At a joint event on Saturday, 5, and Sunday, April 6, the two halves of the Great Central Railway (GCR) will show visitors the progress made towards reconnecting the two sections.

The two halves are in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. During the Reunification Open Weekend, the Great Central Railway’s fleet of vintage locomotives will run on both halves.

Tickets and a vintage Rail Replacement Bus Service will enable visitors to cross the ‘missing’ section of the track to the other half.

Visitors will hear the latest updates on the reconnection project, for which the GCR submitted its planning application last year. Railway journalist Tom Ingall will be delivering Reunification Talks.

In addition, visitors will have the opportunity to take a guided tour of the trackbed, departing from the Loco Shed at 12pm on each day, and to see computer animations that show how the final link-up will be achieved. There will also be a locomotive driving experience at Loughborough. The B1 steam engine, diesel locos, Class 47, and the iconic 9F will be available for footplate visits.

Station and Loco Shed Tours will also feature during the weekend. Fire engines and traction engines will be on display at Rushcliffe Halt and Quorn, and miniature and model railways will be in action at Ruddington and Rothley. Photograph and archive exhibitions will showcase the history and future of the Great Central Railway.

One ticket will cover admission to all sites, including travel, although there are additional charges for some activities. Children will be admitted for one pound each when visiting with a full payng adult.

Several million pounds have already been raised to restore the track, and work has already been completed on rebuilding three major bridges. Supporters have raised a further two and half million pounds, which will be spent on progressing the reunification project forward.

Further work will include a viaduct to carry trains north from the heritage Loughborough Central station to the northeast corner of the town, where it will meet the tracks of the northern section.

More information and tickets are available from the GCR’s website.

“We’re working ever more closely with our colleagues at the GCR in Nottinghamshire, holding joint events and sharing volunteers. Work is already underway to rebuild the short section of railway between us, but this special weekend will give everyone a taste of that exciting future right now. You can board a train at Loughborough, experience the line in Leicestershire, then catch a bus to connect with trains at the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre. This project has attracted interest worldwide, and we look forward to welcoming everyone keen to learn more.”

Malcolm Holmes, General Manager of the Great Central Railway