The only place in the world where 170 years of railway history comes together with a replica 1840 broad gauge train running next to today's high speed railway.
The Railway Centre recreates the golden age of the Great Western Railway with a fine collection of over 20 steam locomotives, many housed in the original engine shed, a collection of passenger coaches and freight wagons.
The collection of locomotives, carriages and wagons at Didcot Railway Centre encapsulates the Great Western Railway’s history and is a great way to educate and entertain today’s generations of all ages in the experience their ancestors had when travelling by train. From the beginning of Queen Victoria’s reign, through the Edwardian zenith of empire, to the world conflicts and quest for speed in the first half of the 20th century, when the railways developed steam power to the ultimate to counter the developing competition from road and air transport.
Didcot Railway Centre brings all this to life in a railway context with the working replica Fire Fly and its broad gauge train of 1840; the late Victorian four-wheeled and clerestory coaches; the Edwardian steam railmotor of 1908; the mighty Castle and King classes of the 1920s and 1930s; the diesel railcar and futuristic gas turbine locomotive of the 1940s. Plus a full supporting cast of freight, mixed traffic and shunting locomotives and the rolling stock they hauled.
It is housed in 23 acres alongside Didcot Parkway railway station. At its heart is the historic engine shed which still has all the apparatus needed to maintain steam locomotives. Three running lines – one of Brunel’s broad gauge – give a taste of travel in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The atmosphere is completed by stations, signal boxes and other original lineside features brought from locations around the GWR system. There is a museum and archive displaying the smaller artefacts and original colourful posters, a Science, Learning and Railways interactive display, the original air raid shelter from 1940, plus shop and refreshment room.
A must for all railway lovers even if you don't know much about trains steam or electric trains it's a absolute must
Trip Advisor Review - April 2012
Excellent for the kids when they have "thomas days" and also a good chunk of history to be seen
Trip Advisor Review - February 2012
A must for GWR fans with some great steam engines and railway memorabilia on display
Trip Advisor Review - February 2012
A great centre for a visit if you like steam engines and other great western railway attefacts.
Trip Advisor Review - January 2012
You get a good feel of the reality of the steam age. Great venue for enthusiasts and non-experts alike - great when they do a Thomas the Tank event.
Trip Advisor Review - December 2011
Great venue for a family visit as well. Plenty to do, and has a cafeteria. Lots of interactive displays for the kids etc.
Trip Advisor Review - May 2011
Peppa Pig & George Visit Didcot Railway Centre!
23 Jun 2012 to 24 Jun 2012
See Peppa Pig & George free with your admission ticket (which includes train rides). Appearing at 11am,
12pm, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm. Open 09:30 - 17:00 (Activities start at 10:00).
Peppa Pig © Astley Baker Davies/Entertainment One UK Limited 2003
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