News

Former Chairman awarded MBE

14/06/2025 @ 09:18:00 - Richard Croucher is awarded Membership of the Order of the British Empire in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours

Heritage Fund support for historic Engine Shed restoration

02/04/2025 @ 07:52:00 - Development funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Steam Legends Unite at Didcot Railway Centre

08/02/2025 @ 08:45:00 - 'Flying Scotsman' and 'Pendennis Castle' Together Again!

Help preserve our unique Grade II listed 1932 Engine Shed for future generations

12/09/2024 @ 18:22:00 - How you can help to repair the centrepiece of Didcot Railway Centre

Brunel’s Descendants Help with Building Restoration

18/06/2024 @ 08:47:00 - A visit from Jim and Zeb Noble

New Visitor Entrance Ramp formally opened

29/04/2024 @ 19:32:00 - Lord Peter Hendy officiates.

Lancs and Yorks Tank arrives for May Events

29/04/2024 @ 19:09:00 - Come and See No. 752 at Didcot

National Railway Heritage Awards

12/12/2023 @ 14:25:00 - Coal Stage water tank refurbishment - highly commended

Prairie Tank Engine 5199 to visit Didcot Railway Centre in February 2024

13/12/2023 @ 11:47:00 - See a unique line-up of 41xx, 51xx and 61xx locomotives

Ramp Progress

02/12/2023 @ 15:05:00 - 1 December - Shuttering comes down to reveal the first walls cast

Entrance Ramp - First Concrete Pour

06/11/2023 @ 10:19:00 - Progress as of 5th November, with the first major concrete pour

Pitchford Hall arrives for Gala

15/09/2023 @ 15:43:00 - Our latest visitor is delivered to Didcot West Yard

Entrance Ramp Work Begins

12/09/2023 @ 08:42:00 - Contractors begin excavations on Monday 11 September

'Off The Rails'

07/04/2023 @ 09:46:00 - But don't worry - it's only our new brand of beer!

Furness Railway Number 20 to visit Didcot

12/02/2023 @ 08:37:00 - Oldest working steam locomotive visits at Easter

A Western Locomotive for Didcot

27/01/2023 @ 14:04:00 - A long term loan of No 1023 "Western Fusilier" by the NRM

Four Restored Castles Come Together For One Day Only

26/01/2023 @ 07:42:00 - Save the Date - 4th March 2023

Coal Stage conservation update

12/10/2022 @ 14:52:00 - Phase one of the Coal Stage conservation is completed

7027 Thornbury Castle - 26-Sep-22

26/09/2022 @ 12:07:00 - GWS Statement Regarding the Purchase of 7027 THORNBURY CASTLE

Coal Stage conservation update

30/05/2022 @ 14:23:00 - Water Jetting Complete

New Old Coach for Didcot Railway Centre

09/05/2022 @ 08:48:00 - We are pleased to have taken delivery of GWR Coach No. 820

Multiple Awards at the Heritage Railway Association ceremony

12/04/2022 @ 10:19:00 - Two significant awards (and a runner-up!)

Coal Stage Conservation and Repairs Begin

21/02/2022 @ 07:50:00 - Scaffolding surrounds the 1932 structure

4079 Pendennis Castle moves under her own steam

13/02/2022 @ 09:49:00 - For the first time since 1994

USA Loco Makes Tracks To Didcot for Celebrations

10/07/2021 @ 13:59:00 - Having 6040 in action at Didcot will recall the days when six of the gargantuan American-built locos were based at Didcot in 1943-44

Centenarian Steams In for the Summer Season

30/06/2021 @ 14:09:00 - Veteran 0-6-2T, No. 29, has moved from its home shed at Grosmont on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to Didcot Railway Centre for the summer season

1897-built “Trojan” Returns to Steam and Becomes the Oldest Working Great Western Railway Locomotive

16/04/2021 @ 11:14:00 - May 1 will see diminutive 0-4-0ST “Trojan” return to service at Didcot Railway Centre at a ceremony to be performed by local MP, David Johnston OBE.

1466 On Track to Steam for Great Western Society Diamond Jubilee

17/04/2021 @ 09:18:00 - Work on the Great Western Society’s first locomotive, No 1466, is continuing

Didcot Railway Centre to receive £114,015 Culture Recovery Fund

02/04/2021 @ 00:05:00 - Didcot Railway Centre has received a grant of £114,015 from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help the organisation recover and reopen.

Longstanding Volunteer Frank Scoops Unsung Hero Award

08/03/2021 @ 16:13:00 - Didcot Railway Centre’s volunteer photographer, Frank Dumbleton, was named an “Unsung Hero” at Tourism South East’s prestigious Beautiful South Awards

Railway Centre Gets Back On Track

26/02/2021 @ 14:46:00 - The Centre will reopen in mid-April following the Government’s announcement of the roadmap out of lockdown.

Volunteer Frank Shortlisted for Tourism Award

21/01/2021 @ 08:56:00 - One of Didcot Railway Centre’s longest-standing volunteers has been shortlisted in the prestigious Beautiful South Awards

New Directors to Strengthen Great Western Society Board

24/11/2020 @ 10:13:00 - The Great Western Society, the Charity that runs Didcot Railway Centre, today announces the appointment of two additional Trustees to augment the experience and expertise of the Board.

Centre's Heritage set to Inspire Contemporary Artists

16/11/2020 @ 11:54:00 - The Centre is one of six museums and heritage sites have been selected to work in partnership with artists to commission a new work of art inspired by each venue.

National Accolade for Railway Centre

12/10/2020 @ 10:14:00 - Didcot Railway Centre’s unique Great Western Railway 'Saint' Class locomotive has received a highly commended accolade in the prestigious Museums + Heritage Awards 2020

Two Remarkable Survivors Feature in Bank Holiday Steam Up

22/08/2020 @ 13:33:00 - Didcot Railway Centre will provide a real treat for visitors over the August Bank Holiday as two of the living museum’s flagship locomotives – each with a fascinating story – will be in action on Saturday 29, Sunday 30 and Monday 31 August.

National recognition for volunteer Frank

06/07/2020 @ 14:15:00 - Volunteer Frank Dumbleton has been presented a Certificate of Appreciation from the national Museums & Heritage Awards.

Mayor and Local MP Make Tracks To Railway Centre for Re-Opening

06/07/2020 @ 13:57:00 - Didcot Mayor, Eleanor Hards, Deputy Mayor, Mocky Khan, and Local MP David Johnston OBE were amongst more than 300 visitors who made tracks to Didcot Railway Centre for the living museum’s re-opening weekend on 4 and 5 July.

Caledonian Sleeper Arrives at Didcot!

19/05/2020 @ 09:48:00 - A carriage once used on the prestigious Caledonian Sleeper from London to the Scottish Highlands has arrived at Didcot Railway Centre

Heritage Railway Centre Helps Network Rail Combat Coronavirus Cancellations

02/04/2020 @ 11:39:00 - Didcot Railway Centre and Swindon Panel Society are proud to be helping Network Rail during this Coronavirus period

GWS receives HRA Award for recreation of the Saint

24/02/2020 @ 10:03:00 - Heritage Railway Association, Chairman's award goes to GWS team

MP Makes Tracks to Didcot

18/02/2020 @ 11:16:00 - Recently elected MP for Wantage, David Johnston visits Didcot Railway Centre

Lifetime Achievement Award for Former GWS Chairman, Richard Croucher

04/01/2020 @ 10:23:00 - Richard is to receive The Railway Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award for services to Railway Preservation

GWS adopts twin track approach to audience development

21/11/2019 @ 18:42:00 - Embarking on a programme of audience development to increase visitor numbers to Didcot Railway Centre, widen the access to the collection and extend the reach of its activities

The Story of the Lady of Legend

29/06/2019 @ 16:49:00 - The book you have been waiting for

TripAdvisor - Hall of Fame Award

27/05/2019 @ 18:26:00 - Didcot Railway Centre Gains TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, Hall of Fame Award

Pendennis Castle Day - 25th May 2019

17/05/2019 @ 18:51:00 - We're having a ‘Pendennis Castle’ day at Didcot Railway Centre

Saint Launches on April 5th 2019

27/03/2019 @ 18:23:00 - Newly-rebuilt locomotive to be launched at Didcot Railway Centre

Locomotive No. 4079 - Pendennis Castle

27/03/2019 @ 16:44:00 - An update on the latest progress with the overhaul

Emma Jhita appointed as Chief Executive

04/03/2019 @ 18:28:00 - Great Western Society Limited appoints its first Chief Executive

Prue Leith to launch 'Lady of Legend'

13/02/2019 @ 19:24:00 - Friday 5th April at 11:15am

Two Class 14 Diesels for Mayday Weekend event

11/02/2019 @ 10:40:00 - D9551 to visit from Severn Valley Railway

1450 to visit for the summer

04/01/2019 @ 18:50:00 - Collett 0-4-2 of 1935 to visit from late April

GWS original locomotive goes away for contract overhaul

07/12/2018 @ 18:45:00 - 1466 to be in steam for 60th anniversary

Didcot First - Business and Community Awards

18/10/2018 @ 18:57:00 - Didcot Railway Centre in Two Finals!

Jon Barlow swaps his Billy Can for a Suit

03/10/2018 @ 18:21:00 - Driver to Director