Castle Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 Hi All, The World Famous* RMWEB Tour of Didcot Railway Centre Sunday 29th July 2018 A bit later than normal - sorry everyone! The final ok was granted by management on Saturday and I was a bit busy on Sunday with other things steam engine so here we are! For those that haven’t been before, my team and I will show you the whole of Didcot Railway Centre, taking you behind the scenes and giving you a chance to look at anything and everything you want to see as far as is possible! You can make prior requests to see things either before, during or after the tour and we will do our very best to let you see, photograph and / or measure what you need to! There will be trains running that day (when I know the roster, I will let you know - there will be a guest engine on site) and we will also tour Radstock Signal Box, the Carriage & Wagon Works, the Carriage & Wagon Storage shed and the locomotive works as well as all the normal visitor attractions. We have a great time and we also get to meet our fellow RMWEBBERs and put faces to names! We ought to give you a little sample of what is to be seen - how’s this? The plan will be for you to get in as soon after we open as possible and take your train rides and have a spot of lunch, visit the shops, etc and we will meet up at the entrance kiosk by the main gate at 12:00hrs. From there, we will do our tour and we are usually done by about 16:00hrs after tea (the main motive fluid for railway preservation, coffee is substituted by some) has been drunk and the world has been put to rights. There is parking across the road from Didcot Parkway station and the centre is accessed through the underpass in the station itself. The other way to get there is of course by train! So - I will ask the question I ask every year - who wants to come and have a look in the largest and greatest GWR toybox in the world? All the best, Castle *After OTBL and his good lady joined us last year, I can definitely claim this now! They have the longest distance travelled so far for the tour - it will take a bit of beating! Can we do it? 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluemonkey presents.... Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 This is truly a very special day out for anyone with any sort of interest in railways and especially the Great Western Railway, (is there any other?! ). Castle makes the tour a very interesting, making time for everyone's questions and specific interests whilst giving the opportunity for some special requests to photograph stock that normally you would not be able to either see or get close enough to. I went along last year and seriously the entire day is awesome. Thank you again Mr Castle. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tender Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Yes please, hopefully things won't conspire against us this year and we'll be able to get down for the weekend. Ray & Polly. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castle Posted March 13, 2018 Author Share Posted March 13, 2018 Hi All, No.46, I am humbled by your endorsements! Thanks for saying what you have and it means a lot. Like any railway preservationist, we do it all (tours included!) because we love the subject and enjoy sharing our somewhat privalidged position with as many people as possible. If you are not busy, you would be most welcome again! Ray and Polly - fantastic news! I look forward to what will be our second meeting this year! Dia the Steam must be put in No. 4079’s driving seat this time. Yes, it will be reattached by then... All the best, Castle 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold grandadbob Posted March 13, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 13, 2018 (edited) Well I was converted to liking things GWR on my first visit 4 or 5? years ago, have only missed 1 year since and would love to come again. Also on that first visit met a couple of great blokes who have become good friends. Bob. Edited March 13, 2018 by grandadbob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castle Posted March 13, 2018 Author Share Posted March 13, 2018 Hi Bob, You’ve got it! See you there! All the best, Castle Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clearwater Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Hi Castle Yes - thoroughly enjoyed last year. My son would love to come as well this year! Better renew my GWS membership! David 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tender Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 (edited) Ray and Polly - fantastic news! I look forward to what will be our second meeting this year! Dia the Steam must be put in No. 4079’s driving seat this time. Yes, it will be reattached by then... All the best, Castle Yes i forgot, Jones the Steam will need a ticket too..... Here he is on his last visit inspection in 2016. Edited March 13, 2018 by tender 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castle Posted March 13, 2018 Author Share Posted March 13, 2018 Hi All, David - I look forward to seeing yourself and your son on the day! Ray - I’ll put you down for two and a half places then mate! All the best, Castle Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted March 14, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 14, 2018 (edited) Two places as usual please Drew (subject to confirmation for the second as he might be required to be elsewhere on another - much smaller - railway working a signalbox or driving (if he's passed for driving by then) http://www.cockcrow.co.uk Edited March 14, 2018 by The Stationmaster Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Finsbury Posted March 14, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 14, 2018 I know that I am new around here, but can I and the wife tag along? Kind regards, Bernie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castle Posted March 14, 2018 Author Share Posted March 14, 2018 Hi All, Mike - people would miss you if you didn’t come with us! Two places as always good sir and thanks in advance! Bernie - everyone is welcome good sir! Two places it is. All the best, Castle Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy M Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Yes please Drew, with the usual work commitment caveat. I visited Didcot yesterday with my little boy and he was mesmerised. Nice to see 4079 looking visually complete and at the back of the running shed. Have you been moved by other projects in the workshops? I also would like to pick your brains on the K40 TPO conversion underway in the carriage shop. What is the thinking behind the flat end gangway arrangement? I thought the converter K40”s retained their bow ends, unless you guys at the GWS have drawings to prove otherwise! Anyway, looking forward to another guided tour. Thanks as always for your efforts in hosting a great event. Best wishes, Andy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castle Posted March 14, 2018 Author Share Posted March 14, 2018 (edited) Hi Andy, No problem - I shall note you down for a place good sir! No, Pendennis hasn’t been evicted (!), we have gone forward into the shed to use the inspection pit. It’s also given the No. 3650 Crew a chance to get stuck into dismantling the boiler internals. It also means that visitors get to see No. 4079 while she is in this almost complete state so it’s win-win all round! The K40 as I (a mere loco chap) understand it, the conversion as is being done was at least proposed by the GWR but not carried out. I’m sure Pete S (K14) will be along soon to correct me! All the best, Castle PS: a sneak preview of this summer’s ‘wee engine’ hire... Edited March 14, 2018 by Castle 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 My dad and myself very much enjoyed our visit last year. I must admit Drew I've absolutely no idea what I'll be doing in the summer, so cannot confirm anything just yet, but if I do come along to this GWR extravaganza then it might be on my own. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castle Posted March 14, 2018 Author Share Posted March 14, 2018 Ok Liam - let me know closer to the time! All the best, Castle Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Possibly interested, I'm sure Natalie would be too. Intended to go last year, but health and car troubles prevented it. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castle Posted March 14, 2018 Author Share Posted March 14, 2018 Hi Kelly, It would be great to see you both - I hope you can make it this time! All the best, Castle Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automotor Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 Castle Hi I'm one of your silent audience. Would love to come and join in if that's possible please. Kind regards Roger 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castle Posted March 18, 2018 Author Share Posted March 18, 2018 Hi Roger, No need to be silent, we all like a chat! I look forward to meeting you on the tour good sir! All the best, Castle Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simond Posted March 19, 2018 Share Posted March 19, 2018 Drew, I hope that the boys and I will be able to make it, we much enjoyed the 2016 trip - Please put me down + 4 if that's ok, and I'll confirm to you later in the week? thanks and kind regards Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castle Posted March 19, 2018 Author Share Posted March 19, 2018 You’ve got it Simon! All the best, Castle Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pendennis Posted March 25, 2018 Share Posted March 25, 2018 Hi Drew Could I book three places; two regulars, one newbie. All the best Martin 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castle Posted March 25, 2018 Author Share Posted March 25, 2018 Sure thing Martin - no problem! All the best, Castle Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simond Posted March 25, 2018 Share Posted March 25, 2018 Drew, I hope that the boys and I will be able to make it, we much enjoyed the 2016 trip - Please put me down + 4 if that's ok, and I'll confirm to you later in the week? thanks and kind regards Simon Following a team briefing, two of our number will be in Stockholm, so only three of us. Best Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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