Though the first time I saw Didcot I was probably just passing through on a Penzance-Paddington passenger service, I immediately had a fondness for it, as I saw the water tower – so reminiscent of Penzance’s. I was also very pleased to discover that the loco shed was also like Long Rock, and largely un-modernised, even years later. It is still my No. 1 choice for a day’s visit today!
5901 “HAZEL HALL” is parked with fellow ex-GWR locos on Didcot depot by the water columns outside the shed. In the background is the avoiding line to Oxford, with a pastoral scene beyond, and in the foreground track with compressed clinker and oil. 6####GZ01-DID-s5901-PARKD
Its front end bearing painted over collision damage, D866 “ZEBRA” runs westwards into the east end of Didcot Station light engine. Several years earlier, this loco was used in promotional photos when originally bearing this colour-scheme. 7107#AA01-DID—D866-LIG_D
With the cooling towers of Didcot Power Station behind them, D7036, D7037 and D7035 respectively are neatly lined-up like peas in a pod, as they await new duties, although D7036’s small yellow panel livery varies from the others. The second digit ‘O’ denotes Southern Region workings. Copyright: CTLS 7108##A01-DID-D7XXX-PARKD
Prototype High Speed Train 252001 is in a very short formation as it passes west through Didcot station in 1974, possibly in one of its UK railway speed record attempts. It’s headcode is an exceptionally-rare three lights, all the more visible because of the dark drizzly day of it’s visitation, and there seem few present on the platforms to witness the unusual sight. 74###AQ01-DID-2~001-TES_T
With one engine smoking, D1016 “WESTERN GLADIATOR” is ready for duty in the yard at Didcot on a wet and overcast day. Ballast hoppers, coal empties and vans are parked around and rank grass grows in profusion in the gap among the tracks. 75###AK04-DID-D1016-PARKD
A Class 117 DMU heads another three-car set in a train from Paddington to Oxford, paused at the junction station of Didcot to set down and take up passengers in 1979. I can remember this scene several times from Didcot Railway Centre visits. 790303A01-DID-DMUX6-PAS_D
The Eric Curnow Collection 