The Great Central Railway is offering a different experience this month by making a journey that has previously only rarely been possible by taking a trip on the Mountsorrel branch line.
The railway has introduced the new journey as two 125-years-old bridges are being replaced near Quorn and Woodhouse station, which require the temporary closure of the usual ‘main line' route between Loughborough and Leicester. Whilst the bridge works are taking place, heritage trains will depart from Leicester North station, pause at the Edwardian splendour of Rothley, then divert onto the Mountsorrel branch line near Swithland and head to Nunckley Hill visitor centre and museum.
The Mountsorrel branch line was originally built to carry trains loaded with stone from a local quarry, but fell out of use in the 1950s. Volunteers have since relaid the branch as a community project, and have transformed an empty site into a visitor centre that tells the story of the quarrying and railways in the area and other village stories.
Vintage diesel multiple units dating from the 1950s will operate branch line services between Leicester and Mountsorrel. There is a separate admission fee of £1 for adults and 50p for children for anyone wishing to visit the Mountsorrel Heritage Centre.
The Great Central Railway has been voted number 12 on the list of the 50 greatest railway journeys in the world, is the main line heritage railway in the UK with a double track, and is the only place in the world where full-size steam engines can be seen passing each other.
In 2019, the railway celebrated its 50th anniversary in preservation and has around 800 volunteers and a team of permanent staff. The route was originally part of a main line from Sheffield to London. Its eight-mile preserved section between Loughborough and Leicester is fully operational and its stations reflect a different period of the railway's 111-year history.
Trains run every weekend and bank holiday, as well as daily in the summer. Visitors can also enjoy a First Class Restaurant Car Service with a dining experience of up to five courses whilst travelling between Loughborough and Leicester. There are also opportunities to relive childhood dreams with a Drive a Train Experience, as well as enjoying family events such as Santa Specials and a Wartime Weekend.
Great Central Railway Chairman Richard Patching said:“ We're looking forward to offering this treat to our visitors, the contrast between the branch line and our main line is really something. The train slows right down leaving plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and relax.
“As our main line was built in the 1890s we need to keep investing in the railway so we continue to serve the community as a leading attraction and employer. The work will take the whole of March to complete.
“We're relieved we don't have to close entirely, so now is definitely the time to come and see us for this very rare chance to travel from Leicester to Mountsorrel!”
