Didcot Railway Centre |
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The Great Western Railway was incorporated in 1835 to build the railway from Bristol to London and it was designed and engineered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel to be the finest in the land.
Now, at Didcot, half way between Bristol and London, members of the Great Western Society have created a living museum of the Great Western Railway. It is based around the original engine shed and depot to which have 
been added a typical branch line with a country station and signalling demonstrations and a recreation of Brunel's original broad gauge trackwork. There is a large collection of GWR steam locomotives, carriages and wagons. On Steamdays the locomotives come to life and you can ride in the 1930s trains on one or both of the demonstration lines and on special events in our programme on Brunel's broad gauge railway behind a newly built replica of the fire 
Fly locomotive originally built in 1840.
In the Locomotive Works a number of locomotives can be seen in various stages of overhaul including No. 4079 Pendennis Castle, repatriated from Australia in 2000, and King class No. 6023 which is being rebuilt to its pre-1957 condition with a single chimney.
General Information:
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Opening Times
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(2008 times)
Open Saturdays and Sundays all year. Open Daily between the following dates. 16 to 24 February 5 April to 20 April 24 May to 1 June 21 June to 7 September 25 October to 2 November 27 December to 4 January 2009 The Centre opens to visitors at 10.30am. On Summer Weekends and Steamdays it closes at 5.00pm. On Winter Weekends (January, February, November & December) and on Midweek days it closes at 4.00pm. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. SteamdaysOn Steamdays Train rides and some other activities normally start at around 11.00am. Please ring or visit the web site for details of Steamdays and special events, including Day Out with Thomas. |
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Admission Charges
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(2008 prices)
Admission prices for adults vary from £5.00 to £9.50 depending on the event with reductions for children and over 60s and big discounts for families (at most events).Please telephone or visit the web site for details. |
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Directions
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By Road 53 miles west of London, 10 miles south of Oxford. The Railway Centre is signposted from the M4 junction 13 and the A34, and is easily reached from the M40. Parking is readily available near the railway station. Train Information First Great Western Trains serve Didcot Parkway from London, the Thames Valley, Oxford, Bristol, etc. |
| Show map of Didcot Railway Centre... |
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Didcot Railway Centre Postcode for SatNav: OX11 7NJ |
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Nearby Self Catering
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