Welcome to the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre, home of the Great Central Railway Nottingham — book your tickets online today!
Nearly 10 miles of preserved Great Central Railway heritage through the heart of Nottinghamshire
Our railway operates almost 10 miles of the former Great Central Main Line in Nottinghamshire. The route consists of two main sections: the main line from Loughborough South Junction to Fifty Steps Bridge (and the site of the original Ruddington station), plus a branch line from Fifty Steps Bridge to our headquarters at Ruddington Fields station.
This preserved section of the Great Central represents the northern end of what was once Britain's last mainline railway to London. Built to continental loading gauge and designed for high-speed operation, the line features impressive engineering works including bridges, cuttings, and the 98-yard Barnstone Tunnel.
Today, our heritage trains operate between Ruddington Fields and Rushcliffe Halt, with trains continuing south towards Loughborough. We're working towards reunification with the Great Central Railway in Leicestershire, which will create an 18-mile heritage railway.
From north to south — follow the route from Ruddington Fields towards Leicestershire
Ruddington Fields is the heart of Great Central Railway (Nottingham) and our main operational base. Located on the former Ministry of Defence site next to Rushcliffe Country Park, the station features extensive facilities for both visitors and railway operations.
Visitor Facilities:
Railway Operations:
Additional Attractions:
The gated Asher Lane Crossing sits on a private road which was formerly the MOD depot perimeter road – a reminder of the site's military history. It's a short walk from Rushcliffe Country Park to the crossing, where visitors can watch trains passing and see the crossing keeper at work.
There was once a set of sidings here called Asher Lane Exchange Sidings, but these have since been removed.
Approx. 1 mile from Ruddington FieldsFifty Steps Bridge marks the end of the spur from Ruddington Fields, known as Ruddington South Junction. This is where trains reverse for their onward journey to Loughborough.
The bridge itself originally had fifty steps (hence the name), but subsequent modifications have increased that number over the years. Beyond this point lies the site of the original Ruddington station, which closed to passengers in 1963.
Following reunification, improvements could be made to this area to aid towards eventual reopening of the original Ruddington station site.
Junction point on main lineRushcliffe Halt is one of our operational stations, serving passengers on regular heritage railway services. Built after the original Great Central line opened, this smaller halt provides access to the surrounding countryside and Rushcliffe Country Park.
The station was the initial focus of restoration work by the GCR Northern Development Association in the early days of the heritage railway. Regular passenger services resumed in 2003, marking a significant milestone in the railway's preservation journey.
Approx. 3 miles from Ruddington FieldsAt 98 yards (90 metres) long, Barnstone Tunnel is the only tunnel on the preserved Great Central Railway (Nottingham) line. This Victorian engineering structure carries the railway through the Nottinghamshire countryside and requires regular inspection and maintenance by our dedicated volunteers.
Opened in 1911, East Leake differs from other stations on the London Extension with its two separate platforms. The original station is currently disused and exists only as an island platform with the stairwell of the station's subway bricked up.
The station has been slowly restored and cared for by an increasing group of volunteers from the local area. There are long-term plans to reopen East Leake station to passenger services.
Approx. 4 miles from Ruddington FieldsLocation of the British Gypsum works at East Leake. This site was served by freight trains using our line until the early 2020s, maintaining a working railway alongside our heritage operations.
The Art Deco LNER signal box here replaced the original GCR structure in the late 1940s. Our Signalling and Telecoms department restored it, completing new floor and stove installation in December 2022.
Approx. 5.5 miles from Ruddington FieldsThe southern end of our line, where the Great Central Main Line connects to the Midland Main Line. This junction is crucial for the reunification project, as it provides the physical connection between our railway and the wider network.
Currently, Network Rail controls access from this point, and our operations terminate at a stop board close to the A60 road just north of here.
Southern terminus — ~10 miles from Ruddington FieldsAddress: Ruddington Fields Station, Mere Way, Ruddington, Nottingham, NG11 6JS
By Car: Ruddington Fields is located just off the A60, approximately 5 miles south of Nottingham city centre. Parking is available on site for £3.
By Public Transport: Regular bus services run from Nottingham city centre to Ruddington village. The station is a short walk from the village centre, or you can take the path through Rushcliffe Country Park.
Walking & Cycling: The station is accessible via footpaths through Rushcliffe Country Park, making it a pleasant destination for walkers and cyclists.
Just 500 metres separates our railway from the Great Central Railway in Leicestershire. When that gap is bridged, it creates an 18-mile heritage line from Ruddington to Leicester North — the longest double-track heritage railway in Britain.
Work is already well underway. Three major bridge sections are complete and planning consent has been secured for the remainder.
