Didcot Railway Centre
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Didcot Railway Centre, located in the town of Didcot in the English county of Oxfordshire, is based around the site of an old engine shed which became redundant due to the nationalisation of the UK railways, as well as the gradual switch from steam to diesel power.
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[edit] Introduction
The Great Western Society was offered the use of the site and took it over in 1967. The society has a comprehensive collection of Great Western Railway (GWR) locomotives and rolling stock. There are two short lengths of running track, each with a station at both ends.
The shorter of the two lengths - the 'branch line' - has a wayside halt-type station named Didcot Halt at one end while at the other end is the transshipment shed dating from broad gauge days, when it was used for transferring goods from broad to narrow gauge rolling stock and vice versa; it has been carefully reconstructed from its original site nearby. This is where the Firefly replica, completed in 2005, can normally be found.
The other length of track has a prefabricated concrete station platform (from Eynsham) at one end next to the entrance, and a newly built platform at the other end. Long-term plans include the reconstruction of the Brunel station building from Upper Heyford on this platform.
The site retains many original GWR features including the engine shed, turntable pit and coal stage from the 1932 rebuilding. The turntable itself is a Southern Railway item from the Southampton Docks.
The centre regularly holds events such as steam and diesel railcar days. Members of the Great Western Society are active in the preservation of locomotives and rolling stock and as of 2005 several locomotives such as King Edward II are being restored. Certain 'new-build' projects to create locomotives that didn't escape scrapping are also undertaken at Didcot, such as the completed Firefly locomotive mentioned above, a Saint locomotive (using a Hall chassis and boiler), a County locomotive (using a Hall chassis and LMS 8F Boiler), and a steam railmotor (using an autocoach that was rebuilt from a railmotor in the 1930s).
The railway centre is accessed through Didcot Parkway railway station, which links the centre by rail to London and much of the south and central England. Wheelchair and pram access is practically non-existent; they have to be carried up a flight of concrete steps. Although this contravenes the Disability Discrimination Act, the Great Western Society is unable to improve it since the site is owned by Network Rail.
[edit] Locomotives
[edit] Steam Locomotives
- GWR 6000 Class 6023 King Edward II. Undergoing restoration, planned to be finished in 2009.
- GWR 4073 Class 5051 Earl Bathurst. On static display awaiting overhaul.
- GWR 4073 Class 4079 Pendennis Castle. Undergoing overhaul, planned to be done in 2008.
- GWR 6959 Class 6998 Burton Agnes Hall. On static display awaiting overhaul.
- GWR 4900 Class 5900 Hinderton Hall. On static display awaiting overhaul.
- GWR 7800 Class 7808 Cookham Manor. On static display awaiting overhaul.
- GWR 2900 Class 2999 Lady of Legend. Undergoing construction.
- GWR 4300 Class 5322 2-6-0. Nearing the end of restoration which should be finished in 2008. Boiler cladding has been fitted.
- GWR 2884 Class 3822 2-8-0. In regular service at Didcot, boiler ticket expires in 2012.
- GWR 7200 Class 7202 2-8-2T. Undergoing restoration which should be done in five years.
- GWR 5600 Class 6697 0-6-2T. On static display awaiting overhaul.
- GWR 6100 Class 6106 2-6-2T. On static display awaiting overhaul.
- GWR 4575 Class 5572 2-6-2T. On static display awaiting overhaul.
- GWR 5101 Class 4144 2-6-2T. On static display awaiting overhaul.
- GWR 5700 Class 3738 0-6-0PT. In regular service at Didcot, boiler ticket expires in 2017.
- GWR 5700 Class 3650 0-6-0PT. Nearing the end of restoration, fully reassembled, repaint now needed, expected to steam in 2008.
- GWR 1361 Class 1363 0-6-0ST. On static display awaiting overhaul which could be done once Pendennis Castle is completed, recently painted in BR Black.
- GWR 1400 Class 0-4-2T No. 1466. On static display awaiting overhaul.
[edit] Diesel Locomotives
- GWR railcar No.22
- British Rail Class 08 08 604 Phantom
[edit] Non-GWR Locomotives
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- RSH 0-4-0ST No. 1 "Bonnie Prince Charlie". In service, painted in lined light green livery.[1]
- Avonside 0-6-0ST No. 2. Stored awaiting restoration.
- Kiston & Co. 0-4-0ST No. 1338. Operational and used on Autocar Trains, painted in GWR green livery.[2]
- Avonside 0-4-0ST GWR No. 1340 Trojan". Operational and used on Autocar trains, painted in GWR green livery.[3]
- George England 0-4-0WT No. 5 "Shannon". Awaiting repairs to its boiler and a cracked firebox.[4]
- Broad Gauge 2-2-2 GWR Firefly Class "Firefly". Built in 2005 and used on Broad Gauge services.[5]
[edit] External links
- Map sources for Didcot Railway Centre
- Didcot Railway Centre website
- Listed building information from Images of England
