Join the Great Central Railway for its award-winning Railways at Work Gala from 10-11 August and travel back in time to 1966, a pivotal year in British railway history and one of great political, social and cultural significance in Great Britain.

'1966 – A New Era' explores the transformative period of British Rail as it began to reinvent its image. Building upon the success of last year's HRA award-winning 1963 Beeching event, this year's gala will delve into the impact of Dr Beeching's reshaping plan and the modernisation of the railway system.

Take a vintage train back to the time when Harold Wilson’s Labour Party won a decisive victory in the general election, a trade deficit and inflation brought with it a wage freeze, The Beatles topped the charts and England had the nation cheering them on in the finals of the FIFA World Cup. Visitors will have the chance to experience the sights, sounds and atmosphere of a busy mainline railway in 1960s Britain with dozens of railway re-enactors, vintage trains and vehicles to help recreate the scene at the station in a year that’s truly gone down in history.

What’s more, across the summer holidays, Great Central Railway, is offering its popular ‘Kids for a Quid’ offer all weekend which sees up to three children travel for just £1 each with each adult ticket purchased making it great value for all the family.

Visitors can expect to see reenactments of how a busy mainline railway got the nation’s goods moving with uniformed porters at the stations ensuring the right goods get to the right destinations, allowing you to experience 'special deliveries' 1960s style, along with a few more characters that you may have found making use of the mainline railway, highlighting events of the period.

Several steam and diesel locomotives will be in action over the weekend hauling the freight trains and the Great Central’s regular service of heritage passenger trains too so come along and watch the show unfold.

Full timetable details and fares can be found at https://www.gcrailway.co.uk/special-events/railways-at-work-gala/