The Didcot Big Steam 24 & 25 September

Featuring:

• 1340 Trojan
• 2999 Lady of Legend
• 4079 Pendennis Castle
  
• 4144
• 2409 King George

More details: https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/product.php/143/the-didcot-big-steam-24-and-25-september

 

Great to see, it's rare to have that much in steam at Didcot these days.

Just a heads up for anyone coming in from the North. Banbury-Oxford-Didcot is shut that weekend with replacement buses in operation.

 

Timetable just issued to volunteers. Plenty going on.
King George (not Thomas) first public steaming
Turntable and coal stage demonstrations
Pendennis Castle and Lady of Legend will be on a double header each afternoon, Large Prairie on main demo line in morning (first time in steam at Didcot this year after long term long at K&ESR)

 

Is Didcot still operating limited numbers/pre-booking only, or will tickets be available on the gate for this event?
The website seems to be offering tickets for 10am-4pm rather than individual timeslots, but the 'Pre-arrival advice' linked from the event page still refers to booked timeslots and I couldn't spot any explicit information about 'buy on the day'.

Thinking I might head over to this, but if I'm going to have to fight replacement buses to get there, I want to at least pick the day with the best weather prospects!

 

Tickets will definitely be available on the gate. I've asked marketing before to get rid of all the Covid booked time slots but it seems to be taking longer than planned.

 

Great! Thanks for confirming.

 

I emailed earlier in the week enquiring whether a roster would be made available but was told one wouldn't be. If possible could you please post planned loco running times and on which lines?

Looking forward to my first visit in three years.

 

10am: 4144 on main demo line with King George on branch line
10.40am Pendennis Castle on turntable and will then go to coal stage
11.30am King George will swap with 1340 Trojan on branch
Midday Lady of Legend to replace 4144 on main demo line
12.15pm King George on turntable
1pm 4144 on Branch line to replace 1340
2pm 1340 on turntable and then run to coal stage with wagon
3pm Pendennis to double head with Lady of Legend on main demo line
4.15pm 4144 to finish on branch line
4.30pm Pendennis and Lady of Legend to finish on main demo
Fingers crossed it all goes to plan!

 

Many thanks for posting this.

 

I’m told that KING GEORGE only worked freight today.

 

That is correct did a few trips with a freight on the branch line in the morning.That was all it was meant to do according to the roster they was handing out at the gate.

 

I really enjoyed today's event!
It felt very much like I remember Didcot as a child, with something always going on, locos trundling back and forth and whistles from every direction. Only thing missing was something running on the broad gauge.

It seemed pretty well attended and there seemed to be a good mix of enthusiasts/photographers and 'normal' families. Hopefully the extra attendance was enough to cover the cost of steaming everything, certainly the refreshment room queue was out the door most of the day!

Definitely worth the replacement bus ride from Banbury (which, ironically, was quicker and more frequent than the usual Saturday train service!)