© GCR
The Great Central Railway’s Award-Winning Railways at Work Gala returns on the 16 -17 August and is set to take visitors on a journey of a working mainline railway through the 1960s.
While previous years have explored themes including Beeching and the 1966 World Cup, in the year in which the rail industry celebrates 200 years since the birth of the modern railway, this year’s gala will explore the decade which brought about the vast amount of change and laid the foundations of the railway today.
Titled “All Change!”, Railways at Work 2025 will take visitors on a dynamic journey through the evolution of the British mainline railway, using each of GCR’s beautifully restored stations to showcase a different aspect of the sweeping changes brought about during the 1960s.
Loughborough Central will explore the passenger journey in 1960-62, looking at a rundown railway in the midst of change in the need for modernisation, Quorn and Woodhouse station will look at the goods story around 1963-64, featuring the popular pick up goods train and crane lifting demonstrations in years surrounding the announcement of the Beeching axe. Expect shunting demonstrations, narrated displays, 60s commercials and a vast array of goods!
Last year’s 1966 theme will be reflected at Rothley with the station looking at a new era for British Rail, a new name, new logos, and a focus on containerisation and Leicester North will be set in 1968-69 giving visitors the opportunity to learn about the end of steam, and the birth of the preservation movement.
At all stations re-enactors will help to enhance the storytelling appropriate to each 60s era, porters will assist passengers with their luggage, policemen will help with enquiries in amongst a plethora of travelling public each with their own stories to tell, around an intensive train timetable with a mix of steam and diesel traction of the 60s.
At Quorn and Woodhouse station the Tin Shed will be open serving real ale, accompanied by the sounds of 1960s DJ Soul Sauce, a popular addition to last year’s event who will be making a return visit and staying on late into Saturday evening where you can have an opportunity to dance into the evening.
Leicestershire’s Great Central Railway, the UK’s only mainline double-track heritage railway, exists today because a group of determined volunteers, back in 1969, following closure by British Railways, wanted the line to be saved to recreate the experience of mainline steam for generations to come. Today, they proudly cherish and develop their legacy as a contemporary visitor attraction to educate, entertain and bring value to our local communities.
Tickets are on sale now, find out more at www.gcrailway.co.uk
