Isambard Kingdom Brunel designed his Great Western Railway to be the finest in the world. Its route through Didcot from Bristol to London was completed in 1841 and until 1892 its trains ran on Brunel's broad gauge tracks. The Great Western retained its independence until nationalisation in 1948 and is still with regarded with affection by those who knew it.
The Great Western Railway was one of the most recognisable of the old private operators with its express trains to the holiday resorts in the West of England of chocolate and cream carriages being pulled by the famous Brunswick green locomotives. By contrast there were the lengthy coal trains from the South Wales valleys.
With nationalisation came the start of a ruthless re-structuring with branch line closures, signalling rationalisation and diesel locomotives replacing steam locomotives. British Railways announced a selective list of locomotives that would be preserved in its museums.
Four schoolboys train-spotting at Southall in 1961 decided that they would try to preserve a Great Western 'push and pull' (auto train) tank engine. Railway preservation was in its infancy, but a letter published some months later in the 'Railway Magazine' precipitated donations towards the project. It became necessary to put the scheme on a proper footing and thus was born the Great Western Society in 1964.
As pressure mounted for more steam locomotives to be purchased before they disappeared, the Society was offered the use of the engine shed at Didcot that had become redundant.
The Society moved in with three locomotives and a number of carriages in 1967. Since then its members have transformed the area into Didcot Railway Centre. The range of activities and facilities is substantial and you can find out more about the Centre from exploring our web pages or by visiting the Centre!
Since the Society's arrival at Didcot we have learnt that the cost of restoration and maintenance grows as the trains get older. Our income generating activities are crucial to helping us continue this work,but the future development depends on the efforts of our members.
If you would like to help us in our work why not consider becoming a member, or make a donation to the Centre. Your contribution would be very welcome and put to good use.
