"Fish & Eclipse" Watch the 2026 Solar Eclipse From a Steam Train in Leicestershire
- Katie Doyle
- Aug 6
- 2 min read
Visitors to Leicestershire can experience the 2026 solar eclipse from a heritage steam train this August, with the Great Central Railway combining an evening of railway nostalgia with one of the most spectacular astronomical events of the decade.
The special Fish & Eclipse experience takes place on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, with the heritage railway inviting passengers to enjoy a traditional fish and chip supper while watching the solar eclipse from the picturesque Leicestershire countryside.
Great Central Railway Solar Eclipse Experience
The special steam train departs from Loughborough Central at 6.45pm, travelling through the Leicestershire countryside towards Swithland Viaduct, overlooking Swithland Reservoir.
The train will stop at the ideal location and time for passengers to experience the solar eclipse, offering a unique vantage point surrounded by the countryside.
During the journey, guests can enjoy a freshly prepared fish and chip supper before settling in to watch the astronomical event.
The combination of a historic steam railway, traditional British food and the 2026 solar eclipse makes the evening a particularly unusual way to experience one of the year's major celestial events.
Heritage Veranda Experience
For an even more exclusive evening, the Great Central Railway is offering a limited Heritage Veranda Experience.
Only 24 guests will have access to the beautifully restored open-ended veranda, providing an elevated viewpoint for watching the eclipse.
The premium ticket includes:
Fish and chip supper
A complimentary glass of fizz
Access to the Heritage Veranda
A unique vantage point for viewing the solar eclipse
Tickets for the standard Fish & Eclipse experience start at £43, including the fish and chip supper. The ticket also allows passengers to travel on all Great Central Railway trains operating that day.
The Heritage Veranda Experience costs £53.
A Historic Steam Railway in Leicestershire
The Great Central Railway is one of Britain's best-known heritage railways and offers visitors the chance to experience mainline steam travel in a historic setting.
The railway was originally opened to passengers in 1899 before becoming part of the London and North Eastern Railway in 1923 and British Rail in 1948. The final trains ran in 1969, after which volunteers began working to preserve the railway.
Today, almost 700 volunteers help operate and develop the Great Central Railway, which runs passenger services, first-class dining trains and special events throughout the year.
Visitors can also experience locomotive driving, while the railway is used by film crews and the wider rail industry for vehicle testing and staff training.
The railway is currently working on Reunification, a multimillion-pound project aiming to reconnect two separate sections of the historic line.
How to Book the Great Central Railway Eclipse Experience
The Fish & Eclipse steam train experience takes place on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, departing Loughborough Central at 6.45pm.
Tickets start from £43, while the limited Heritage Veranda Experience costs £53.
Tickets can be booked through the official Great Central Railway website.
For anyone looking for things to do in Leicestershire in August 2026, the event offers a rare opportunity to combine a heritage steam train journey, traditional fish and chips and a spectacular solar eclipse in one evening.
Find out more here: https://www.gcrailway.co.uk/visit/dining/fish-and-chip-solar-eclipse/
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