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 Junction to Fifty Steps Bridge (Bridge 300), 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, the Stanford Viaduct over the River Soar 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 — the longest double-track heritage line in Britain.
From north to south — follow the route from Ruddington Fields towards Loughborough
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:
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. Visitors can watch trains passing and see the crossing keeper at work from the nearby public footpath.
There was once a set of sidings here called Asher Lane Exchange Sidings, but these have since been removed. The crossing gives a glimpse of traditional railway working practices still in use today.
Approx. 1 mile from Ruddington FieldsFifty Steps Bridge marks the end of the spur from Ruddington Fields at Ruddington South Junction. Trains reverse from Ruddington Fields down to this point, before continuing southward along the main Great Central line towards Loughborough.
The bridge originally had fifty steps (hence the name), though subsequent modifications have changed that number over the years. Just beyond here lies the site of the original Ruddington station, which closed to passengers in 1963.
Junction point — main Great Central line continues southAfter leaving the junction at Bridge 300, the railway sweeps south through the open farmland and moorland of Gotham Moor. This stretch offers some of the finest views of the Nottinghamshire countryside from the carriage window, with wide skies and rolling fields on either side.
The village of Gotham — famous in folklore as the home of the "Wise Men of Gotham" — lies just to the west of the line. The railway here runs through a shallow cutting as the route begins its gentle descent southward.
Approx. 2–3 miles from Ruddington FieldsHotchley Hill is home to a notable Art Deco LNER signal box which replaced the original GCR structure in the late 1940s. Our Signalling and Telecoms department painstakingly restored it, completing new floor and stove installation in December 2022 — a wonderful example of volunteer craftsmanship.
The nearby British Gypsum works at East Leake was served by freight trains using our line until the early 2020s, making this one of the last locations in Britain where heritage railway and active freight operations ran side by side.
Approx. 4–5 miles from Ruddington FieldsRushcliffe Halt is our southern operational station, 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 acts as the current southern limit of regular passenger operations.
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 — a major milestone in the preservation journey.
Approx. 5 miles from Ruddington FieldsAt 98 yards (90 metres) long, Barnstone Tunnel is the only tunnel on the Great Central Railway (Nottingham). This Victorian engineering structure carries the railway through the Nottinghamshire hillside and requires regular inspection and maintenance by our dedicated volunteers.
Emerging from the tunnel, passengers are rewarded with sweeping views of the Leicestershire countryside as the line begins its approach towards the Stanford Viaduct.
Approx. 6–7 miles from Ruddington FieldsThe Stanford Viaduct is one of the most spectacular engineering features on the entire route, carrying the railway high above the valley of the River Soar on a graceful series of brick arches. The viaduct offers breathtaking views across the Soar Valley and the surrounding Leicestershire countryside.
A key focus of the Reunification project, the restoration and completion of bridgework in this area is central to connecting our railway with the Great Central Railway in Leicestershire. Three major bridge sections have already been completed, with planning consent secured for the remaining work.
Approx. 8 miles from Ruddington FieldsLoughborough Junction marks the southern end of our current operational route, close to where the Great Central Main Line meets the Midland Main Line. Our trains currently terminate at a stop board just north of here, with Network Rail controlling access beyond this point.
This is the crucial connection point for the Reunification project. Once the Stanford Viaduct bridgework is complete, trains will be able to run directly into Loughborough Great Central station and south towards Leicester North — creating the longest double-track heritage railway in Britain.
Southern terminus — ~10 miles from Ruddington FieldsAddress: Ruddington Fields Station, Mere Way, Ruddington, Nottingham, NG11 6JS
By Car: 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 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 across the Stanford Viaduct, 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.
