Didcot Railway Centre August Bank Holiday Steam Up

The award-winning 2999 entered service in 2019 following a 24-year project to recreate the elegant Edwardian engine; No 29 will be making her final appearance before returning to her home on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway; whilst 1340 is the oldest working Great Western Railway engine having been built in 1897 to work at Newport Docks in South Wales. The diminutive engine returned to service earlier this year after an extensive overhaul costing around £200,000.

As well as taking a ride on the trains, you can see enginemen coaling the locos under the working Coal Stage, watch the engines being turned on the 70-foot turntable and, for those arriving early, witness the engines being readied for the day’s duty in front of the original 1932 Engine Shed (book for a 9.30am or 10.00am arrival).

On the site, you will find painstakingly restored buildings, carriages, and wagons and learn more about the development of railways and how they changed everyday lives. Visitors will also have the chance to get up close to the locomotives in the spacious Engine Shed, which has remained largely unchanged since it was built in 1932.

See the magnificently preserved locomotives – you can even climb onto the footplate of some! A leisurely walk or a trip on our branch line will take you to the Transfer Shed, where you can see the surviving track from Brunel’s Broad Gauge railway with replica locomotives and carriages.

The large, well-ventilated carriage shed will also be open with coaches dating from Victorian times to the 1940s that evoke bygone eras. See the VIP Saloon reputed to have been used by General Eisenhower during the preparations for D-Day and later used in the GWR Royal Train!

Enjoy a snack or light lunch in the Refreshment Rooms and pick up a souvenir from our exclusive range in the Gift Shop.

Select your date and arrival time

You should arrive within your 30-minute time slot and will be welcome to stay all day until we close at 5.00pm.

See the latest pre-arrival advice here.