The Pumpkin Express - Steam Days
Unlimited steam train rides. Explore our 21-acre living museum, experience 200 years of railway heritage and enjoy a day of Halloween fun.
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
What's Happening Soon...
We are open on days with a brightly coloured block, with a mix of Discovery, Limited Run, Heritage Diesel and Steam Days together with Special Events. Click on the relevant date for details of what to expect.
We are completely closed on days with a white or grey background.
For a full schedule of events see our calendar page:
Full Calendar
Latest Information - Thu 8 Oct 2026
Buy a Gift and Virgin Experience Vouchers
Buy a Gift and Virgin Experience Vouchers can be used on any of our open days excluding our Steam into Christmas event. Please be aware that trains do not run on Discovery Days and have a shorter run time on Limited Run Days. 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. If you are using a Virgin Experience Voucher, please also provide the PIN.
Swindon Panel
Next demonstrations on October 17, 25, 31
Next Open Days
Next Steam Days - October 24/25, 28, 31
Next Discovery Days - October 3/4, 10/11, 17/18, 29/30
Next Limited Run Steam Days - October 7, 14, 21
Next Special Events
Pumpkin Express - Steam Days - October 24/25, 29, 31, November 1
Pumpkin Express - Discovery Days - October 29/30
Steam into Christmas - December 5/6, 12/13, 19/20, 22/23
A Christmas Carol performed by Gerald Dickens - December 9, 14
The Railway Centre is currently Open on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays with trains running on Wednesdays and over some weekends.
Last Admission: 2.30pm on all open days
What's Next
The Pumpkin Express - Discovery Days
Immerse yourself in 200 years of railway heritage across our 21-acre living museum, with plenty of Halloween fun too.
Steam Into Christmas
Help Santa find his missing reindeer! Explore our 24 acre site to find each of Santa's lost reindeer, culminating in a visit to the grotto to meet Santa.
Discovery Days
With no trains running, explore our 21 acre living museum at leisure and get close to our exhibits
Limited Run Days - DIESEL
Train rides are available for part of the day. Explore our 21 acre living museum and experience 200 years of railway heritage
Limited Run Days - STEAM
Train rides are available for part of the day. Explore our 21 acre living museum and experience 200 years of railway heritage
Steam into the New Year
Unlimited steam train rides. Explore our 21-acre living museum, experience 200 years of railway heritage
Plan Your Visit
Getting here, loco roster, 10 things not to miss and accessibility information.
Visitors' Views
Loved it! - I am, by no means, a train enthusiast, but this place converts you into one. I loved the displays, the steam trains onsite, the signalling centre etc. I left with a deeper appreciation of rail networks and am now facinated by the ins and outs of everything train related.
- Avidesh - August 2025
Latest News
Job Opportunity - Museum Director
Didcot Railway Centre seeks to recruit an experienced leader
Train driver's descendants gather at railway centre
A visit from Jim Hurst's relatives
Day Out with Lunch
An open day lunch to support the local community
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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