Nottingham) and Great Central Railway (Loughborough), are holding a joint celebration for the first time, and encouraging visitors to enjoy what’s on offer at their sites. On both Saturday 16th March…
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Residents and businesses in the village are being invited to share our views on a proposal to expand an existing ‘Smoke Control Area’ to cover all of Rushcliffe. Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) is considering revoking its existing Smoke Control Order in West Bridgford and Edwalton and replacing it with a single Smoke Control Order, covering the whole of the Borough, including Ruddington. The authority says its proposed plan is in line with the government’s air quality strategy which seeks to reduce levels of very fine particulates. This is with the…
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Ruddington organisations delivering a project are being reminded they can apply for up to £40k from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), supported by the UK Government. Applications should be made as soon as possible via Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC), which is currently inviting community groups, businesses, voluntary or public sector organisations from our village to apply for the support by the deadline of Friday January 19th, 2024. Projects can cover a broad range of initiatives, and examples include: • Creating and improving local green…
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Managers at Ruddington’s heritage railway centre have issued a trespass warning – after reports that a number of people have been walking along their tracks between here and East Leake. It seems the problem started as villagers sought out longer, ‘socially distanced’ walks when exercise restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak were eased. It also appears to have been exacerbated by an online video blog recommending this activity – for which the blogger has since apologised. It’s clear that she, and others taking to the empty tracks, didn’t…
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The 125 Group has announced that two very special diesel trains will soon be joining the fleet of heritage locomotives here in Ruddington. It’s revealed two former Midland Mainline power cars will be coming to GCRN – Great Central Railway (Nottingham) on a permanent basis thanks to leasing company Porterbrook. Production Inter-City 125 high speed trains 43048 (pictured above) and 43089 owned by Porterbrook (currently operated by East Midlands Railway) will BOTH be handed over at the end of their careers in front line service. They’ll then be based here and begin running passenger trips…
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It’s hoped Ruddington’s famous, restored High Speed Train won’t have to spend another winter out in the cold following a huge boost for The 125 Group’s Depot appeal. RailUK Forums has agreed to donate £4,100.01 – bringing the grand total raised to £78,142.96. That’s over three quarters of the way to their target of £100,000 to build a new all-weather facility at Great Central Railway (Nottingham)‘s Heritage Centre, off Mere Way. As we’ve reported previously, our resident Prototype HST Power Car 41001 and its six Mk3 coaches are currently subject to…
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Ruddington’s Great Central Railway is buzzing with excitement today (Saturday 17th November) as rail enthusiasts from around the country flock here to an event involving not just ONE but TWO unique, restored high speed train powercars. It’s a railtour with a difference as The 125 Group partners with The Branch Line Society and East Midlands Trains (EMT) to take a newly refurbished EMT (ex-Grand Central) six coach HST set from Derby to Ruddington and back again. They’re using the connection off the mainline at Loughborough South Junction to get here.…
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Steam hauled services along the Great Central Railway from Ruddington have again been withdrawn after the embankment fire at East Leake on Sunday. The blaze came only a week after GCRN’s resident steam loco was reinstated on the heritage line between our village and Loughborough. Planned trips using Hunslet 2890 had been suspended since early July due to concerns about the risk of trackside fires during the long, dry heatwave. But after the recent wet and cooler weather, it was thought they could safely be reintroduced. These photos taken soon afterwards by…
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