DIDCOT RAILWAY CENTRE & MUSEUM

FATHER’S DAY FUN

     Sunday 15 June 2025

The Society last visited Didcot in 2009 and this year they are going all out to celebrate Father’s Day with 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 24-acre living museum with trains dating from Victorian times to the 1960s! Steam trains will be operating on both Centre’s demonstration lines, allowing you 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 branch line steam engine. Check our Locomotive Roster to see what we expect to be running on the date of your visit.

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. 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!

Depart Chesterfield:  07.25        Return approximately: 20.00.

FARE (Includes coach travel and entrance fee tickets)

GROUP ENTRANCE FARE: ADULT,  CONCESSION & CHILD (4 – 65+): £45.00               

UNDER 3/COACH ONLY: £29.00

CLOSURE DATE FOR BOOKINGS: 31.05.2025

EARLY BOOKING IS RECOMMENDED!