Heritage in Motion - featuring LBSCR H2-Class Atlantic No 32424 'Beachy Head'

Join us this bank holiday weekend as we welcome LBSCR H2-Class Atlantic No 32424 'Beachy Head' to Didcot Railway Centre. This is her maiden voyage to a heritage railway since restoration and is with kind thanks to The Bluebell Railway Trust. You'll have a rare chance to see her in an original engine shed environment - a true lost classic returned.

This magnificent locomotive is the result of a project to reconstruct a Brighton H2 Atlantic based on SR/BR period “Beachy Head”. It is based around a suitable boiler, and includes various other original H2 components given to the project, including the locomotive’s original regulator handle and whistle, and a class identification plate.  The locomotive was launched into service on the Bluebell on 18 August 2024, the culmination of 24 years work by a dedicated team of engineers, fundraisers and supporters.

The decision to recreate this locomotive, enabled by the discovery of an ex-GNR Atlantic boiler (essentially identical to that used on the H2) in superb condition in a factory in Essex in 1986, is due to the significance of this particular locomotive to the Bluebell itself.  It was:
* an iconic Brighton express locomotive;
* the very last Atlantic running in BR service;
* used on many railtours in the 1950s, including several over the Bluebell line;

This loco’s scrapping in 1958 led Brighton enthusiasts to realise that action was required to save something of the history of the LB&SCR before it was too late, and led to the first meeting of what became the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society in 1959.

With our 'heritage in motion' theme, we also hope to have lots more gems of preservation to excite you, and if it moves, we want you to see it moving! Whilst we can't guarantee all of these, a mix of the following will be available on each day:-

* Wickham Trolley

* Pump Trolley

* Demonstrations of our wheel drop in action

* Demonstrations of our 50 ton hoist

* Use of the Coal Stage

* Use of our traverser

* Use of our turntable

* The chance to see inside our travelling post office at close range

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 21-acre living museum with trains dating from Victorian times to the 1960s.

Steam trains will be operating on at least one of the Centre's two demonstration lines, allowing you to take unlimited rides. On many days, the second line will be running too and may feature a pioneering diesel railcar, a heritage diesel locomotive or a small branch line steam engine. Check our Locomotive Roster to see what we expect to be running on the date of your visit. Please note that whilst we do our best to ensure we can run steam engines, there's always a possibility that something can go wrong at short notice meaning we have to replace this with a diesel.

• 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