A blackened freight steam locomotive stands over the pit at Loughborough engine shed at night, lit by shed lamps, with another locomotive glowing in the dark behind.
Photo: Duncan Harris · CC BY-SA 2.0
Railway Events

Great Central Railway Winter Steam Gala

📅 Date TBC · usually January📍 Great Central Railway, Loughborough Central Station, Great Central Road, LeicestershireLE11 1RW

The Great Central Railway's Winter Steam Gala runs an intensive late January timetable of steam-hauled passenger and freight trains, including Windcutter freight workings, over Britain's only preserved double-track main line. The 2026 gala ran over four days from 22 January and the railway has not yet announced dates for early 2027.

What’s on

  • Intensive steam timetable with home and visiting locomotives
  • Freight and passenger recreations on double track
  • Stations and tearooms open along the line

The next date has not been confirmed by the organiser yet. This event usually runs in January. We check weekly and will publish the date as soon as it is announced.