Didcot Railway Centre
Encyclopedia
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Didcot
Didcot is a town and civil parish in Oxfordshire about south of Oxford. Until 1974 it was in Berkshire, but was transferred to Oxfordshire in that year, and from Wallingford Rural District to the district of South Oxfordshire...
in the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
county of Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a county in the South East region of England, bordering on Warwickshire and Northamptonshire , Buckinghamshire , Berkshire , Wiltshire and Gloucestershire ....
, is based around the site of a comprehensive "engine shed" which became redundant after the nationalisation of the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
railways, due to the gradual changeover from steam to diesel motive power.
Description
The Great Western Society was offered the use of the Didcot Motive Power Depot site and took it over in 1967. The society has a comprehensive collection of ex Great Western RailwayGreat Western Railway
The Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838...
(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 station named Didcot Halt at one end while at the other end is the transshipment
Transshipment
Transshipment or Transhipment is the shipment of goods or containers to an intermediate destination, and then from there to yet another destination....
shed dating from broad gauge
Broad gauge
Broad-gauge railways use a track gauge greater than the standard gauge of .- List :For list see: List of broad gauges, by gauge and country- History :...
days, when it was used for transferring goods from broad to "narrow" (i.e. standard
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
) gauge rolling stock and vice-versa. It has been carefully moved and reconstructed from its original site nearby. This is where the broad gauge Firefly
GWR Firefly Class
The Firefly was a class of broad gauge 2-2-2 steam locomotives used for passenger services on the Great Western Railway. The class was introduced into service between March 1840 and December 1842, and withdrawn between December 1863 and July 1879....
replica, completed in 2005, can normally be found.
The other length of track has a pre-fabricated concrete station platform (from ) 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
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
Isambard Kingdom Brunel, FRS , was a British civil engineer who built bridges and dockyards including the construction of the first major British railway, the Great Western Railway; a series of steamships, including the first propeller-driven transatlantic steamship; and numerous important bridges...
-designed building from station on this platform.
The site retains many original GWR features including the engine shed, turntable pit and coaling stage from the 1932 rebuilding. The turntable itself is a Ransomes & Rapier example, built for the Southern Railway
Southern Railway (Great Britain)
The Southern Railway was a British railway company established in the 1923 Grouping. It linked London with the Channel ports, South West England, South coast resorts and Kent...
and used at Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
Docks.
The centre regularly holds events such as steam and diesel railcar
GWR railcars
In 1933, the Great Western Railway introduced the first of what was to become a very successful series of railcars, which survived in regular use into the 1960s, when they were replaced with the new British Rail "first generation" type diesel multiple units....
days. Members of the Great Western Society are active in the preservation of locomotives and rolling stock - as of 2005 several locomotives such as King Edward II
GWR 6000 Class 6023 King Edward II
Great Western Railway 6000 Class 6023 King Edward II is a preserved steam locomotive.The locomotive was built at GWR's Swindon works in June 1930. For most of its working life it was allocated to Newton Abbott and Laira . It was withdrawn from Cardiff in June 1962, and was sent to Swindon for...
are being restored from scrapyard condition. Certain 'new-build' projects to create locomotives that did not escape wholesale scrapping are also undertaken at Didcot, such as the completed Firefly locomotive mentioned above, a 'Saint' class locomotive (using a 'Hall' class chassis and boiler), a 'County' class locomotive (using a 'Hall' class chassis and an LMS '8F' class boiler), and a steam railmotor (using an autocoach that was rebuilt from a railmotor in the 1930s).
The railway centre is accessed from a subway at Didcot Parkway railway station
Didcot Parkway railway station
Didcot Parkway is a railway station serving the town of Didcot in Oxfordshire in England. The station was opened as Didcot on 12 June 1844, and renamed Didcot Parkway on 29 July 1985 to reflect its role as a park and ride railhead....
, which links the centre by rail to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and much of southern and central England. Wheelchair
Wheelchair
A wheelchair is a chair with wheels, designed to be a replacement for walking. The device comes in variations where it is propelled by motors or by the seated occupant turning the rear wheels by hand. Often there are handles behind the seat for someone else to do the pushing...
and pram
Pram
Pram may refer to:*Pram, Austria* Pram , a musical group* Pram , a type of shallow-draught, flat-bottomed ship * A type of dinghy with a flat bow* A type of wheeled baby transport...
access is practically nonexistent; they have to be carried up a flight of concrete steps. Although this contravenes the Disability Discrimination Act
Disability Discrimination Act 1995
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which has now been repealed and replaced by the Equality Act 2010 , except in Northern Ireland where the Act still applies...
, the Great Western Society is unable to improve it since the site is owned by Network Rail
Network Rail
Network Rail is the government-created owner and operator of most of the rail infrastructure in Great Britain .; it is not responsible for railway infrastructure in Northern Ireland...
.
History and future of the site
After being given use of the site from 1967 onwards, the Great Western Society (GWS) negotiated a long-term lease from the early 1970s which will expire in 2019. However, the present lease is subject to a six-month termination clause which could force the GWS to quit the site, and which can be operated at any point in time by Network Rail (NR)Network Rail
Network Rail is the government-created owner and operator of most of the rail infrastructure in Great Britain .; it is not responsible for railway infrastructure in Northern Ireland...
.
In an attempt to secure a long-term future for the society, in 2002 the GWS opened negotiations with NR to either purchase the site or extend the lease. In a letter dated May 2007, NR informed the GWS that they were prepared to sell the site subject to Office of Rail Regulation (ORR)
Office of Rail Regulation
The Office of Rail Regulation is a statutory board which is the combined economic and safety regulatory authority for Great Britain's railway network. It was established on 5 July 2004 by the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003, replacing the Rail Regulator...
approval. It had been thought the site could be subject to need as a depot, either due to the rebuilding of Reading station; a Crossrail
Crossrail
Crossrail is a project to build a major new railway link under central London. The name refers to the first of two routes which are the responsibility of Crossrail Ltd. It is based on an entirely new east-west tunnel with a central section from to Liverpool Street station...
project depot; or the Intercity Express Programme
Intercity Express Programme
The Intercity Express Programme is an initiative of the Department for Transport in the United Kingdom to procure new trains to replace the InterCity 125 fleet on the East Coast Main Line and Great Western Main Line, as well as replacing other trainsets on long distance services from London to...
. After expressing some concern at the slow speed of negotiations at the GWS annual meeting in September 2008, NR wrote to the GWS to advise that the site was no longer available for sale, and although a lease extension was still on offer it was still subject to the previous six-month termination clause. The GWS have written to their local MP Ed Vaizey, and placed any long term development plans on hold.
Steam Locomotives
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- GWR 4300 ClassGWR 4300 ClassThe Great Western Railway 4300 Class is a class of 2-6-0 steam locomotive.- Overview :The class was introduced in 1911 to a G.J. Churchward design. 342 were built until 1932...
5322 2-6-0. In service at Didcot, boiler ticket expires in 2018. - GWR 5700 ClassGWR 5700 ClassThe Great Western Railway 5700 Class is a class of 0-6-0 pannier tank steam locomotive, built between 1929 and 1950. 863 were built, making them the second most-produced British class of steam locomotive.- Overview :...
3738 0-6-0PT. In regular service at Didcot, boiler ticket expires in 2017. - GWR 5700 ClassGWR 5700 ClassThe Great Western Railway 5700 Class is a class of 0-6-0 pannier tank steam locomotive, built between 1929 and 1950. 863 were built, making them the second most-produced British class of steam locomotive.- Overview :...
3650 0-6-0PT. In service at Didcot, boiler ticket expires in 2018. - GWR 6000 Class 6023 King Edward IIGWR 6000 Class 6023 King Edward IIGreat Western Railway 6000 Class 6023 King Edward II is a preserved steam locomotive.The locomotive was built at GWR's Swindon works in June 1930. For most of its working life it was allocated to Newton Abbott and Laira . It was withdrawn from Cardiff in June 1962, and was sent to Swindon for...
. Recently returned to steam for the first time in preservation, boiler ticket expires in 2020. - GWR Firefly ClassGWR Firefly ClassThe Firefly was a class of broad gauge 2-2-2 steam locomotives used for passenger services on the Great Western Railway. The class was introduced into service between March 1840 and December 1842, and withdrawn between December 1863 and July 1879....
"Firefly". Early Broad GaugeBroad gaugeBroad-gauge railways use a track gauge greater than the standard gauge of .- List :For list see: List of broad gauges, by gauge and country- History :...
2-2-2. Built in 2005.
Steam locomotives under overhaul
- GWR 4073 Class 4079 Pendennis CastleGWR 4073 Class 4079 Pendennis CastlePendennis Castle is a GWR 4073 Class steam locomotive, preserved at the Didcot Railway Centre.-Operations:The seventh of the first lot of 10 Castles built in 1923/4, No.4079 "Pendennis Castle" was completed at Swindon Works in February 1924...
- undergoing overhaul - GWR 7200 ClassGWR 7200 ClassThe Great Western Railway 7200 Class is a class of 2-8-2T steam locomotive. They were the largest tank engines to run in Great Britain....
7202 2-8-2T - undergoing restoration - GWR 1361 ClassGWR 1361 ClassThe 1361 Class were small 0-6-0ST steam locomotives built by the Great Western Railway at their Swindon railway works, England, mainly for shunting in docks and other sidings where track curvature was too tight for large locomotives.-History:...
1363 0-6-0ST – dismantled, awaiting work to start - GWR 5101 ClassGWR 5101 ClassThe GWR 5101 Class or Large Prairie was a class of 2-6-2T steam locomotives of the Great Western Railway. They were medium-sized tank engines used for suburban and local passenger services all over the Great Western Railway system...
4144 2-6-2T – boiler lifted, work to be done over the winter
Steam locomotives under construction
- GWR 2900 ClassGWR 2900 ClassThe Great Western Railway 2900 or Saint Class were a class of 4-6-0 steam locomotives for passenger train work. Number 2925 Saint Martin was later rebuilt as the prototype Hall Class locomotive, and renumbered 4900.-Prototypes:...
2999 Lady of Legend - GWR 1000 ClassGWR 1000 ClassThe Great Western Railway 1000 Class or County Class was a class of 4-6-0 steam locomotive. Thirty were built between 1945 and 1947, but all were withdrawn and scrapped in the early 1960s. A replica locomotive is under construction.-Overview:...
1014 County of Glamorgan
Steam locomotives on static display
The following locomotives have all been restored to working order since withdrawal from British Railways but their boiler certificates have expired, hence they cannot be steamed until they have each undergone a major overhaul.
- GWR 2884 ClassGWR 2884 ClassThe Great Western Railway 2884 Class is a class of 2-8-0 steam locomotive designed for heavy freight work. They were a development of the earlier 2800 Class. The 2884s differed from the original engines in a number of respects, the most obvious being that a more modern Collett side window cab was...
3822 2-8-0. Out of action due to tube problems. Boiler ticket meant to expire in 2012. This locomotive is famous for appearing in the Queen music video BreakthruBreakthru (song)"Breakthru" is a song by British rock band Queen. Credited as being written by Queen, it was released in June 1989 from the album The Miracle. The single reached #7 in the UK, and peaked at number 6 in the Netherlands and Ireland, but failed to chart in the US... - GWR 4073 Class 5051 Earl BathurstGWR 4073 Class 5051 Earl BathurstEarl Bathurst is a Castle class locomotive. It still works, and is run by the Didcot Railway Centre.It was originally built as Drysllwyn Castle in May 1936. Its first shed allocation was Swansea Landore. Renamed Earl Bathurst in August 1937; the name coming from a de-named GWR Dukedog Class. It...
- GWR 6959 Class 6998 Burton Agnes Hall
- GWR 4900 Class 5900 Hinderton HallGWR 4900 Class 5900 Hinderton HallHinderton Hall is a 4-6-0 GWR 4900 Class locomotive, currently preserved at Didcot Railway Centre. It was designed by Collett in 1928, built at Swindon in 1931 as the 101st of its class....
- GWR 7800 Class 7808 Cookham ManorGWR 7800 Class 7808 Cookham Manor7808 Cookham Manor is a Great Western Railway 7800 'Manor' Class steam locomotive. It was built in 1938 at Swindon Works. It was withdrawn from service in December 1965 and was obtained directly for preservation from British Railways when it was purchased by a member of the Great Western Society in...
- GWR 5600 ClassGWR 5600 ClassThe GWR 5600 Class is a class of 0-6-2T steam locomotive built between 1924 and 1928. They were designed by C.B Collett for the Great Western Railway , and were introduced into traffic in 1924. Two hundred locomotives were built and remained in service until withdrawn by British Railways between...
6697 0-6-2T - GWR 6100 ClassGWR 6100 ClassThe GWR 6100 Class is a class of prairie tank locomotives, designed by Charles Collett, and of the 2-6-2T arrangement.They were introduced in 1931 and were a straightforward development of the earlier 5101 class with little more than an increased boiler pressure of to distinguish them from their...
6106 2-6-2T - GWR 4575 ClassGWR 4575 ClassThe Great Western Railway 4575 Class is a class of steam locomotive. They are 2-6-2T Small Prairie type based on the 4500 Class but with larger side tanks...
5572 2-6-2T - GWR 1400 ClassGWR 1400 ClassThe GWR 1400 Class is a class of steam locomotive designed by the Great Western Railway for branch line passenger work. It was originally classified as the 4800 Class when introduced in 1932, and renumbered in 1946....
1466 0-4-2T
Diesel Locomotives
- GWR railcarGWR railcarsIn 1933, the Great Western Railway introduced the first of what was to become a very successful series of railcars, which survived in regular use into the 1960s, when they were replaced with the new British Rail "first generation" type diesel multiple units....
22 - British Rail Class 08British Rail Class 08The British Rail Class 08 is a class of diesel-electric shunting locomotive. From 1953 to 1962, 996 locomotives were produced, making it the most numerous of all British locomotive classes....
08604 "Phantom"
Gas turbine locomotive
British Rail 18000British Rail 18000
British Rail 18000 was a prototype mainline gas turbine-electric locomotive built for British Railways in 1949 by Brown, Boveri & Cie. It had, however, been ordered by the Great Western Railway in 1946, but construction was delayed due to World War II...
gas turbine-electric locomotive
Gas turbine-electric locomotive
A gas turbine - electric locomotive, or GTEL, is a locomotive that uses a gas turbine to drive an electric generator or alternator. The electric current thus produced is used to power traction motors. This type of locomotive was first experimented with during the Second World War, but reached its...
arrived at Didcot Railway Centre on 29 July 2011.
Non-GWR Locomotives
- Robert Stephenson and HawthornsRobert Stephenson and HawthornsRobert Stephenson and Hawthorns Ltd was a locomotive builder with works in North East England.-History:The company was formed in September 1937 when Robert Stephenson and Company, which was based in Darlington took over the locomotive building department of Hawthorn Leslie and Company, based in...
0-4-0ST No. 1 Bonnie Prince Charlie. Awaiting overhaul, painted in lined light green livery. - Kitson & Co.Kitson & Co.Kitson and Company was a locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-Early history:The company started as James Kitson at the Airedale Foundry, off Pearson Street, Hunslet in 1835 with Charles Todd as a partner...
0-4-0ST No. 1338GWR 0-4-0STThe GWR 0-4-0ST steam locomotives were acquired by the Great Western Railway at the 1923 grouping. They came from small railways and from contractors...
. Currently out of service awaiting an overhaul. Accurately painted in GWR green livery, since the locomotive was owned by the GWR during operational service. - George EnglandGeorge EnglandGeorge England and Co. was an early English manufacturer of steam locomotives founded by the engineer George England of Newcastle upon Tyne...
0-4-0WT No. 5 Shannon. Awaiting repairs to its boiler and a cracked firebox. - GWR No. 1340 TrojanGWR No. 1340 TrojanGWR No. 1340 is an 0-4-0ST steam locomotive, built in 1897 by the Avonside Engine Company of Bristol, England.Her first owners were Messrs Dunn & Shute of Newport Town Dock. In 1903 she was purchased by the Alexandra Docks Railway. This was absorbed into the Great Western Railway in 1923.In...
. AvonsideAvonsideAvonside is an eastern suburb in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is one of the oldest suburbs of the city, with only Heathcote being older.-History:...
0-4-0ST Operational and used on Autocar trains. Accurately painted in GWR green livery, since the locomotive was owned by the GWR during operational service.
Other Restorations
Some Year 12s from Reading SchoolReading School
Reading School is a state-funded, selective academy school for boys in the English town of Reading. It is notable for tracing its history back to the school of Reading Abbey, making it one of the oldest schools in England. There are no tuition fees for day pupils, and boarders only pay for food and...
are restoring a Slate waggon
Slate waggon
Slate waggons are specialized types of railway waggons designed for the conveyance of slate. The characteristics of this stone led to the development of small open cars that carried the slate in its various forms. These were first developed on the narrow gauge railways serving the slate industry...
, which will be placed in the museum when they finish.
External links
- Didcot Railway Centre website
- Listed building information from Images of EnglandImages of EnglandrightImages of England is an online photographic record of all the listed buildings in England at the date of February 2001. The archive gives access to over 323,000 colour images, each of which is matched with the item’s listed designation architectural description.This ‘snapshot’ is not an...
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