Didcot Railway Centre

A selection of photos taken at Didcot yesterday
http://cliffjones.zenfolio.com/didcot_2014_may_25

There is a separate gallery for the Diesel Gala
http://cliffjones.zenfolio.com/didcot_diesel_gala_2014_may_25

 

Interesting 'photos, thank you. However that blue King caused me to shudder!

 

It's only paint. I am more concerned about the renumbering of Pendennis Castle and conversion to a 2-8-0 quoted!!!!!

Great Western Society’s new-build Churchward Class 4700 2-8-0 4709 "Pendennis Castle" - 25 May 2014

 

It's OK in blue, but they forgot the double arrows.

 

"The Arrows of Indecision"

 

For me, it was 5227 that caused the strongest reaction. Didcot doesn't have a 2-8-0T in its collection and while the reasonably complete appearance may disguise a thoroughly beat-up engine, it does seem a dreadful shame if this engine is to be cannibalised.

 

My understanding is it has already been cannibalised (for axleboxes amongst other bits) and has been re-assembled for display

 

I dunno, I was taking some detail photos of various locos at Didcot on Sunday and the thing that struck me about 5227 was that when I looked closely there seemed to be almost nothing left. Sure there's a boiler, a set of frames and some wheels, plus a lot of rusted out sheet metal, but not a lot else. Take a look at these pics and count the empty bolt holes. I also suspect an awful lot of components vanished many years ago judging by where paint is and isn't.