Great Western Engines at Didcot...

Hi folks. Today, after such a long time away, I welcomed the presence of the slightest feeling of normality as I joined Phil and a few other friends for a day out with steam. Our destination was Didcot Railway Centre, home of the Great Western Society and its wonderful collection of copper capped locomotives. Phil had mentioned the plan to visit Didcot a few weeks before and so, with nothing else to do, I thought "Why not?". After a pleasant run down the M40, I joined the A34 and eventually arrived in the car park at around 10:30. The railway centre is situated within a triangle of busy main lines, meaning that access is gained via a subway from the main Didcot Parkway station. Having paid and displayed, I wandered steadily down towards the station in good time for my 11:00 allotted entrance time. A wisp of steam in the distance was followed by the sight of Large Prairie No4144 departing enthusiastically from the platform on the museums main demo line. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the museum was operating a staggered entrance policy at half hourly intervals but they did kindly let me in ten minutes early. After meeting with Phil and the gang, we wandered towards Didcots evocative engine shed where the majority of the collection are housed...

I was on my third visit to Didcot today and on all three occasions I've found the shed to be brimming with atmosphere. Although all of the engines we saw indoors are currently out of ticket, their very presence seems to bring the past to life. The first engine was of a very familiar design: 5700 Class pannier tank No3738 of 1937...

Standing impressively behind the pannier tank was His Majesty The King. Yes, it was Didcots impossible dream: No6023 "King Edward II", known in recent years as the 'Blue King'. The beautiful blue beast retired in September last year following expiry of her boiler ticket and now awaits her turn in the overhaul queue. A nice touch was the return of the original chimney and safety valve bonnet which were sadly removed when the engine was cut down for possible main line trials a few years ago. For me, the cosmetic changes totally ruined the look of the engine and gave the impression of a severe military haircut! Now back in her full form, she looks quite wonderful; the very symbol of power and elegance. Very nice indeed...

As I said above, Didcot has a wonderful collection of Western engines and most types are represented. You name it: there's a pair of Halls, a Manor, a pair of Castles, a trio of Prairies, a heavy freight 2-8-0 and so on. On the third of the four roads we found a set of steps leading up into the cab of Hall Class No5900 "Hinderton Hall" of 1931. Safe to say we just had to explore the cab...

As we made our way out towards the shed frontage, I looked back to take a going away shot of the engines on the third road. It was quite a line up...

I've always liked Great Western. There are those in the movement that come out with the same old one liners: "There's only one Great Western and that's the North Western" etc. I particularly enjoy that phrase as most of those who spout it have never crewed a North Western engine. Now I'm not knocking North Western: they made some beautiful stuff: but I do question the validity of that phrase. The GWR made a particular effort to make their workhorses beautiful, with even the humblest of tank engines receiving the characteristic brass embellishments and cab side plates. They're just lovely things. As we wandered down through the site, we came towards the second of the demonstration lines: the branch line. Here, the sweet little "Trojan" was simmering quietly at the head of a rake of wagons. "Trojan", built in 1897, has recently returned to service following a period of overhaul and looked quite a picture...

It wasn't long before "Trojan"s crew arose from their station bench to propel the short freight train back to the transfer shed, which was our next destination. The transfer shed rests at the end of the site and contains the broad gauge engines...

The transfer shed contained "Fire Fly" and "Iron Duke", both replicas of Daniel Gooch designs built for Brunels 7ft (broad) gauge railway. "Fire Fly" has spent its life at Didcot but it was very nice to see the larger "Iron Duke" (part of the National Collection). "Iron Duke" was built in 1985 using components from two Austerity tank engines to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Great Western railway. Both of them are quite imposing due to their great width and are very impressive to see...

Leaving the transfer shed behind, we wandered back towards the turntable where the Large Prairie Tank No4144 was being turned to the delight of onlookers. 4144 had been on the main demo line for most of the day and had now been replaced by little "Trojan". The Prairie seemed to glide around on the manually operated table...

Fair play to the guys, they kept on pushing!...

Outside the shed there was a small line up of saddle tanks...

Our next stop was the coaling stage to see the little trucks used to replenish bunkers and tenders at Didcot. 4144 had just taken a truck worth before moving forward for disposal on the pit road. We were then treated to Phil Bates' rendition of 'Coal Stages Through The Ages' as he absolutely loves a history chat...

4144 beds down for the night on the pit road near the coal stage...

Before heading for home we watched "Trojan" bark up and down a bit on the main demo line. I used the picture I took of her with the wonderful passenger coaches as the title image so I've chucked in another of her on the branch line earlier in the day...

With that, as closing time neared, it was time to hit the A34 and fly back up towards home. It was so nice to get back out again and to see a few steamers at work. The Great Western Society has a fantastic collection and Didcot is always worth a stroll around. Thank you Phil and the gang for the invitation and the company. Hopefully a return to the footplate soon beckons! Take care all, until next time, Sam...