Opening Times & Special Events 2020 - DidcotRailwayCentre.org.uk 01235 817200 - Didcot Railway Centre
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n Ra ilw ay
the Gr ea t We ste r
Liv ing Mu se um of
Opening Times &
Special Events
2020
DidcotRailwayCentre.org.uk
01235 817200
Operated by the Great Western Society
Calendar 2020 Steam Days
Special Events
Discovery Days
Day Out With Thomas™
Spring Exhibition Days
The Centre is open on days with a coloured background –
Steam Into Christmas
match the colour to the information panels in this booklet to
plan your visit.
January February March April
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2 3
Discovery Days
Explore this 21-acre living museum and unearth almost two
centuries of railway history. Stroll through the original 1932
engine shed and see magnificent preserved locomotives – you
can even climb onto the footplates of some! See surviving
track from Brunel’s broad gauge railway, discover painstakingly
restored buildings, coaches and wagons and learn more about
the development of railways and how they changed lives.
There’s a chance to get hands-on in the Science of Railways
carriages and the signalling centre where you can find out how
trains have been controlled through the ages. Descend into a
shelter built to keep Didcot’s enginemen safe in World War Two
and experience an air raid, or immerse yourself in the varied
collection of fascinating, smaller artefacts in the museum.
Children can let off steam in the outdoor play area, make tracks
to the indoor toy train sets or dress up as a station master.
You can relax over lunch or enjoy a snack in the refreshment
rooms and don’t forget to pick up a souvenir in the gift shop.
The modern trains running past the Centre complete the picture
and mean you can experience 180 years of railway progress in
just one day!
Open 10.30am – 4.00pm, last admission 3.30pm
Spring Exhibition Days
There’s plenty to see undercover in the locomotive shed,
historic carriage display, signalling centre and Science of
Railways carriages plus hot drinks and lunches in the cosy
refreshment rooms.
Open 10.30am – 4.00pm, last admission 3.30pm
4 5
Steam Days
Travel back in time to the golden age of the Great Western In addition, all the attractions of a Discovery Day are open and
Railway and savour the sights, sounds and smells of steam as there’s also a chance to get hands-on and control trains using
you explore this 21-acre living museum with trains dating from the 1960s technology of the Swindon Panel. The equipment,
Victorian times to the 1960s. once at the heart of Swindon signalbox has been saved and
restored so, guided by one of our experts, you can keep trains
Steam trains will be operating on at least one of the Centre’s running safely and to time on a virtual Great Western mainline!
two demonstration lines, allowing you to take unlimited rides.
On many days, the second line will be running too and may Open 10.30am – 5.00pm*, last admission 3.30pm
feature our unique steam railmotor, a pioneering diesel *4.00pm in Jan, Feb and Oct
railcar, a heritage diesel locomotive or a small branchline
steam engine. Book tickets online for a 10% discount.
6 7
Group Visits The Centre is an ideal location for a group outing. Members of your party can explore under their own steam or book a tour with one of our knowledgeable guides. A range of snacks, light lunches and hot or cold drinks are available from the refreshment rooms and can be booked in advance for the group or purchased individually on the day – you can even arrange cream tea aboard one of the Centre’s historic steam trains. 8 9
Special Events Sat 20 & Sun 21 Jun
Midsummer Festival of Family Fun
Our varied line-up of special events has something to suit all A host of activities including a
tastes, from enthusiasts to children and from social historians Teddy Bears’ picnic, children’s
to railway modellers! See our website for full details and the entertainment, 80th birthday
latest information. Book tickets online for a 10% discount. celebrations for Railcar No 22 and
special events for Dads on Father’s Day.
Sat 15 & Sun 16 Feb | Delivering the Goods Sat 11 & Sun 12 Jul | Railway Modellers’ Weekend
Special demonstration freight trains recall the days when goods Demonstrations and masterclasses from modelling experts,
traffic was more important to the railways than passengers. model railways on display and the chance for modellers to
Two steam and two diesel locomotives in action. measure and photograph our buildings and vehicles.
Sat 7 & Sun 8 Mar | Day Out With Thomas™ Sat 25 & Sun 26 Jul | Sixties Weekend
Peep peep! Join Thomas & Friends for Relive the final days of steam and the introduction of “modern”
a day of family fun. Make tracks diesels, come dressed in the distinctive fashions of the era and
to a Day Out With Thomas™, dance to a live band playing new-fangled “pop” music.
the ultimate Thomas & Friends
experience, for a special 75th Sat 29, Sun 30 & Mon 31 Aug | Bank Holiday Steam-Up
anniversary party with Three or more steam engines. Passenger and goods trains,
Thomas the Tank Engine. double-heading, turntable demonstrations and more.
Thomas and The Fat Controller are Sat 19 & Sun 20 Sep | Victorian Weekend
coming all the way from the Island of Sodor for a day of family Ride in genuine Victorian carriages, see
fun as we celebrate 75 years of discovery, adventure and Brunel’s surviving broad-gauge track
friendship with Thomas & Friends. and replicas of Iron Duke and Fire Fly
Day Out With Thomas™ © 2019 Gullane (Thomas) Limited. © 2019 Mattel. All rights reserved. – the high speed trains of their era –
and meet award-winning re-enactors
Fri 10, Sat 11, Sun 12 & Mon 13 Apr the Ragged Victorians portraying life
Railcar Rendezvous as it was for the lower classes.
Come and witness the extraordinary Sat 3 & Sun 4 Oct
spectacle of four railcars in action Day Out With Thomas™
side-by-side as our unique steam
Thomas and The Fat Controller return – see 7 & 8 March
railmotor and pioneering diesel
for details.
railcar are joined by a splendid
Edwardian petrol-electric railcar and a Sat 31 Oct & Sun 1 Nov | Hallowe’en Fun
distinctive German-built diesel railbus. Enjoy a range of spooky activities plus dramatic lighting, special
effects and plenty of steam creating the perfect Hallowe’en
Fri 8, Sat 9 & Sun 10 May | Bank Holiday Steam-Up
atmosphere.
Three or more steam engines. Coal stage demonstrations,
double-headed trains and more. Sat 5, Sun 6, Sat 12, Sun 13,
Sat 19, Sun 20, Tue 22 &
Sat 23, Sun 24 & Mon 25 May | Bank Holiday Steam-Up
Wed 23 Dec
Three or more steam engines. Engine shed loco line up, Steam Into Christmas
turntable demonstrations and more.
Take a steam train ride
Sun 31 May | Historic Transport Rally to meet Father Christmas
in a wonderfully decorated
Vintage omnibuses, charabancs, cars, trucks and vans will
festive station.
descend on Didcot to create a colourful spectacle.
10 11
For Kids Schools
The Centre is an amazing place for kids to explore and spark A visit offers pupils an exciting and unique opportunity to visit
their curiosity and imagination. There’s a special children’s trail a living museum, where they can learn, and gain hands-on
highlighting things to do on site including interactive displays experience, related to a variety of topics in Key Stages 1, 2 and
in the Science of Railways carriages and the signalling centre. 3 of the National Curriculum.
There’s also the chance to see giant locomotives close up in
the engine shed, let off steam in the play area, dress up as a Specially developed educational packages are brought to life by
station master or guard in the booking office, use the traditional the Centre’s expert guides and include the chance to see and
platform ticket machine in the Museum or take cover in the handle artefacts. Popular topics include:
air raid shelter and hear the warning sirens and the sound of
bombs falling all around.
• The Victorians & Early Railways featuring how navvies built
the railways, a chance to climb aboard a replica 1840s
Don’t miss the extra entertainment on many special events
broad-gauge train, travel in vintage carriages and how the
days or the Summer of S.T.E.A.M. from 25 July to 31 August
railways changed everyday Victorian life.
featuring Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths
themed activities across five weeks including The Mechanicals • World War Two including being evacuated to safety aboard a
– an interactive exhibition demonstrating pulleys, levers, gears, steam train, surviving an attack in our original air raid shelter
ratchets and more, alongside fascinating and beautifully- and rationing and wartime life.
crafted automata that utilise the basic mechanisms. • A Trip to The Seaside for pre-school pupils.
• Engineering and Technology for older students.
12 13
Experiences
Pull on your overalls and climb
into the cab of one of our
full-size steam locomotives
under the expert guidance
of our experienced footplate
supervisors. Whether you
want to realise a childhood
ambition, find a memorable
birthday treat, celebrate a
special anniversary, entertain
corporate guests or undertake
an unusual team building activity, we
have a Railway Experience that’s just the ticket!
Railway Experience Day
On this unforgettable day, you will take the controls of a full-size
locomotive at the head of a private passenger train on the
Centre’s main demonstration line. Whether it’s shovelling coal
to feed the fire, giving a short blast on the whistle, applying
steam power or braking gently, our expert footplate crew will
show you the art of firing and driving and you’ll have plenty of
practice during your time on the footplate.
VIP Day - behind the scenes & footplate taster
Join us for a very special look behind the scenes on one of
our Steam Days. You will have access to areas that are not
normally on public view, including a ride on the footplate of the
locomotives in action on the day of your visit.
Contact Us
Didcot Railway Centre, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 7NJ
01235 817200 | info@DidcotRailwayCentre.org.uk
DidcotRailwayCentre.org.uk
Didcot Railway Centre is operated by the Great Western Society Limited,
Registered Charity number 272616
The Queen’s Award
for Voluntary Service
The MBE for volunteer groups
14 15
n Ra ilw ay
the Gr ea t We ste r
Liv ing Mu se um of
How to find us
Didcot is 53 miles west of London, 10 miles south of Oxford
and almost halfway between London and Bristol on Brunel’s
original Great Western Railway.
By Train
There are regular services to Didcot Parkway from London, the
southwest, the Midlands and the North – see nationalrail.co.uk
By Bus
Local buses stop at Didcot Parkway station – see
travelinesoutheast.org.uk
By Car
The Centre is signposted from the M4 (junction 13) and the
A34, follow the white on brown signs to Didcot Railway Centre.
There is ample car parking at the main station car park
accessed via Foxhall Road and Basil Hill Road. The car park
entrance can be located using turkey.newlywed.audio on the
What3Words.com website – please see their website for more
details and to download the app.
On Arrival
The entrance to the Railway Centre is through the ticket hall
and original steam age subway of Didcot Parkway railway
station. Please advise the GWR ticket barrier staff at the
mainline station that you are visiting Didcot Railway Centre and
they will open the barriers to allow you access. (You will need to
show your Railway Centre tickets when you exit the main station
after your visit).
Accessibility
The old-style flight of stairs from the subway leads to the
Railway Centre entrance and ticket office. Visitors with limited
mobility and wheelchair users should consult the Accessibility
Page on our website when planning a visit or call 01235
817200 for further information.
DIDCOT
RAILWAY
CENTRE
DIDCOT PARKWAY
CAR PARK
STATION ENTRANCE
Disabled Parking
B4493 Station Road
A4130
Wallingford
A34 / M4
& Henley
Prince of Wales
Note: All car parks are pay & display Public House
Didcot Railway Centre, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 7NJ
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