Autumn Steam Gala - featuring 1466, 1450 and SECR 01 Class No 65

4th September - announcement - 1466 

Since the launch back into traffic of 1466, some technical issues have come to light between our insurance company and the contractors employed in the overhaul of the engine’s boiler. Whilst these matters are being resolved, unfortunately this means we have been asked not to steam the engine. 

As you can imagine, this is quite a blow to the Great Western Society and the team managing the restoration of the engine. After several lengthy delays in the engine’s overhaul, we were confident we had her back in service for the years to come.  

Despite this, we have decided to press on with the proposed gala and there will still be an opportunity to see both 1466 and 1450 together at the front of the engine shed posing for photographs. Other highlights over the course of the weekend will include 1450 running an ‘Autocoach sandwich’ on our branch line. Our other visiting engine, SECR 01 No65 will run both a freight train and passenger rides with two of our Victorian bogie coaches. 

In addition, our very own Pendennis Castle and Trojan will also both be in steam. This will be your last chance to travel behind Pendennis with the 3,500 gallon tender. Again the Castle will be operating with the two Victorian coaches, 1340 Trojan will also be in steam providing rides and shunting round the site.  

Our annual steam gala this year features our very own Pendennis Castle, Trojan, together with 1450 on loan from the Severn Valley Railway. In addition, we have SECR 01 Class No 65 on loan from the Bluebell Railway.

Join us for an exciting weekend and celebrate steam with this multi-engine event. See autotrain operations, freight trains, shunting demonstrations, plus tours of our workshop areas, usually closed to the public. See some of the features of our site in operation, including our signal box, traverser, turntable and coal stage.

1466 needs no introduction and we are overjoyed that our pioneering engine is back home where she belongs after an extensive overhaul. The Great Western Society was formed in 1962 to fund the preservation of an autotrain and in 1964, the purchase of 1466 and Autocoach 231 took place. The rest as they say, is history!

The two engines will appear on shed in the morning for photographic line ups after which they will operate with autocoaches 231 and 190. This gives you the chance to see two autotrains in operation and a very rare opportunity to see a locomotive at the Oxford end of the train.

In addition, we also have SECR 01 Class No 65 visiting courtesy of the Bluebell Railway.  This was built in Ashford in 1896 for the South Eastern and Chatham Railway and spent most of its operational life in Kent. It was purchased straight from BR for preservation in the 1960's and was originally at the Ashford Steam Centre. When this project failed, the engine went into store for many years before an agreement was made for it to move to the Bluebell Railway where it returned to steam in 1999. The engine is now in its second boiler ticket under the Bluebell's ownership.

This engine will be working our branch line and will be pulling our Victorian coaches 1941 and 3755.

This is a great way to travel back in time to the golden age of the Great Western Railway and savour the sights, sounds and smells of steam as you explore this 24-acre living museum with trains dating from Victorian times to the 1960s.

Steam trains will be operating on both demonstration lines, allowing you to take unlimited rides. Check our Locomotive Roster to see what we expect to be running on the date of your visit.

• Stroll around the 1932 Engine Shed housing our unique collection of operational and cosmetically-restored locomotives. Find 5900 Hinderton Hall, climb onto the footplate and listen to Archie, the driver, and Stan, the fireman, prepare their loco! Listen out for the sounds of a working engine shed and see if you can hear Stan fetch his supplies from Jonah, the storeman.
• Visit the carriage and wagon display of restored rolling stock from Victorian times to the 1940s, including the VIP Saloon reputed to have been used by General Eisenhower during the preparations for D-Day and later used in the GWR Royal Train, and our restoration workshops
• Marvel at Brunel's Broad Gauge railway, locomotives, coaches and transfer shed and don't miss a section of his not entirely successful 'Atmospheric Railway'
• Get hands-on in The Signalling Centre where you can find out how trains have been controlled through the ages.  The Swindon Panel is demonstrated on certain specified dates.
• Descend into a shelter built to keep Didcot's enginemen safe in WWII and experience an air raid
• Immerse yourself in the huge and varied collection of fascinating, smaller items in the Museum. 
• Discover some GWR road vehicles in the Road Transport Hangar.

Children can make tracks to the outdoor play area or dress up as a station master. You can relax over lunch or enjoy a snack in the refreshment rooms and don't forget to pick up a souvenir in the gift shop. The modern trains running past the centre complete the picture and mean you can experience over 180 years of railway progress in just one day.