See the steam trains from the golden age of the Great Western Railway in the original engine shed, with a recreation of Brunel’s broad gauge railway and a typical country branch line.
A fine collection of steam locomotives in the engine shed and depot. There is a reconstruction of Brunel’s original broad guage railway with a replica of the “Fire Fly” locomotive built in 1840 and a country branch line has been created. On Steamdays, there are rides on the steam trains. Follow the Archie the Engine Driver trail to find out what there is to see. See website for dates of Familiy Activities.
The Robot suggests:
Visit the Science, Learning & Railways Exhibition together with a Learning Centre is housed in two railway coaches and includes many interactive exhibits designed to interest and involve visitors in science and engineering. Developed in partnership with three local schools, the Exhibition and Learning Centre is available to schools and colleges to help them to deliver the National Curriculum in science and in a variety of other subjects. The Learning Centre has a flexible layout and can be provided with a range of training aids.
Opening times:
Every Saturdays and Sunday all year
Daily between 27 December to 4 January 2009 (check the website for other dates during 2009)
The Centre opens at 10:30 am
On Summer Weekends and Steamdays closes at 5 pm
On Winter Weekends (January, February, November & December) and Midweek days closes at 4 pm
Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
The entrance to the Railway Centre is at Didcot Parkway railway station – Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 7NJ
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 Car:
The Centre is signposted from the M4 motorway (junction 13) and the A34, and is easily reached from the M40, or you can choose a scenic drive through the Thames Valley or across the Berkshire Downs. Parking is readily available near Didcot Parkway railway station.
Please note that the road signs direct you to the main station car park. The route from this car park to the station entrance is over a footbridge and involves two long flights of steps and a walk of around half a mile to reach the station entrance.
By Train:
Didcot Parkway – First Great Western trains with direct services from London Paddington, Reading and Thames Valley, Oxford, the Midlands, Swindon, Bath, Bristol and South Wales.
By Bus:
Oxford Bus Company from Oxford and Abingdon (daily)
Thames Travel from Wallingford (daily except Sundays and Bank Holidays)
Address:
Didcot Railway Centre, Didcot, OX11 7NJ (Map)
TEL: +44 (0) 1235-817200
FAX: +44 (0) 1235-510621
E-MAIL: [email protected]
Website:
www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk