August 23rd - 25th - The launch of our pioneering locomotive 1466

23rd, 24th and 25th August

Join us over the August Bank Holiday weekend as welcome the return to service of our pioneering locomotive 1466.

After an extensive overhaul, this weekend we celebrate this iconic locomotive and everything it means to us.

Who would have thought that a rather cheeky letter published in The Railway Magazine in August 1961, asking for money to preserve a 14xx class locomotive would have gained so much support? It's thanks to this letter, 4 schoolboys and their tenacity that the Great Western Society was formed and that they were not only able to purchase the locomotive, but also Autocoach No 231.

What followed over the coming years was incredible - more locomotives, more rolling stock, more coaches, more railwayana and the acquision of the depot at Didcot. We now have the largest collection of items in the world from any one single railway company and our 24 acre living is a testament to their tenacity all those years sgo.

We are overjoyed that 1466 is now back with us, sporting a new livery and this weekend, we want to celebrate in style!

Saturday 23rd August 2025

The official launch of the engine will take place at 11.30am. The engine will appear on shed when we open at 10.30am and move down to the turntable for speeches and the official launch, moving to the main demonstration line at approximately 1.30pm.

In the meantime, our visiting engines 1450 and SECR 01 Class No 65 will be providing rides on our main demonstration line and branch line.

Sunday 24th and Monday 25th August 2025

We will have all 3 locomotives in steam on these days, alternating between our branch and main demonstration lines.

As always, everything else you can expect from us will be available-

• 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