Locomotive Turntable

Turntable

The Turntable, situated beyond the Engine Shed, is used to ensure that tender locomotives in particular are facing in the direction of travel.

The current Turntable is on the site of the 1932 Great Western one but is a replacement table, as the original had been removed by British Rail before the Great Western Society arrived at Didcot.

The Turntable is 70 feet (21m) long and is capable of accommodating the largest tender engines. It is operated by hand either directly by pushing on extension levers or by operating a geared winding mechanism

A locomotive will often be turned on Gala Days and Special Events, and the Turntable is also occasionally used to turn locomotives from visiting excursion trains. The Turntable is adjacent to, and easily viewed from, the Picnic Area.

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