Didcot Railway Centre

Didcot Railway Centre

With the weather against us on our previous attempt at visiting Didcot Railway Centre near Oxford and having to change our destination to visit Brooklands (please see previous blog) we finally managed to arrive. Parking at Didcot train station was easy but although signposted the Railway Centre’s access is a little more challenging as you have to go through the working station with the ticket inspectors allowing you access through the station to an underground tunnel leading to the other side.

Didcot Railway Centre is based around the original Great Western Railway Engine Shed built in 1932 and Brunel’s Broad Gauge line it was part of the Great Western Railway which started in 1835 until it was nationalised in 1947 when it became British Railway. Run by a charitable organisation with a collection ranging from steam and diesel locomotives, carriages, wagons and artefacts it is open to the public throughout the year only on weekends during some seasons.

Although they have a good collection of steam trains which you are able to climb aboard the cabin to see the controls, valves and firebox the centre is fairly small and there is not enough to keep you entertained all day. With some great photographs of the static trains and disappointed that the only train running was a diesel shunter we decided to look for another location with a running steam train. If you are planning a visit you should check out the timetable to ensure you go on the day the steam trains are running otherwise you will miss one of the best parts of the trip. Some of the photographs I took during the visit are below.