Four Castles at Didcot - 4 March

nice little earner for them

 

And we've got our new guide book on sale

 

This has been posted on the official DRC facebook page

 

Well organised and very busy. Nice touch to have 4144 on the branch line. An excellent day out as we made it to Oxford by XC just in time to phot the DH Castles from P3 running 3 early and passing the up Worcester still in the platform then got the 1007 to Didcot in good time to see the Castles going on shed. GWR and XC behaving themselves so got home to mum and muffins in good time. Pity about the weather but many thanks to Vintage and Didcot for this celebration of steam.

 

Really good day at Didcot today - although it was very busy (and very cold!), it was well organised and there was plenty of opportunity for everyone to get their photos of a memorable line-up. I parked just before the Castles arrived, so by the time I approached the station all of the tour participants were also making their way in. I was expecting a long queue but in the event only had a short wait. The longest wait was for hot food at lunchtime, but with the site "rail locked" it's not as if there's any scope to bring in an extra burger van or two, and people seemed happy to wait. There are very few places where you can stand at ground level and watch such magnificent locos passing just in front of you, and it all added up to an excellent event. Thank you to everyone involved.

 

Had intended to arrive at Didcot before the double header, but something happened at Swindon which caused a 15 minute delay.

Enjoyed the day at Didcot. Not all the visitors turned up with cameras. I wonder how the artist's sketches turn out.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@N07/albums/72177720306469828
'

 

Here's my footage of 7029 Clun Castle and 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe on their runs to the Four Castles at Didcot event. I filmed both of the at Kennington and Yarnton both near Oxford. The Video also features Pendennis Castle and Earl Bathurst with the two Tyseley Castles together in the special and rare lineup. I hope you enjoy the video.

 

Fantastic video - thanks for sharing

 

Yes excellent idea

 

Well done on getting that 5th Castle in shot Martin

 

Some footage of the 4 Castle line-up at Didcot yesterday, plus, 5043 and 7029 double heading on the mainline at Yarnton.

 

A top event from Didcot, really well organised and huge thanks to all involved for making it happen. The tour is seen at Culham on both legs with stills of the lineup included. And we were given a treat when 4079 took over 4144 on the demonstration line and the driver let rip departing the station. I'll leave you all to watch and see what I mean!

 

I went down to Didcot yesterday 4th March to see the 4 Castles at Didcot
4079 Pendennis Castle,5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, 5051 Drysllwyn Castle, 7029 Clun Castle line up DRC 4th March 2023
https://tinyurl.com/3ds8e9uy
rest of photos of Didcot to follow

Neil

 

Pours kerosene over flames...

 

Can only echo this. Having come down on the charter we met with a friend and his young daughter who came up from Reading - they were both really impressed with the day. His only previous experience of Didcot had been on a desolate, freezing cold, static day and he hadn't rushed back, so yesterday was a revelation to see the site come alive!
Regards the food, the queue looked intimidating, but once in it they got through commendably quickly. The sweet and sour chicken, plus cake was delicious!
There really isn't anywhere else where you can get up close to living locomotives like this and it shows it can be done safely and in a well organised way, long may it continue.
Another great touch was the guard letting my friend's daughter ring the auto trailer bell and hold his flags - brilliant touch and made her day! Well done Didcot, hope it paid off well for you!

 

My video of the full day