Steam Into Christmas
Help Santa find his missing reindeer! Explore our 21 acre site to find each of Santa's lost reindeer, culminating in a visit to the grotto to meet Santa.
Living Museum of the Great Western Railway
Welcome to Didcot Railway Centre
Explore the unique collection of Great Western Railway steam locomotives, carriages, wagons, buildings and small artefacts at our 21 acre living museum set around the original 1932 Engine Shed
The Railway Centre is closed over the weekend of 9/10 November
What's Happening Soon...
For a full schedule of events see our calendar page:
Full Calendar
We are open only on days indicated by coloured blocks and closed on days shown as grey or blank.
Latest Information - Wed 6 Nov 2024
Buy a Gift and Virgin Experience Vouchers
Buy a Gift and Virgin Experience Vouchers can be used on yellow or purple days on our calendar. To visit using your voucher please email us with the voucher code, the date you'd like to visit and a contact number and we will send you an email confirmation.
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE CLOSED THIS COMING WEEKEND 9TH AND 10TH NOVEMBER 2024. OUR NEXT DISCOVERY DAYS ARE 16TH AND 17TH NOVEMBER.
Swindon Panel
Swindon Panel will be open on the following dates:-
November 16, 23, 30, December 1
Next Open Days
Next Steam Days -January 1
Next Discovery Days - November 16/17, 23/24
Special Events coming up:
Steam into Christmas - November 30, December 1, 7/8, 14/15, 21/22/23
The Railway Centre is currently closed Monday - Friday. We are also closed for the weekend of 9/10 November.
Last Admission: 2.30pm on all open days
What's Next
Steam Days
Unlimited steam train rides. Explore our 21 acre living museum and experience 200 years of railway heritage
Discovery Days
With no trains running, explore our 21 acre living museum at leisure and get close to our exhibits
A Christmas Carol - performed by Gerald Dickens
17th December - A one man theatrical performance. Mulled wine and mince pie included.
Plan Your Visit
Getting here, loco roster, 10 things not to miss and accessibility information.
Visitors' Views
A Grand pre-Christmas Day Out! - We took our family of two couples, and 5 grandchildren (5 to 6/12 old) and us grandparents to the pre-Christmas Reindeer and Santa day on 23rd December. It exceeded our expectations throughout, and although we had been to the centre previously, there wasn't a moment of disappointment!
From the initial welcome, to the ease of boarding the train, collecting all the 'stamps' on the 'passport' for each child - accompanied by great presents (not trashy items as in crackers, but really appreciated children's gifts) - and the final meeting off Santa with an even more exciting present to collect from the carriage, it was all perfect! Despite it being a rainy day off and on, we enjoyed great hot chocolates and lunches in the canteen along with the brilliant silver band accompaniment.
This was a day out that will be remembered by our grandchildren for many years to come, and we want to thank all the volunteer staff who put it on, and say out was exceptional value for money after all!
- Tim - December 2022
Latest News
Help preserve our unique Grade II listed 1932 Engine Shed for future generations
How you can help to repair the centrepiece of Didcot Railway Centre
Brunel’s Descendants Help with Building Restoration
A visit from Jim and Zeb Noble
New Visitor Entrance Ramp formally opened
Lord Peter Hendy officiates.
Join Us and Get Involved
We have around 4,000 members including over 250 active volunteers who help run the Centre.
The Great Western Society
Didcot Railway Centre is the home of the Great Western Society
Members' Area
Members' Area
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Didcot Railway Centre Newsletter
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