Great Central Railway (Nottingham)

About the museum

The Great Central Railway (Nottingham) runs on part of the former Great Central main line, the last main line built to London, which opened in 1899. Ruddington station opened shortly afterwards and closed to passengers in 1963, and most of the line was closed in the 1960s.

During the Second World War a large ordnance depot was built beside the railway at Ruddington. It later stored military vehicles and closed in the mid-1980s, after which Nottinghamshire County Council took over the site. In 1989 a group of enthusiasts formed the GCR Northern Development Association, and the council leased them part of the land for the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre.

Volunteers spent the 1990s restoring track, buildings and rolling stock. Regular heritage services resumed in 2003, and a new platform opened at Ruddington Fields in 2009. Today the volunteer-run site offers steam and diesel train rides, a heritage bus depot, miniature railways, a model railway and museum displays on Nottingham and East Midlands transport, with a café and gift shop. The railway hopes to reconnect with the Leicestershire section of the line in future.

Highlights

• Steam and heritage diesel train rides from Ruddington
• Heritage bus depot with historic Nottingham buses
• Miniature railways on 5 inch and 7¼ inch gauge
• Museum displays on Nottingham and East Midlands transport
• Free site entry
• Railway Hall events venue in the engine shed

Permanent exhibition

• Nottingham and East Midlands transport heritage – Museum displays of railway memorabilia, signs, objects and photographs, together with a heritage bus depot and workshops across the 25-acre site.

Founded

1989

Operated by

Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre (volunteer-run)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Site entry is always free. Train fares are paid separately and are mostly sold on the day. Group discounts on train tickets are available, and booking in advance is recommended for groups of 10 or more.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The whole site is flat and step-free, the station platform is wheelchair accessible and trains have ramps for wheelchair users. Disabled parking bays are near the entrance and the paths suit pushchairs. Accessible toilets are on site.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Family days and half-term openings include cheap child train fares on selected events, and a miniature railway runs on selected dates. Baby changing facilities are provided and paths are suitable for pushchairs.

Getting there & parking

From Nottingham city centre follow the A60 towards Loughborough and the signs for Ruddington Fields Industrial Estate; the site is about 10 minutes from the centre. Sat nav postcode NG11 6JS.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The café serves hot and cold drinks, light lunches, cakes and snacks; its current hours are posted on the railway's Facebook page. The gift shop sells railway souvenirs, books, prints and models. Visitors can picnic outdoors beside Rushcliffe Country Park. Well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

The Railway Hall, an events venue of about 485 square metres inside the engine shed, is hired for weddings, galas and private dining. Private hire and charter trains are also offered.

Plan your visit