Living Museum of the Great Western Railway

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Father's Day 2024

16 June - Why not treat Dad this Father's Day - maybe book our Father's Day Special Offer for that little extra?

Father's Day - Sunday 16th June

This Father's Day, why not take your Dad on a journey 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!

In addition to our usual attractions, we have a new Father's Day Special feature which includes:

  • Early Entry
  • A Full English Breakfast

 


Steam trains will be operating on both of the Centre's demonstration lines, allowing you and your Dad to take unlimited rides throughout the day. Our second line will be running too and may feature a pioneering diesel railcar, a heritage diesel locomotive or a small branchline steam engine. Check our Locomotive Roster to see what we expect to be running on the date of your visit.

Why not treat your Dad to our new colourful guidebook, explore this 21-acre living museum and unearth almost two centuries of railway history. Get up close and see the Engines and rolling stock at close quarters. Stroll through the original 1932 Engine Shed and see magnificent preserved 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.

Take your Dad down to see surviving track from Brunel's Broad Gauge, discover painstakingly restored buildings, coaches and wagons and learn more about the development of railways and how they changed everyday lives.

 

There's a chance for you all to get hands-on in The Signalling Centre where you can find out how trains have been controlled through the ages. Descend into the air raid shelter that was built to keep Didcot's enginemen safe in WWII and experience an air raid or immerse yourself in the varied collection of fascinating, smaller artefacts in the museum. Don't miss the carriage display with coaches dating from Victorian times to the 1940s that evoke bygone eras. See 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!

 

Younger children can also 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!

You can buy tickets online at any time prior to the day of your visit - or buy them at the entrance on arrival.

 

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