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Autumn Diesel Gala

Join us for an action-packed weekend at the GCR Autumn Diesel Gala, in collaboration with the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre! This exciting event features an impressive lineup of both guest and home fleet locomotives, a road real ale festival, and the chance to relive a railway experience that hasn't been seen since 2020.

31108

Class 20 D8001

55019

Featured Guest Locomotives

Class 37 37714

Class 37 D6700

Class 45 D123

Class 50 50017

Class 101 (50266/50203)*

Iris and Class 153s*

Home Fleet Locomotives (*Featuring one day each)

Intensive Timetable

Experience a busy and varied timetable each day, showcasing both guest and home fleet locomotives.

All-Inclusive Tickets

Your Diesel Gala ticket gives you access to all the excitement, including the bus link, real ale festival entry, and the Ruddington train trip.

Road Real Ale Festival

Head over to the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre on Friday and Saturday for a Road Real Ale Festival, offering a selection of locally brewed ales. Your Diesel Gala ticket includes free entry!

Trains from Ruddington to 50 Steps Bridge

For the first time since 2020, trains will operate from Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre to the 50 Steps Bridge. This service will be operated by Class 08 number 08694. When new the Locomotive was first allocated to Annesley Shed, and has recently been named as such. This train service will be departing hourly.

Footplate Passes

Experience what it’s like to operate a diesel locomotive. Ride along on the footplate on a one way trip from our Loughborough Central Station to Leicester North and observe the workings of the locomotive up close. There is only one footplate pass available at each of the times listed, the individual must be aged 18 and old, and they can't be under the influence of alcohol.

Rail Replacement Bus Service

Travel seamlessly between GCR Quorn and Ruddington with our convenient Routemaster Rail Replacement Bus Service, available on Friday and Saturday.

BeerEx Trains

On Friday and Saturday, hop on board our special BeerEx trains featuring an onboard Real Ale and Cider Bar. With one bar located in our luxurious Lounge Car. A range of Real Ales and Ciders will also be available from the Waiting Room at Loughborough during the Gala. Pick up an event programme for more information!

Brake Van Rides

Something new for our Autumn Diesel Gala. An extremely limited number of Brake Van passes will be available on the PCLS Set diagram over the three days of the event. They are available to purchase on the day from Loughborough Booking Office on a first come first serve basis and are priced at £25 per person, per trip. These are a supplements to a rail ticket which can have been either purchased on the day or in advance. Boarding is only possible at Loughborough on the services listed below. Friday and Saturday - 11:10AM, 12:25PM, 2:10PM and 4:00PM Sunday - 11:10AM, 12:30PM and 2:15PM - Individuals must be aged 18 or older. - A 16 or 17 year old may purchase a pass provided they are supervised by a pass holder aged 18 or over. - Pass holders must not be under the influence of alcohol. - Passes are for one full trip, boarding and alighting is only possible at Loughborough Central. - Toilets are not available for this experience.

Parking Arrangements

There is free on street parking is available on streets near the Loughborough Central Station. Parking is available in the Yards at Quorn & Woodhouse Station and Rothley Station. There is limited parking at Leicester North.

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