Didcot Railway Centre

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 rationalisation of the UK railways, as well as the gradual switch from steam to diesel power.

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 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 transhipment 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 be found. The other length of track has a prefabricated concrete station platform 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 (UK) 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, in addition to the restoration of rolling stock such as coaches.

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.

Thomas The Tank are the most popular weekends at DRC. The Railway Centre is at it's busiest with lots of extra events including magic shows, Punch & Judy shows, circus workshops, balloon model makers, colouring competitions and 'spot the character' competitions. At Xmas there is also Father Christmas.

The cost of entry for a day for a family is not much cheaper than Annual Membership so please consider buying the latter. In any case keep your tickets because I think you can put them towards your membership (may be only if you apply in the same day).

There are many places to Picnic, but also an authentic railway cafe.

The Museum is small but packed with Railwayana

When you arrive at Didcot you actually have to enter the First Great Western mainline station , then go through the underpass until you see the "modest" entrance to DRC at the far end. One of the attactions of DRC is to be able to see both modern and old railway activity.

The Broad Gauge train is stored in the Transfer shed at the far end. This has very limited Steaming Days

Immediately when you enter DRC you will the "main" DRC Station on steaming days this will take you a few hundred yards to the "Oxford Rd" Station , leave your train there walk to the transfer shed and take an even shorter train ride (secondary line), this takes you to the centre of DRC where you'll find Engine Sheds, the cafe and the Museum.

There are always 4 or 5 locomotives and half-dozen or so carriages being renovated at Didcot. This means that even on non-steam days there often plenty of train movements as they juggle one or more trains out of the engine sheds.

• Museum/Relics Display
  
• Refreshment Room
  
• Science, Learning and Railways Centre
  
• Coaling Stage
  
• Travelling Post Office
  
• Engine Shed & Display
  
• Locomotive Works
  
• Welford Park Ticket Office
  
• Didcot Halt (Steam Days)
  
• Turntable
  
• Traverser
  
• Carriage & Wagon Workshop & Display
  
• Radstock Signal Box & Level Crossing
  
• Brunel's Atmospheric Caper
  
• Frome Mineral Junction Signal Box
  
• Transfer Shed Burlescombe
  
• Oxford Road Station