Railway Opening Weekend Q and A

If you have any questions regarding the Mountsorrel Railway Opening on October 24th/25th take a look below. If your question is not answered then please get in touch through comments.2016@heritage-centre.co.uk or you can leave a comment on our Facebook event at https://www.facebook.com/events/1464944480478498/ and we will endeavour to answer them.

When and where will the line be opened?
The official opening will be performed at around 11:30 (to be confirmed) by Lord Faulkner, President of the Heritage Railway Association, at Bond Lane Mountsorrel. The first train of the day is reserved for invited VIPs and other dignitaries.
How much will tickets cost?
Adults £5, Children (aged 2 to 15 inclusive) £3. This is for a return journey on one of the trains, and is not for a day pass. Ticket holders are also invited to a short tour of the Heritage Centre site.
Can I travel at reduced rate using my GCR Friends or other pass, or, as a GCR working member, can I travel for free?
Sorry no. Apart from VIPs and invited guests all travellers must purchase tickets from the GCR.
Where can I get tickets?
Tickets can be obtained on-line from the , and are for a specific train time. Advance booking is strongly recommended as capacity is very limited and we are anticipating a lot of interest in the event. Tickets are not available from any of the main GCR booking offices at Loughborough, Quorn, Rothley or Leicester. If you wish to purchase tickets on the day please bring cash as cards will not be accepted; please purchase your ticket via a ticket inspector. Advance ticket holders will take priority. Please arrive no later than 10 minutes prior to your departure. Late arrivals can only be accommodated on later trains if space permits.
How many trains will operate?
This is a single track line and only a single train will operate.

… and the locos and coaches?
The GCR are bringing two locos in for the event. 0-4-0 Pecket “Teddy” http://locoyard.com/2013/08/10/teddy-the-peckett/ named after the rev Teddy Boston of the Cabeby Light Railway fame (Teddy is also very similar to Pecket “Doris” that used to operate at Mountsorrel) and, replacing “Colin McAndrew”, which has been withdrawn due to a mechanical fault, LNER Y7 from the Middleton Railway. Both are fantastic little locos and it is wonderful that they will be here to make history with us!

Also arrived, especially for the opening, is a newly restored suburban coach. The coach belongs to Alan Voase who has spent £100,000 on a complete refurbishment over the past 10 years. The coach is effectively brand new and we are so lucky and grateful that he has made the coach available for use on the branch line. The other coach in the train is the GCR’s Arrowvale observation car. This is a small coach with seating areas at both ends.

Please note that locomotives and timings are subject to change and the GCR reserves the right to cancel or amend any attraction or service.

Can wheelchair users get on the train?
Disabled access to the train is possible in the guards compartment as this has double doors wide enough to accept a wheel chair. The guard’s compartment isn’t large, so we ask that wheel chair passengers contact us in advance to let us know what train they plan to catch so we can ensure that there is enough room.
How often will trains run?
Public trains will depart Mountsorrel Station, Bond lane at:
Saturday – 12:30, 13:10, 13:50, 14:30 and 15:10.
Sunday – 09:30, 10:10, 10:50, 11:30, 12:30, 13:10, 13:50, 14:30, 15:10 and 15:45.

Please bear in mind that this is the first time passenger trains have run on the branch so they may not run as scheduled.

Where will they run?
Trains will start and finish at Mountsorrel Station. The train will run to Swithland sidings where it will halt and return. The total journey time will be around 25 to 30 minutes.
Can I get off the train at any other platform?
Sorry no. The only platform in use on the day will be at Bond Lane, Mountsorrel.
Where will Refreshments be available?
The GCR are providing a catering van at Mountsorrel Station, Bond Lane.
.. and toilets?
Portaloos will be provided at Mountsorrel Station, however there are no disabled toilets on site.
Where is Mountsorrel Station?
Directions including a map can be found at http://heritage-centre.co.uk/visit-us/how-to-find-us/.
How can people using public transport get there?
No buses pass directly past the Heritage Centre or Mountsorrel Station. Arriva buses 126 and 127, and the Paul S Winson X27 service, stop on Loughborough Road, Mountsorrel near to Bond Lane. Mountsorrel station is approximately a ½mile / 800m walk up Bond Lane.
Where can I park?
There is limited parking at Bond Lane, Mountsorrel where priority will be given to disabled passengers and those with mobility issues. Stonehurst Farm have very kindly agreed to allow the use of the corner of their field directly next to the station for overflow parking (access from the junction of Bond Land and Swithland Lane). This should ease the parking situation over what we hope will be a very busy weekend. If you are coming as a part of a group please try to car share. If you are local and able to walk/cycle to the station then please do.

Further parking will also be available at the Mountsorrel and Rothley Community Heritage Centre on Swithland Lane, a 400m walk from Mountsorrel Station. Get directions to the station or the Heritage Centre

If you have booked your tickets in advance please arrive at least 20 minutes before your departure time, in case the station car parks are full and you need to allow time to walk from the heritage centre car park.

Will the Nunckley Trail be open?
No.
How do I book my tour around the New Heritage Centre?
15 minute duration tours will run at the heritage centre site on Swithland Lane, every 15 minutes through the day. Note that the tours are only available to those with a train ticket for the Mountsorrel Railway, so please don’t discard your tickets when you leave the train.
Please note that areas of the site will still be under construction, therefore ground conditions may be uneven and unclean in places, so please wear appropriate foot wear.
Can I help advertise the event?
We have two posters that you can download, print and display. We have an A3 poster and an A4 Poster. Each file is around 6MB in size.

Looking to the future

Who controls the branch line?
The branch line belongs to, and is run by the Great Central Railway. They will operate the trains, decide what type of trains to run and whether they run through to the GCR.
Will the line only be a shuttle service?
No. In the future, it is hoped to run occasional trains from Bond Lane Mountsorrel, via Nunckley Hill, on to the Great Central Railway.
When will trains run after the opening weekend?
There will be no further trains on the line in 2015. The frequency of trains in the future will depend upon the popularity of the line. This is why it is important for everyone to show their support over the opening weekend.
Will there be a charge to use the Heritage Centre?
The Heritage Centre, tea room, trail and other facilities will be free to enter. We expect these attractions to open early in 2016. We may charge for special events, and a fee will be payable to catch the train.
How is the Heritage Centre Funded?
Construction of the Heritage Centre has been mostly funded thanks to Lafarge Tarmac who are providing the land required for the project, materials at prime cost, as well as a grant of £540,000 through their Landfill Tax Communities Fund. However the running and maintenance costs of the centre, museum and other attractions within Nunckley quarry will be funded entirely from income from the tea room.