2010 marks the 175th anniversary of the creation of the Great Western Railway. A series of special events will take place across the region to celebrate this milestone in railway history.
More information about events around the UK can be found on the Official GWR 175 Website.
The Great Western Society is not responsible for the content of external web sites.
As the ‘spiritual home’ of Great Western Railway preservation we are naturally arranging some suitably impressive events to commemorate the anniversary. More is being added to the events all the time, so this page will be updated over the coming months as details are agreed.
Please note that all attractions and visiting locomotives are subject to change in the event of unforeseen circumstances, and that locomotives and attractions may not be present for the entirety of any event. More detailed listings will be available nearer the time of the events.
A nine day celebration of 175 years of the Great Western Railway featuring the largest gathering of GWR locomotives in modern times.
The Centre will open at 10:30 on all days of the event (except Saturday 8 when it opens earlier, see below). It closes at 17:00 with last admission at 16:30 (except on Saturday 1, see below).
The programme is indicative of those locomotives which are intended to be steamed, but the Great Western Society is unable to guarantee that a specific locomotive will be in steam on any given day.
| Saturday 1 May - Great Western through the years | |
|---|---|
| On the main line: 3717, 5029, 5322, 7827, 9466 (with GWR main line coaches 1289 and 7372 – plus 9002 from noon – 2.00pm) |
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| On the branch line: 1450, 5521 (with auto-trailers 190 and 231). | |
| Sunday 2 May - Great Western through the years | |
| On the main line: 3717, 5029, 5322, 7827, 9466 (with GWR main line coaches 1289 and 7372 – plus 9002 from noon – 2.00pm) |
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| On the branch line: 1450, 5521 (with auto-trailers 190 and 231). | |
| Monday 3 May - Great Western through the years | |
| On the main line: 3717, 5029, 5322, 7827, 9466 (with GWR main line coaches 1289 and 7372 – plus 9002 from noon – 2.00pm) |
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| On the branch line: 1450, 5521 (with auto-trailers 190 and 231). | |
| Tuesday 4 May - Preservation Pioneers | |
| Locomotives in steam: 1340, 1450, 3717, 7827 (all preserved in the pioneering days) |
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| Wednesday 5 May - Cambrian Coast | |
| Locomotives in steam: 3650, 5521, 7827, 9466 (with 5521 and 7827 double-heading as used to be practised on the Cambrian Coast line). |
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| Thursday 6 May - Vintage Engines | |
| Locomotives in steam: 1338, 1450, 3717, 5322 (all built in the 19th or early 20th century, apart from 1450 which merely looks as if it was!) |
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| Friday 7 May - Tank Engines | |
| Locomotives in steam: 1450, 3738, 5521, 9466 (featuring pannier, small prairie and auto-train tank engines – some of the most recognisable and well-loved GWR classes). |
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| Saturday 8 May - Lighting up | |
| On the main line: 3717, 5029, 5322, 7827, 9466 (with GWR main line coaches 1289 and 7372 – plus 9002 from noon – 2.00pm) |
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| On the branch line: 1450, 5521 (with auto-trailers 190 and 231). | |
| Sunday 9 May - The finale | |
| On the main line: 3717, 5029, 5322, 7827, 9466 (with GWR main line coaches 1289 and 7372 – plus 9002 from noon – 2.00pm) |
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| On the branch line: 1450, 5521 (with auto-trailers 190 and 231). | |
Special GWR 175 Days at Didcot - Visit the event, ride on the footplates of at least four locomotives, guided tour with privileged access, lunch etc. Available from Tuesday 4 to Friday 7 May, at a cost of £140 + £25 each for up to two guests - (Special GWR 175 Days at Didcot now FULLY BOOKED).
City of Truro is appearing courtesy of the National Railway Museum. Transport courtesy of Andrew Goodman.
Locomotive 5521 - on loan courtesy of Bill Parker.
The Great Western Society is not responsible for the content of external web sites.
Some of our more unusual rolling stock will be in use and locomotives will be displayed around the centre giving unusual photographic opportunities. The Centre will open late on Saturday night with some areas floodlit to offer further challenges to the photographer!