Didcot Railway Centre

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Didcot Railway Centre
Didcot Shed - 51350975554.jpg
Locomotives 5051, 29 (visiting), 2999, 3738, and others sitting in front of the engine shed.
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Location in Oxfordshire
Established1967
Location Didcot, Oxfordshire, England
Coordinates 51°36′49″N1°14′41″W / 51.613509°N 1.244772°W / 51.613509; -1.244772
TypeOperational Railway museum
Key holdings GWR 6000 Class No.6023 King Edward II
GWR 4073 Class No.4079 Pendennis Castle
GWR Firefly Class Firefly
OwnerGreat Western Society (site leased from Network Rail)
Public transit access Didcot Parkway
Website Didcot Railway Centre

Didcot Railway Centre is a railway museum and preservation engineering site in Didcot, Oxfordshire, England. The site was formerly a Great Western Railway engine shed and locomotive stabling point.

Contents

Background

The founders and commercial backers of the Great Western Railway (GWR) supported Isambard Kingdom Brunel's scheme to develop an integrated railway and steamship service which allowed trans-Atlantic passengers and freight quicker passage between London and New York City. However, whilst backing the scheme the railway had to make a profit, and so it took a number of detours and added both mainline and branch line traffic to increase its domestic earnings. This earned the railway the nickname The Great Way Round from its detractors. [1]

Whilst the route from London Paddington to Reading was relatively straight, the then obvious most direct route to Bristol would have taken the railway further south, thus avoiding both Didcot and Swindon. However, passenger and freight traffic both to and from Oxford and onwards to the West Midlands in part dictated a more northerly route. Also, Brunel had originally planned to cut through Savernake Forest near Marlborough, Wiltshire to Bristol, but the Marquess of Ailesbury, who owned the land, objected – having previously objected to part of the Kennet and Avon Canal running through his estate (see Bruce Tunnel). With the railway needing to run near to a canal at its midpoint – as it was cheaper to transport coal for trains along canals at this time – and with the need for the branch northwards to Cheltenham via Stroud, Swindon was the next logical choice for the junction (and later railway works), 20 miles (32 km) north of the original route. This dictated that the Oxford junction also be moved northwards, and hence via Didcot. [1] The Great Western Railway built the first rail line through Didcot in 1839 and opened its first station in 1844.

Construction

Didcot Railway Centre, Oct 2001 DidcotRailwayCentre(ChristineMatthews)Oct2001.jpg
Didcot Railway Centre, Oct 2001

Due to the technical operational difficulties of running and maintaining a mainline service from London to Bristol, as well as the need for servicing locomotives going to Oxford, Didcot became an obvious midpoint maintenance and stabling point. Having built a timber-framed 7 ft 14 in (2,140 mm) broad gauge shed on the original site during the railway's development west in the 1800s, in June 1932 a new steel-framed half-brick 4-road through shed (210 by 67 feet [64.01 m × 20.42 m]), was completed by the GWR under the Loans and Guarantees Act (1929). With shed code DID, it also included a repair shop (84 by 42 feet [25.6 m × 12.8 m]), coaling stage (43 by 36 feet [13.1 m × 11.0 m]), sand furnace (10 by 10 feet [3.0 m × 3.0 m]) and 65 feet (20 m) turntable and associated offices (210 by 15 feet [64 m × 5 m]). [1] During World War II, a standard steel-framed with corrugated iron-panel covered ash shelter was erected: [1] this was dismantled in early GWS days.

Operations

After World War II, the site remained virtually unchanged during the nationalised ownership of British Railways (BR), but for taking on the new code of 81E. The standard allocation of locomotives remained the same, with Halls, Dukedogs and Panniers making up the bulk of the depot's fleet. [1]

Closure

With the replacement of steam with diesel traction under the Modernisation Plan, the shed became redundant and was closed in June 1965. [1]

Formation and site lease

The Great Western Society (GWS) was offered the use of the former Didcot locomotive depot, taking it over in 1967. In the 1970s, the society negotiated a long-term lease with BR which was to expire in 2019. But this was subject to a six-month termination clause which could force the GWS to quit the site, and which could be operated at any point in time by lease-holder Network Rail (NR).

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) 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 project depot; or the Intercity Express Programme. 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 then wrote to their local MP Ed Vaizey, and placed any long-term development plans on hold. [2] As of 6 October 2011 Richard Croucher (Chairman of the Great Western Society) signed a new 50-year lease with Network Rail, therefore preserving the site for at least another 50 years.

Museum and railway centre

Reconstructed mixed-gauge, 1,435 mm (
4 ft 8+1/2 in) standard gauge /
7 ft 1/4 in (2,140 mm) track Mixed gauge track Didcot.JPG
Reconstructed mixed-gauge, 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge / 7 ft 14 in (2,140 mm) track
Travelling Post Office DSCN2377-mail-coach crop b.jpg
Travelling Post Office
A reconstruction of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's atmospheric railway, using a segment of the original piping Brunel's Atmospheric Railway.jpg
A reconstruction of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's atmospheric railway, using a segment of the original piping

Today the GWS have developed the site, which still retains many of the original GWR buildings and features, as both a working steam locomotive and railway museum, engineering maintenance centre, and railway line offering short rides to visitors.

Access via Didcot Parkway station brings the visitor into the southern end of the site, at the start of the ramp coal wagons would take up to the coaling stage. Beyond this is the original 1932 four-road engine shed, and beyond this the original repair shed and 1988 constructed locomotive works, both of which have restricted access due to safety concerns. Beyond this lies a Ransomes & Rapier 70 feet (21 m) turntable, originally built for the Southern Railway at Southampton Docks, installed in the original pit.

The centre regularly holds events such as steam and diesel railcar days. Members of the Great Western Society have been active in the preservation of locomotives and rolling stock. Certain 'new-build' projects to create locomotives that did not escape wholesale scrapping have also been undertaken at Didcot, such as the completed Firefly locomotive, a 'Saint' class (using a 'Hall' class chassis and boiler) and a 'County' class locomotive (using a 'Hall' class chassis and an LMS '8F' class boiler).

There is a small relics museum and archive on site, operated by the Great Western Trust. [3]

The Railway Centre is used a period film set and has featured in works including Anna Karenina , Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows , and The Elephant Man . [4]

Running lines

The former broad-gauge transfer shed is now used as a station building on the branch line GWR No.22 AEC Diesel Railcar with Firefy Broad Guage Steam Loco Replica at Didcot Great Western Railway Centre (7882212230).jpg
The former broad-gauge transfer shed is now used as a station building on the branch line
The broad-gauge transfer shed in its original location, with the provender store behind Didcot SR 4-4-0 geograph-2636994-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
The broad-gauge transfer shed in its original location, with the provender store behind

There are three short lengths of running track, each with a station at both ends:

Access

Railways around Didcot
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Moreton Junction
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Main to relief line crossovers
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Didcot East Junction
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Didcot Parkway
Didcot Railway Centre
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Didcot West Junction
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Didcot North Junction
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Foxhall Junction
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Didcot Power Station
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Milton Park
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The railway centre is entirely surrounded by active railway lines and has no road connection of any kind. Public access is on foot from a subway at Didcot Parkway station, which links the centre by rail to London and much of southern and central England. Wheelchair and pram access has been difficult due to the presence of a flight of concrete steps on Network Rail property. To comply fully with the Disability Discrimination Act, the Great Western Society began construction of a ramped access in 2023. [5]

Collection

Steam locomotives

ClassNumber (& Name)ImageStatusNotes
Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns 0-4-0ST No.1
Bonnie Prince Charlie
Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn No.7544 (5656781313).jpg Static DisplayBuilt 1949 for dockside shunting. Awaiting overhaul. Painted in lined light green livery. [6]
George England 0-4-0WT No.5 Loco 5.jpg Static DisplayBuilt 1857, latterly owned by the Wantage Tramway. Steamed in 1970s but examination indicated that too much historic material would need replacing to return it to working condition, so remains on static display in 1920s red livery. [7]
GWR Steam Railmotor No.93 GWR 93 railmotor.jpg Static DisplayBuilt 1908. Restoration completed in 2012. Often runs with trailer carriage No. 92. Boiler ticket expired in 2021. [8]
GWR 1000 Class 1014
County of Glamorgan
GWR 1014 'County of Glamorgan' in progress.jpg Under Construction1946 design. Replica using original GWR and LMS locomotive components. [9]
Kitson & Co. 0-4-0ST No.1338 1338 Didcot.jpg Static DisplayBuilt 1898. Ex-Cardiff Railway. [10]
GWR 1340 Class 1340
Trojan
1340 Didcot (1).jpg Operational.Built 1897. Ex-Alexandra (Newport and South Wales) Docks and Railway. Painted in GWR green livery. Returned to steam in 2021 after an offsite overhaul. [11] [12]
GWR 1361 Class 1363 GWR 1361 Class 1363.jpg Under OverhaulBuilt 1910. Undergoing a major overhaul with significant work being undertaken on both the boiler and frames. [13]
GWR 1400 Class 1466 4866 Didcot (1).jpg Under Overhaul [14] Built 1936. This was the first locomotive bought by the society. Under overhaul offsite and hoped to be back in service in 2024. [15]
Hunslet 0-6-0T No. 2409
King George
King George Steam Locomotive at Didcot Railway Centre 20th February 2023.jpg OperationalBuilt 1942 as 0-6-0ST for colliery use; rebuilding as 0-6-0T at Didcot completed 2022. [16]
GWR 2900 Class 2999
Lady of Legend
GWR 2999 Lady of Legend Didcot Railway Centre.jpg Operational1902/06 design. Completed at Didcot 2019 [17] using components from No. 4942 Maindy Hall (1929). Runs as a 4-6-0 but intended to run as a 4-4-2 for periods of time. [18]
GWR 5700 Class 3650 3650 Didcot Railway Centre.jpg Under OverhaulBuilt 1939. Ten-yearly overhaul began in 2018. [19]
GWR 5700 Class 3738 Hugh llewelyn 3738 (5594996797).jpg Static DisplayBuilt 1937. Out of service from 2013 due to boiler crack. [20]
GWR 2884 Class 3822 Didcot Railway Centre - geograph.org.uk - 1169693.jpg Static DisplayBuilt 1940. Appeared in the Queen music video Breakthru . Withdrawn from service in 2010. [21]
GWR 4073 Class 4079
Pendennis Castle
4079 Pendennis Castle at Didcot.jpg OperationalBuilt 1924. Boiler ticket expires 2031. This locomotive was repatriated from Australia in 2000 after spending 22 years in the country. [22]
GWR 5101 Class 4144 4144 Didcot.jpg OperationalBuilt 1946. Boiler ticket expires in 2025.
GWR 4073 Class 5051
Earl Bathurst
GWR 5051 Drysllwyn Castle Didcot Railway Centre.jpg Static DisplayBuilt 1936. Currently carrying its former name, Drysllwyn Castle. [23]
GWR 5205 Class 5227 GWR 5205 No. 5227.jpg Static DisplayBuilt 1924. One of the Barry Ten, it was purchased in 2010 to provide parts for the construction of the new-build GWR 4700 Class No. 4709. After donating its axleboxes to the project, it moved to Didcot in 2013 following storage at a private site. Currently on display in ex-scrapyard condition as a reminder of the challenge that preservationists had to conquer. The Standard No. 4 Boiler, pony truck wheel set, 2 pony truck axleboxes, 4 horn guides and 2 eccentric sheaves are being transferred to the new build Churchward County GWR 3800 Class 3840 "County of Montgomery". [24] The remainder of the locomotive has been sold to an individual who intends to restore the locomotive to working order, including manufacture of parts to replace those removed for use in new build projects. The locomotive is expected to remain at Didcot Railway Centre.
GWR 4300 Class 5322 5322 at Didcot (32073232248).jpg Static Display [25] Built 1917. Used by Railway Operating Division in France during World War I. Withdrawn in 2014 due to boiler problems. [26]
GWR 4575 Class 5572 5572 Didcot (1).jpg Static DisplayBuilt 1929. [27]
GWR 4900 Class 5900
Hinderton Hall
Hinderton Hall 5900 Didcot.jpg Static DisplayBuilt 1931. [28]
GWR 6000 Class 6023
King Edward II
Hugh llewelyn 6023 (5594994775).jpg Static DisplayBuilt 1930. Returned to steam in 2010 after completion of a lengthy restoration from scrapyard condition, was originally purchased as a spares donor for sister engine 6024 King Edward I. Boiler ticket expired in 2020. [29] BR blue livery.
GWR 6100 Class 6106 6106 at Didcot Railway Centre.jpg Static DisplayBuilt 1931. [30]
GWR 5600 Class 6697 6697 Didcot.jpg Static DisplayBuilt 1928. Only member of the 5600 class to be purchased directly from British Railways for preservation. [31]
GWR 6959 Class 6998
Burton Agnes Hall
Burton Agnes Hall 6998 Didcot.jpg Static DisplayBuilt 1949. [32]
GWR 7200 Class 7202 Loco 7202.jpg Under RestorationBuilt 1934. [33]
GWR 7800 Class 7808
Cookham Manor
Cookham Manor 7808 Didcot.jpg Static DisplayBuilt 1938. [34]
GWR Firefly Class Fire Fly Fire Fly 6023 Didcot (3).jpg Static DisplayBuilt 2005 as working replica of 1840 Broad Gauge 2-2-2. [35]
GWR Iron Duke Class Iron Duke IRON DUKE replica National Railway Museum (1).jpg Static DisplayBuilt 1985 as working replica of early Broad Gauge 4-2-2. On loan from National Railway Museum.
Breakdown CraneRS1054 Cowan Sheldon 50 ton crane.jpg Under restorationBuilt 1930. Ex LMS Cowan Sheldon 50 ton steam crane.
Steam Crane23059 Steam Crane 23059.jpg For restorationBuilt 1954. Thomas Smith and Sons (Rodley) Ltd, Leeds.

Diesel locomotives

ClassNumber (&Name)ImageStatusNotes
GWR Railcar No.22 GWR Railcar No.22 Didcot Railway Centre.JPG OperationalBuilt 1940. [36]
Hunslet DL 26 Hunslet Engine Company DL26 at Didcot.jpg Operational [37] Built by Hunslet of Leeds in 1957 for the National Coal Board and arrived at Didcot in 1978. It was the only diesel shunter at the site for many years until the arrival of 08604. Most of its duties tend to be light shunting. Repainted 2023.
British Rail Class 08 08604
Phantom
BR Class 08 08604 'Phantom'.jpg Operational [38] Built Derby Works as D3771, allocated to: Longsight (9A) June 1959; Stockport Edgeley (9B) July 1959; Longsight (9A) April 1965, unofficially named Ardwick; renumbered 08604 February 1974; stored Swindon Works 1981; Tyseley TMD February 1984, unofficially renamed Javelin, officially then named Phantom; Bescot November 1988; Derby Etches Park November 1992; withdrawn in July 1993. Sold to GWS and moved to DRC 1994.
British Rail Class 14 D9516 D9516 - 14382235511.jpg OperationalBuilt 1964. After a post-BR industrial career, bought for preservation by Gerald Boden and based at Great Central Railway and then Nene Valley Railway. Bought from the Wensleydale Railway in 2014.
British Rail Class 52 D1023
Western Fusilier
NRM outside Great Hall 1023.jpg Static DisplayBuilt 1963. In 1973 it became the final diesel hydraulic to receive a general repair at Swindon Works. Upon withdrawal in 1977, it was preserved by the National Railway Museum. Arrived at Didcot in January 2023 on a 5 year loan from York. [39]
GWR 18000 18000 GWR18000 at Didcot.jpg Static DisplayArrived 29 July 2011. Owned by Pete Waterman [40]

Other rolling stock

The GWS has an extensive supporting collection of GWR rolling stock, including three of the GWR Super Saloons that serviced the boat train traffic to Plymouth.

Carriages

TypeNumber (&Name)ImageStatusNotes
Churchward Auto TrailerNo. 92 GWR 92 Autotrailer (31019213547).jpg Restored to run with Steam Railmotor 93.Built at Swindon, 1912.
Collett Auto TrailerNo. 190 GWR Collett 63 Auto Trailer Third No.190 (6822562549).jpg Operational, subject to works attention.Built at Swindon, 1933.
Hawksworth Auto TrailerNo. 231 BR(WR) Hawkesworth 64 Third Auto Trailer No.W231 (6837211069).jpg Operational, subject to works attention.Built at Swindon, 1951
Bristol & Exeter Railway Broad Gauge CoachNo. 250Enough of body remains to reconstruct a small compartment.Built between 1852 & 1892
Dean 4w 1st 2nd CompositeNo.290 GWR 4-Wheel Dean 290 Composite.jpg Restoration began in 2011.Built at Swindon, 1902
Dean 4w Brake ThirdNo. 416 GWR Dean 31 Brake Third No.416 (6822561497).jpg Built at Swindon, 1891
Collett ThirdNo. 536 GWR Collett 63' TK (Third Corridor) No.536.jpg OperationalBuilt at Swindon, 1940
Dean 4-Wheel ThirdNo. 975 GWR 4 wheel third No. 975.jpg RestoredBuilt at Swindon, 1902. Restoration complete. Restored to recreate a Victorian train.
Collett ThirdNo. 1111No current restoration plans.Built at Swindon, 1938.
Collett 'Excursion' ThirdNo. 1289 GWR Collett 60 "Sunshine" Excursion Third No.1289 (5369235591).jpg Built at Swindon,1937
Dean 8 Compartment Third ClerestoryNo. 1357Awaiting major restoration in carriage shed.Built at Swindon, 1903.
Dean ThirdNo. 1941 GWR Dean Third No.1941 (6822561187).jpg Operational.Built at Swindon, 1901.
Hawksworth Brake ThirdNo. 2202 GWR Hawksworth 63' Third Corridor Brake No.2202 (.jpg Operational.Built at Swindon, 1950
Hawksworth Brake ThirdNo. 2232 GWR Hawksworth Brake Third 2232.jpg Initially restored as a locker room for staff.Built at Swindon, 1950
Dean 6-wheel Family SaloonNo. 2511 GWR Dean 31 6-wheel Family Saloon No.2511 (6766965631).jpg Operational. Was rescued and preserved from a house and placed on the underframe of a GWR 6-wheel van.Built at Swindon, 1894
Churchward “Dreadnought” 9 Compartment ThirdNo. 3299 GWR 3299.jpg Major restoration commenced.Built at Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company, 1905. One of the first coaches acquired by the Great Western Society.
Churchward Non-Corridor Brake ThirdNo. 3755 GWR 3755 Dreadnought Brake.jpg Restored and occasionally operated.Built at Swindon, 1921.
Churchward Non-Corridor Brake ThirdNo. 3756 GWR 3756 Churchward City Stock Brake.jpg Under restoration.Built at Swindon, 1921.
Churchward Toplight Corridor ThirdNo. 3963No current restoration plans.Built at Swindon, 1919.
Collett Third - Bow EndedNo. 4553 GWR Collett Third 4553.jpg No current restoration plans.Built at Swindon, 1925.
Collett 8 Compartment Bow-Ended ThirdNo. 5085Built at Swindon, 1928.
Collett Brake ThirdNo. 5787No current restoration plans.Built at Swindon, 1933.
Collett All ThirdNo. 5952 GWR Collett 57 Compartment Third No.5952 (6766966445).jpg No current restoration plans; restoration may commence once 7371 is completed.Built at Swindon, 1935.
Dean 6-Wheel TricompositeNo. 6824Stored on an LMS 6w underframe.Built in 1887. Was a convertible coach, originally built for the Broad Gauge.
Collett CompositeNo. 7285 GWR Collett "Sunshine" 61 Composite Corridor No.7285 (6766966827).jpg Built at Swindon, 1941.
Collett CompositeNo. 7313 GWR Collett 60 Composite Corridor No.7313 (6766967495).jpg Restored.Built at Swindon, 1940. Wartime all-over chocolate livery.
Collett Brake CompositeNo. 7371Under restoration.Built at Swindon, 1941.
Hawksworth Brake CompositeNo. 7372 BR (WR) Hawkesworth 64 Brake Composite No.7372 (6824565845).jpg OperationalBuilt at Swindon, 1948.
Collett Brake CompositeNo. 7976Built at Swindon, 1923.
Collett Special SaloonNo. 9002 GWR Collett 61 "Special Saloon" No.9002 (6822561971).jpg Operational.Built at Swindon, 1940. Used by Winston Churchill, General Eisenhower and the Royal Family during WWII.
Hawksworth First Class Sleeping CarNo. 9083 GWR 9083 First Class Sleeping Coach.jpg Operational,Built at Swindon, 1951.
Collett Super Saloon No. 9112 Queen MaryNo current restoration plans.Built at Swindon, 1932.
Collett Super SaloonNo. 9113 Prince of Wales GWR 9113.jpg Under restorationBuilt at Swindon, 1932.
Collett Super SaloonNo. 9118 Princess Elizabeth GWR Super Saloons.jpg Built at Swindon, 1932.
Dean Composite DinerNo. 9520No current restoration plans.
Collett 'Centenary Diner'No. 9635 GWR Collett 61 "Centenary" First Diner No.9635 (6887465951).jpg Built at Swindon, 1935.

Broad Gauge replica carriages

TypeNumber (&Name)ImageStatusNotes
Six-Wheeled, Second Class, Broad Gauge Covered CarriageBG1 GWR Gooch Second Class broad gauge coach (6824560573).jpg On displayBuilt at BR Cardiff Cathays in 1984 to 19th cent. design.
Six-Wheeled, Third Class, Broad Gauge Open CarriageBG2 GWR Gooch Third Class (6824559583).jpg On displayBuilt at BR Cardiff Cathays in 1984 to 19th cent. design.

Non-passenger-carrying coaching stock

TypeNumber (&Name)ImageStatusNotes
Tool VanNo. 1 GWR No. 1 Tool Van.jpg In use as staff tool van.Built in 1908 at Swindon.
Tool VanNo. 47 GWR No. 47 Tool Van.jpg Stored under cover with 9083 and 2232, used as a stores van.Built in 1908 at Swindon.
Tool VanNo. 56 GWR No. 56 Tool Van.jpg In use as staff tool van.Built in 1908 at Swindon.
Collett Full BrakeNo. 111 GWR Collett Full Brake 111.jpg No current restoration plans.Built at Swindon, 1934.
Hawksworth Passenger Brake VanNo. 316 GWR Hawkesworth 64 Full Brake (BR "B") No.316 (6766965853).jpg Built at Swindon, 1950
Hawksworth Passenger Brake VanNo. 333 GWR 333 Hawksworth Full Brake.jpg In use as sales vehicle.Built at Swindon, 1951. Acquired from Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway.
Churchward 'Monster' Carriage TruckNo. 484Built at Swindon, 1913.
Churchward 'Python'No. 565 GWR Churchward Python 565.jpg In use as a workshop and stores vehicle.Built at Swindon, 1914.
Travelling Post OfficeNo. 814 GW TPO.jpg Not currently operational.Built at Swindon, 1940.
Dean Full BrakeNo. 933 GWR 933 Dean Full Brake.jpg Operational by 2019.Built at Swindon, 1898
Medical Officers' Coach, originally a Churchward Passenger Brake Van - ToplightNo. 1159Built at Swindon, 1925.
Collett Full BrakeNo. 1184 GWR Collett Full Brake 1184.jpg Being restored and modified to run with GWR TPO 814.Built at Swindon, 1930. Last bow-ended full brake.
Collett 'Siphon G'No. 2796 2796 Siphon 'G' (45046522245).jpg Restored. OperationalBuilt at Swindon, 1937.
Six-Wheel Milk TankS4409 Ex-SR 6w milk tank 4409.jpg OperationalBuilt in 1931 as four wheeler. Rebuilt in 1937 as six wheeler. Chassis ex-Southern Railway. Most recently painted in Co-operative Wholesale Society green livery with lettering "MILK C.W.S SERVICE".
Special Cattle VanNo. 752 752 Cattle Van.jpg Built in 1952 at Ashford. Diagram W17.
'Bloater' Fish VanNo. 2671 GWR 'BLOATER' No.2671 - 33809021968.jpg Requires re-restoration.Built in 1925 at Swindon.
'Fruit C' VanNo. 2862 GWR FRUIT C No.2862 (32044542727).jpg Built in 1939 at Swindon.
'Fruit D' VanNo. 2913Built in 1941 at Swindon.
'Fruit' VanNo. 47886 GWR 47886 Fruit Van.jpg Operational.Built in 1892 at Swindon. Dean brake system.

Wagons

TypeNumber (&Name)ImageStatusNotes
Tar WagonNo. 1Requires re-restorationBuilt in 1898
6w Drinking Water TankNo. 101 ADW 101.jpg Built in 1948.
Department Mess VanNo. 263 No. 263 Department van.jpg In staff useBuilt in 1905. Rebuilt by BR from a GWR 25t brake van No. 56867.
Oil Tank WagonNo. 795 Tank wagon Didcot Railway Centre 20th February 2023.jpg RestoredBuilt in 1912 by Hurst Nelson. Most recently painted as Anglo American Oil Co Ltd - Pratts Perfection Spirit. Previously restored as No. 745.
'Rotank' flat wagon carrying trailer tankNo. 3030 Beer tank Didcot Railway Centre 20th February 2023.jpg RestoredBuilt in 1947 at Swindon. Most recently painted as Simonds Beer tank.
Goods VanNo. 516673 LMS Diag.2039 No.4166 (46986097351).jpg Restored, used for storageEx-LMS. Purchased from MoD Bicester as 4166 for storage by the locomotive department. Stored beside locomotive workshop at the end of line of unrestored stock.
Goods VanNo. 517791Restored, used for storageEx-LMS. Purchased from MoD Bicester as 4167 for storage by the locomotive department. Stored beside locomotive workshop at the end of line of unrestored stock.
Four wheel 7-plank mineral wagonNo. 10153 TVR four wheel 7-plank tippler 10153.jpg RestoredBuilt by Gloucester RCW. Ex-Taff Vale Railway, only surviving TVR wagon. Most likely 1880s because of the handbrake gear.
Iron MinkNo. 11152 GWR wagon V6 MINK 11152.jpg Restored, not operatingBuilt in 1900 at Swindon.
"Toad" Brake VanNo. 17447Part dismantled, stored under tarpaulinBuilt in 1940 at Swindon.
4 wheel 5-plank open wagonNo. 18553 PO 18553 4w 5-plank wagon.jpg OperationalBuilt in 1927 by Sheffield C&W.
'Mite' Single BolstersNos. 32337 & 32338 GWR 32337 & 32338 single bolsters.jpg Non-operationalBuilt in 1881 at Swindon.
'Coral A' crated glass wagonNo. 41723 GWR wagon D2 CORAL 41723.jpg Awaiting restorationBuilt in 1908 at Swindon.
'Pollen E'Nos 84997-85000 Pollen E.jpg Restored, on loan from National Railway Museum Built in 1909 at Swindon.
'Crocodile F' bogie well trolleyNo. 41934 41934 'Crocodile F' Well Wagon.jpg OperationalBuilt in 1908 at Swindon as Crocodile G, modified 1909 as Crocodile F, Diagram C12. Now rare.
'Hydra D' machinery wagonNo. 42193Stored in openBuilt in 1913 at Swindon. Now rare.
Grain WagonNo. 42239Stored under tarpaulin awaiting re-restorationBuilt in 1927 at Swindon.
'Loriot L' machinery wagonNo. 42271 GW 42271.jpg Built in 1934 at Swindon.
Creosote Tank WagonNo. 43949 GWR 'Tar' No.43949.jpg Built in 1901 at Swindon.
16ton 'Toad' brake vanNo. 56400 GWR wagon AA3 TOAD 56400.jpg Built in 1900 at Swindon. Originally 14-ton but later 16-ton. Stored amongst other stock in staff use, verandah is covered by inside tarpaulin for protection.
20ton 'Toad' brake vanNo. 68684 68684 GWR Toad.jpg RestoredBuilt in 1924 at Swindon
Mink A ventilated vanNo. 101720 GWR MInk A 101720.jpg RestoredBuilt in 1924 at Swindon. "Flour Traffic Only - Return to Wantage Road".
Open A open wagonNo. 117993 GWR 'OPEN A' No.117993.jpg RestoredBuilt in 1930 at Swindon.

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The Great Western Railway (GWR) was a British railway company that linked London with the southwest, west and West Midlands of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling act of Parliament on 31 August 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838 with the initial route completed between London and Bristol in 1841. It was engineered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who chose a broad gauge of 7 ft —later slightly widened to 7 ft 14 in —but, from 1854, a series of amalgamations saw it also operate 4 ft 8+12 in standard-gauge trains; the last broad-gauge services were operated in 1892.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyseley Locomotive Works</span> Railway museum in Birmingham, England

Tyseley Locomotive Works, formerly the Birmingham Railway Museum, is the engineering arm of steam railtour promoter Vintage Trains based in Birmingham, England. It occupies part of the former Great Western Railway's Tyseley depot, built in 1908 to accommodate expanding operations in the West Midlands, particularly the opening of the North Warwickshire Line as a new main line from Birmingham to Bristol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Locomotives of the Great Western Railway</span> List of railway locomotives used by the Great Western Railway

The first Locomotives of the Great Western Railway (GWR) were specified by Isambard Kingdom Brunel but Daniel Gooch was soon appointed as the railway's Locomotive Superintendent. He designed several different 7 ft 14 in broad gauge types for the growing railway, such as the Firefly and later Iron Duke Class 2-2-2s. In 1864 Gooch was succeeded by Joseph Armstrong who brought his standard gauge experience to the workshops at Swindon. To replace some of the earlier locomotives, he put broad gauge wheels on his standard gauge locomotives and from this time on all locomotives were given numbers, including the broad gauge ones that had previously carried just names.

GWR 4073 Class 4079 <i>Pendennis Castle</i>

GWR 4073 "Castle" Class No. 4079 Pendennis Castle is a 4-6-0 steam locomotive built in 1924 for the Great Western Railway (GWR) at Swindon Works to a design of Charles Collett. It was employed on long-distance express passenger trains on the GWR and its successor, British Railways' Western Region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twyford railway station</span> Railway station in Berkshire, England

Twyford railway station serves the large village of Twyford in Berkshire, England. The station is on the Great Western Main Line, 31 miles 1 chain west of London Paddington. It is the junction station for the Henley-on-Thames branch and is served by local services operated by Great Western Railway and Elizabeth line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GWR 5700 Class</span> Class of 0-6-0 pannier tank steam locomotives

The GWR 5700 Class is a class of 0-6-0PT steam locomotive built by the Great Western Railway (GWR) and British Railways (BR) between 1929 and 1950. With 863 built, they were the most prolific class of the GWR, and one of the most numerous classes of British steam locomotive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GWR 2884 Class</span> Class of 2-8-0 steam locomotive

The Great Western Railway (GWR) 2884 Class is a class of 2-8-0 steam locomotive. They were Collett's development of Churchward's earlier 2800 Class and are sometimes regarded as belonging to that class.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newton Abbot railway station</span> Railway station in Devon, England

Newton Abbot railway station serves the market town of Newton Abbot in Devon, England. It is 214 miles 5 chains (345 km) from London Paddington. The station today is managed by Great Western Railway, who provide train services along with CrossCountry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GWR 2800 Class</span>

The Great Western Railway (GWR) 2800 Class is a class of Churchward-designed 2-8-0 steam locomotive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GWR 1361 Class</span>

The 1361 Class were small 0-6-0ST steam locomotives built by the Great Western Railway at their Swindon Works, England, mainly for shunting in docks and other sidings where track curvature was too tight for large locomotives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GWR 7200 Class</span> Class of 2-8-2 tank engines

The Great Western Railway (GWR) 7200 Class is a class of 2-8-2T steam locomotive. They were the only 2-8-2Ts built and used by a British railway, and the largest tank engines to run on the Great Western Railway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GWR 4300 Class</span> Class of 342 two-cylinder 2-6-0 locomotives

The Great Western Railway (GWR) 4300 Class is a class of 2-6-0 (mogul) steam locomotives, designed by G.J. Churchward for mixed traffic duties. 342 were built from 1911–1932.

Wolverhampton railway works was in the city of Wolverhampton in the county of Staffordshire, England. It was almost due north of the city centre, and is commemorated with a small display of level crossing gates and a plaque. Known as the Stafford Road Works, it was opened by the Shrewsbury and Birmingham Railway in 1849 to maintain bought-in locomotives.

GWR 6000 Class 6023 <i>King Edward II</i> Preserved British steam locomotive

Great Western Railway (GWR) 6000 Class 6023 King Edward II is a preserved steam locomotive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GWR 6100 Class</span>

The GWR 6100 Class is a class of 2-6-2T side tank steam locomotives.

GWR 4073 Class 5043 <i>Earl of Mount Edgcumbe</i>

The GWR 4073 Class 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe is a steam locomotive of the GWR 'Castle' Class, built in March 1936. It was originally named Barbury Castle, and was renamed Earl of Mount Edgcumbe in September 1937. It had a double chimney and 4 row superheater fitted in October 1958.

GWR 4073 Class 7027 <i>Thornbury Castle</i> Preserved British 4-6-0 locomotive

7027 Thornbury Castle was built in August 1949. Its first shed allocation was Plymouth Laira. Its March 1959 shed allocation was Old Oak Common. Its last shed allocation was Reading. It was withdrawn in December 1963 and arrived at Woodham Brothers scrapyard in Barry, South Wales in May 1964. The locomotive was not scrapped and was being restored in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laira Traction and Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot</span> Train maintenance facility in South West England

Laira Traction and Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot is a railway traction maintenance depot situated in Plymouth, Devon, England. The depot is operated by Great Western Railway (GWR) and is where their fleet of High Speed Trains are overhauled along with those belonging to CrossCountry. These will be withdrawn in 2023 but it will then become the principal depot for GWR's Class 802 InterCity Express Trains. Other trains visit for daily servicing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moorswater railway station</span> Former railway station in England

Moorswater railway station was the centre of operations for the Liskeard and Caradon Railway and the Liskeard and Looe Railway. The two railways made an end on junction here. It was the site of the lines' engine shed, also a china clay works which is now used as a cement terminal.

GWR 1000 Class 1014 <i>County of Glamorgan</i>

No.1014 County of Glamorgan is a steam locomotive which is under construction as a "new-build" project, based at Didcot Railway Centre in Didcot, Oxfordshire. Unlike most other new-build projects which are underway and are building new members of lost classes like 2007 Prince of Wales and 2999 Lady of Legend it was decided to build a mock of one of the Great Western Railway 1000 or "County" Class engines, the chosen engine being 1014 The project was launched in 2005 with the creation of the 'Three Counties Agreement' between the Great Western Society (GWS) and the Vale of Glamorgan Council saw three members of the Barry 10, all of the being ex-GWR locomotives, and a 3,500-gallon tender being used to help resurrect extinct GWR locomotives. This meant that a GWR 1000 Class No. 1014 County of Glamorgan, GWR 3800 Class No. 3840 County of Montgomery, a GWR 2221 Class tank engine, and a GWR 4700 Class No. 4709 would be constructed from the parts of GWR 2800 Class No. 2861, GWR 5101 Class No. 4115, GWR 5205 Class No. 5227, GWR 6959 Class No. 7927 Willington Hall and LMS 8F No. 48518.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 E.T. Lyons (1979). An Historical Survey of Great Western Engine Sheds: 1837–1947. Oxford Publishing. ISBN   086093019X.
  2. "Latest news – Didcot Railway Centre". Didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
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  4. "Didcot is 'most normal town in England', researchers claim". BBC News. 29 March 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  5. "Entrance Ramp - First Concrete Pour". Didcot Railway Centre. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  6. No. 1 – Bonnie Prince Charlie. Didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk (2007-12-25). Retrieved on 2011-03-02.
  7. No.5 – Shannon/Jane. Didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk (2010-07-11). Retrieved on 2011-03-02.
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  9. https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/57/1014-county-of-glamorgan 1014 County of Glamorgan
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  14. "1466/4866". Didcot Railway Centre. 3 July 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  15. "News Archive - 2013". Didcot Railway Centre. Didcot. 1466 'Now available in Black'. Archived from the original on 19 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
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  20. https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/65/3738-57xx-class 3738
  21. https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/66/3822-2884-class 3822
  22. https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/67/4079-pendennis-castle 4079 Pendennis Castle
  23. https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/70/5051-drysllwyn-castle-earl-bathurst 5051 Drysllwyn Castle
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  28. https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/74/5900-hinderton-hall 5900 Hinderton Hall
  29. https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/75/6023-king-edward-ii 6023 King Edward II
  30. https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/76/6106-61xx-class 6106
  31. https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/77/6697-56xx-class 6697
  32. https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/78/6998-burton-agnes-hall 6998 Burton Agnes Hall
  33. https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/79/7202-72xx-class 7202
  34. https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/80/7808-cookham-manor 7808 Cookham Manor
  35. Fire Fly – 2-2-2. Didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk (2010-11-27). Retrieved on 2011-03-02.
  36. https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/83/22-diesel-railcar GWR Railcar No.22
  37. "DL 26". Didcot Railway Centre. 20 October 2007. Archived from the original on 2 August 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  38. "08 604 "Phantom"". Didcot Railway Centre. 19 August 2010. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
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