However, what I was slightly miffed about is that I found it very difficult to find that information on the website which, to my mind, isn't very user friendly.
I've noticed that information isn't very clear this year. While I tend to visit only on gala days, as a Friend of the Great Central Main Line, I like to keep an eye on what is going on on the railway. They used to put up a calendar showing the running days covering a few months, and the timetable for each running day during these. In fact pre-Covid (before I became a Friend) it seems they used to produce a PDF showing the calendar and timetable for the season (I was looking back on the Web Archive out of interest a few weeks back). Looking at the Timetables & Fares page as I write this, I can only see details of the running days for this weekend, the Bank Holiday weekend and the last weekend in May written as text, with the first two weekends containing links to timetables.
To me, this isn't particularly useful to potential customers as it prevents them from planning a visit to the railway much in advance.
merry, that pattern you have shared is useful but of course few members of the public will view this thread. I don't know whether running days and timetables are being confirmed last minute this year or whether they are already set for the season, but I really think it should be put up on the website for the rest of the year (special events excluded as obviously these have amended timetables) if possible.
It's a shame as I've seen the GCR add some great things recently that seems to be bringing in much needed revenue for the railway (driver for a tenner, chance to ride in the cab of diesel locos, more Mountsorrel branch running, combined event with the GCR(N) etc.) but this, to me, potentially counters all of these great things and could result in a drop in revenue as it may put people off.
The PDF timetables, while providing the required information, don't look as good visually as what was displayed last year either. I understand that some staff have been made redundant to cut costs and so perhaps this is an effect of this, but it is in complete contrast to the booklets that are still produced for the events which have been excellent this year - the diesel gala one a few weeks ago looking particularly good.
If there is someone I should contact with this feedback then let me know and I will get in touch. I visit the GCR several times a year now since first attending back in January 2020 and I would love to provide useful feedback to help them in times where I know heritage railways are struggling.