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Didcot Railway Centre Diesel Day (25 May 2013)
A Diesel Day was held unusually here at the famous Centre for GWR steam using Locomotives returning up north that had taken part in the previous weekends Diesel-Gala at the Swanage Railway.A fairly low key event but a nice steam-shed setting for the ex-BR engines.
'Bagpipe' Crompton 33108 stands in Didcot Centre Yard alongside D9009 in the late afternoon on display.
..25 may 2013..
The famous 'Mission Impossible' 6023 'King Edward II' has finally been fully restored to working order after many years of dereliction and huge problems.Now a fully operational locomotive that will make its mainline debut in the not to distant future.Currently it carries the early experimental blue livery from the early 1950's.It should be noted it runs in the original guise with a single chimney as well. To see a picture of this engine languishing in Barry Scrapyard in 1974,almost 40 years ago with its driving wheels famously cut to pieces click HERE
..25 may 2013..
Didcot resident 18000 the Brown-Boveri Gas-Turbine stands next to D9009 amongst the steam-age yard equipment at Didcot Centre.
..25 may 2013..
18000 the Brown-Boveri Gas-Turbine that was ordered by the GWR under Lot no-372 but not delivered until 1949,a year after the GWR ceased to exist when it was absorbed into 'British Railways' at the end of 1948.An unreliable machine that lasted until 1960.It was eventually returned to Europe where it was used to test purposes eventually ending up on display in Vienna.Preservation beckoned in 1990 and after stints at Crewe and Toddington has found a permanant home here at Didcot.Although now no longer a runner it will be eventually cosmetically restored to its original external condition as delivered in 1949. A true relic and well worth its place in GWR history. Click HERE for a more in-depth history.
..25 may 2013..
GWR Railcar No-22 sits parked after a few hours running up and down the 2nd demo line here at Didcot Centre.Two styles were in use on this class.One was designed by 'Bugatti' of car fame and the front-end looking similar to an LNER A4 Pacific and then this type which was much more angular but no less good looking! An earlier 'Bugatti' version is on show at the 'Steam' Exhibition in Swindon.
..25 may 2013..
This is the Great Western Railway equivalent to a present day Class-153 or the earlier Class-121single-car DMU. Railcar No-22 is seen on the 2nd demo line rolling slowly past the restored 'Radstock North' Signal Box.This class lasted well into BR days but were confined to the Midlands by then so I never actually saw any of these in service.
..25 may 2013..
This engine is normally based at the 'Dean Forest Railway'.To see it away from its home railway is quite unusual.Here it is viewed at Didcot next to to the Shop/Cafe area at the Centre.It was still ticking over just after its days work on the demo line was over.This was the only '31' to get the EWS livery treatment.It was done mainly then as a demonstration piece for a large Open Day that was held at Toton way back in August 1998.Upon withdrawal in Feb 2001 it eventually found its way into preservation.
..25 may 2013..
The sole EWS liveried Brush Type-2 31466 stands alongside a rather scruffy but fully operational 37521 'English China Clays' adjacent to the main sheds at Didcot.The '31' was still idling after its stint on the demonstration line but as we arrived quite late we missed seeing it in operation.
..25 may 2013..
Deltic 9019 operated on the main demonstration line here at Didcot. A touching tribute to the Fusilier 'Drummer Lee Rigby' was carried by 'Royal Highland Fusilier' during the event. ..25 may 2013..
A nice view showing the impromptu tributes to Lee Rigby,the Fusilier that was sadly assassinated by mindless terrorists outside his barracks in London a few days ago.The locomotive of coarse in named 'Royal Highland Fusilier' so the tribute is very relevent.The Deltic is seen on the short main demonstration line at Didcot with a pair of ex-GWR coaches in tow.
..25 may 2013..
D9009 'Alycidon' wearing the mid-sixties 2-tone green livery stands in the yard at Didcot.
..25 may 2013..
Also present at Didcot of coarse was a shed full of restored ex-GWR steam engines of all different types.Here is 5572 a small prairie tank 2-6-2T that was rescued from the famous Woodham's-Yard in South-Wales many years ago and returned to full working order.