Great Central (Steam) Railway & Grand Union Canal - Day Walk
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The Great Central Railway is the UK's only double track, main line heritage railway. It’s the only place in the world where full size steam engines can be seen passing each other – just as it was when steam ruled the rails.
We plan to arrive by 10am, but the steam train does not go until 11:20am, this will give us enough time to look around the museum before getting on the train. We will be able to get a single ticket from the Loughbrough booking office on the day, priced at £10 each at the time of writing.
We'll be getting on the steam train in time for its departure at 11.20am sharp (£10 one-way. Buy your ticket at Loughborough station on the day).
We’ll travel from Loughborough to Rothley about a 20min ride. The 11.20am train also has the Griddle Car (see food and drink below), which means you could get a late breakfast onboard, if you wish. We will board the train at 11am to give us enough time to order and eat food.
After a jolly good ride on the train, we'll find ourselves in Rothley, where we'll start the 10mile walk back.
The route will take us through Mountsorrell and around Swithland Reservoir, where hopefully we'll see the steam trains in operation from the sidelines (calling all Train Spotters) while heading back towards the Grand Union Canal, for the last leg to bring us back to Loughborough Central Station where we started.
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Image Credits: All images taken by the event co-leader, Lewis, with permission for ODL use.
What to bring
Bring at least the standard summer walking kit consisting of walking boots, backpack with water and lunch!!!
- Walking Boots
- Socks
- Gaiters (optional)
- Walking Shorts/Trousers (not jeans)
- Waterproof Jacket
- Sun Hat
- Suncream
- Rucksack
- Food & Water (at least 3.5 pints / 2 litre)
Food & drink
What better way to start the day than with a hearty Great Central All Day Breakfast, with eggs, bacon, Cumberland sausages, black pudding, fried bread, sauté potatoes and tomatoes, all served aboard a steam train? For breakfast connoisseurs, join me on the griddle car for a feast to set you up for the long walk back.
Other hearty hot meals can be got on the griddle car too - all without the need for an advance reservation.
You’ll find these favorites aboard the griddle car, along with a bar serving beers, wines, spirits and hot drinks.
You will definitely still want to bring a packed lunch to this one, the walk is 10 miles long, and although fairly flat you'll want to keep your energy up. Make sure you bring plenty of re-hydrating fluids to drink too.