[Aug 3, 2013] Steam Aid II (Oxfordshire)

Have you ever looked longingly at the Didcot collection and wished that you could have a go? Well now's your chance!

Drive Mogul No.5322 or Steam Railmotor No.93, watch shunting demonstrations by Pannier No.3650, ride in Great Western Diesel Railcar No. 22, find out what's it takes to be a signalman, and generally see behind the scenes.

We will be offering driver experiences on Nos. 5322, 93 and a pannier (of indeterminate number!). There will be works tours, signal box tours and miniature train driver experiences for the youngsters. Driver experiences can be taken as footplate rides for those less confident.

Normal steam day admission prices apply, but for additional charitable ‘fares’ you can do so much more:
•Branch Line Experience - suggested donation £5
•Main Line Experience - sugested donation £10
•1 hour behind the scenes tour - suggested donation £1
•Early entry - suggested donation £1
•And much more!
All donations go to Cancer Research UK - Help us Raise Steam, Raise Money and Save Lives!

We will be opening for extended hours to cope with demand - Driver experiences start at 09:00, last admission 15:30 gates close at 18:00 - We will keep going until the last ride is taken! All locomotives and rolling stock are, as ever, subject to availibility.

 

Latest is that 3738 won't be available this weekend so 3650 will be taking its place with 5322 & SRM 93 for driver experience. The shunting demo will be undertaken by 08604 with live commentary on the ground from the shunter.

 

Can I ask why nothing else, ie the blue King isn't available to steam as I'm giving this serious consideration, and a blooming box doesn't do it for me.....................................................................

 

Routine maintenance?....preparation works for mainline? Who knows, wish I could go as I haven't been to didcot for far too long. Sadly I have a date with a tamper this weekend.

 

Lucky you!, don't take this the wrong way, but that sounds a little kinky......................................... but then again I usually have a date with a paint brush and a BY van......................

Anyway, back on topic, I just find it strange that there seems to be nothing steam wise in reserve just in case, after all it is STEAM aid, Not steam and box aid.................. Now wouldn't be nice if they could steam the King! That would awing it for me.

 

The Steam aid part is the steam driving - having done the last one, I'm gutted I'm away for this one as 5322 and 3650 alone (with their respective "unique" crews) are well worth a day out. Chuck in the potentially once in a lifetime chance to have a go on the SRM and regardless of what does the yard shunting demo, I'm sure those who go along won't be disappointed.

The King seems to be being run on Wednesdays at present - possibly as part of a carefully managed running in process ready for the mainline. I'm not personally surprised that a potential mainliner isn't being trusted to rank amateurs like me to drive!

 

Can't make this one, sadly, but last year's was excellent, so would encourage anyone sitting on the fence to make the effort! Taking the polar opposite point of view regarding the 08, any chance of it being available for the driver experience, or at least some sort of brake van ride or similar, next year? I know PLEG did something with it fairly recently, but it's still quite rare on the whole, and ought to bring in some decent numbers!

 

Not at all, keeping up with it from behind is the problem!

 

After, and only after you have had a drive there will be a range of beers available to try.

 

As per last year I went along and what a great day it was. Hope matt has dried out after his shunting demo in the torrential downpour but overall weather was good. plenty of people driving and I hope good money was raised for the charity concerned. i am sure they will do Steam aid 3 next year and I would encourage anyone who can make it to have go.

You will not be dissapointed , the noise from the railmotor at times was superb and the roar of a loco on all lines could be heard all round the centre.

All in all a great day and a big thank you to all concerned.

 

I was there too!

And a very pleasant day it was as well, though not as busy as I was expecting it to be.................................... the up shot of that was that I had the chance to take photographs without the crowds.

Thankfully I didn't get wet as I left just after two having been there since nine, it was enough.

Here's a link to a few photo's from the day.......... Steam Aid 2