Didcot Railway Centre 25th October 2008

A first visit to the world class steam centre at Didcot for the upkeep of some of the most marvelous Great Western locos around.

The film begins with mostly upcloses of Didcot's engines most of them awaiting overhaul.
Along with additional shots of 6023 King Edward II being restored to single chimney condition, and County Class 1014 County of Glamorgan being built from scratch. Both 6023 and 4079 were boilerless as they were under heavy overhaul. Saint Class 2229 Lady of Legend was having her cab refitted. The replica of Sir Daniel Gooche's broadgauge loco the Firefly makes a fine sight in its broadgauge shed.

The two locos steaming at Didcot, 3650 in Stephenson Clarke Ltd livery which it carried when it worked with a private colliery company at Gwaun-cae-Gurwen in South Wales, where it spent six years untill purchased by the GWS in 1969.

3738 in GWR wartime black livery. 3650 hauls the auto trailer service on the branchline section, while 3738 races along the mainline along side a rather interesting successor the FGW HST service! The pair old and new make an interesting sight not often seen on camera!

This was quite possibally the most exepensive film to make, mainly due to travel, addmission and hospitality at Didcot but was well worth the long, far journey.

This also gets me waiting in patience wanting to use wide angle lens. Where are they Dave??!

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• didcot
• railway
• centre
• great
• western
• society
• branchline
• mainline

[justandy333]

Nice video mate. Were u there for the 175 celebrations? Its was a brilliant day. An empty shed, lots of activity and visitors. I've long admired your work.

[GreatWestern175]

@justandy333 No but I plan to go there on sunday though depending on weather.

[tommygrules4life]

why is the pannier tank blue?

[GreatWestern175]

That was what she carried when she worked for Stephenson Clarke Ltd back in 1963 till 1969. Didcot decided to put her back in that livery after a long period of restoration, its now currently in GWR green.

[robmasterman]

Another excellent production Ryan, I was going to visit but pulled out when the 5043 trip was cancelled and the 6024 was also aborted. So thanks for going and sharing..saved me a fortune..ha..ha!..5*..Bob

[GreatWestern175]

Ah no problem, It did cost me £36 for by railcard in advance from Exeter to Didcot and return. But seeing as 5043 wasn't gunna come I decided to visit Didcot anyway seeing that I havn't been there before. I will return there again but mainly in the summer when theres more going on.

[Spannyrox98]

hehe... my birthday :D

[60103Henry]

Love the shot of the pannier overtakeing the HST!!! :)

[No1RailwayEnthusiast]

Great Vid

[No1Tubefan]

Fantastic Video, The Didcot Railway Centre looks good and I plan to visit it in 2009 some time.

[howarth004]

good filming great shots

[PhilipGriffin1234]

Some neat work here Ryan. Suprisingly for me, I wasn't particularly blown away by Didcot when I visited it last a couple of years ago. Nevermind, some great stuff here mate! Top notch!