Pendon Museum and Didcot Railway Centre – 2

The second day of our trip was spent at Didcot Railway Centre. Like Pendon, it was many years since I had visited. The first thing that struck me was how much bigger the site is now.

We were met by 2999 Lady of Legend and 4144, both in steam.

They had a quite a line up locos, plus a train running up and down the “branch” line.

Poking its head out of the shed was 6023 King Edward II

More from inside the shed.

Moving outside the shed, we came across this unusual example. I have never seen anything like this but one presumes it is authentic.

We then went down to the turntable and found one of the GWR/BR gas turbines.

I was very surprised to see this – not very Great Western!

More photos taken on the day.

As I had family connections with the area, I took the opportunity for a trip down memory lane. My grandad was a signalman at Cholsey and in his spare time, he was a bell ringer at the local church. I remember him taking me up through the tower to the church roof where there was a wonderful view of the GW main line, plus the Wallingford branch.

As I hadn’t been there for probably 50 years, it came as a surprise when parking at the church I noticed a sign saying that the well known author Agatha Christie was buried at the church.

It also gave an opportunity to see what the main line looks like now after the erection of the overhead wires.

Trainspotting was bit boring as it was just a constant parade of Hitachi 800s.