Isambard Kingdom Brunel designed his Great Western Railway to be the finest in the world. Its route through Didcot from Bristol to London was completed in 1841 and until 1892 its trains ran on Brunel's broad gauge tracks. The Great Western retained its independence until nationalisation in 1948 and is still regarded with affection by those who knew it. The Great Western Society held its inaugural meeting at Southall Community Centre in May 1962. It is now a registered charity (Number 272616) with the charitable objectives to preserve, restore and operate as a permanent public exhibition and museum, steam and other railway locomotives, rolling stock and equipment with particular reference to the former Great Western Railway, both for historical and educational purposes and to make available for public reference the history, equipment and operation of the former Great Western Railway. In 1967 the Society was offered the use of the engine shed at Didcot that had become redundant and the Society moved in with three locomotives and a number of carriages. Since then its members have transformed the area into Didcot Railway Centre. The range of activities and facilities is substantial and you can find out more about the Centre from exploring our web site or by visiting the centre in person.
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