GWR 175 Didcot Gala Part 1: 1st May 2010

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In May 2010, the Great Western Society held a gala event at Didcot Railway Centre to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of the founding of the Great Western Railway. This was one of the highlights in the GWR 175 celebrations across the country. Here we present a gallery of photographs taken by the author at the event. (Alex Naughton Collection) Photo: GWR Special Saloon No 9002 on a rare trip outside coming of the main demonstration line behind GWR 4-4-0 No 3717 City of Truro (visitor). (1st May 2010) Photo: A fine line up of locomotives outside the Engine Shed with GWR Castle class 4-6-0 No 5029 Nunney Castle (visitor), GWR Castle class 4-6-0 No 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecumbe (visitor), GWR Hall class 4-6-0 No 5900 Hinderton Hall, GWR Modified Hall class 4-6-0 No 6998 Burton Agnes Hall, GWR Mogul class 2-6-0 No 5322, and GWR Castle class 4-6-0 No 5051 Earl Bathurst. (1st May 2010) Photo*: A timeless scene outside the Engine Shed with GWR Castle class 4-6-0 No 5029 Nunney Castle (visitor), GWR Castle class 4-6-0 No 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecumbe (visitor) and GWR Hall class 4-6-0 No 5900 Hinderton Hall. (1st May 2010) Photo*: A fine portrait view of 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecumbe (visitor) on shed at Didcot. The locomotive was visiting on a railtour from Birmingham where it is normally based at the Vintage Trains base at Tyseley. (1st May 2010) Photo*: A side angle view of 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecumbe (visitor) on shed at Didcot. (1st May 2010) Photo*: A fine portrait view of visiting 5029 Nunney Castle alongside the Engine Shed at Didcot. (1st May 2010) Photo*: A side angle view of 5029 Nunney Castle at Didcot with 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecumbe in the background. (1st May 2010) Photo: Visiting GWR Manor class 4-6-0 No 7827 Lydham Manor on the turntable at Didcot. This locomotive is normally based at the Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway in Devon and was making a rare visit away from its home base. (1st May 2010) Photo: Visiting GWR Autotank 0-4-2T No 1450 is seen on a branch line train at Didcot Halt. (1st May 2010) Photo: Visiting GWR City class 4-4-0 No 3717 City of Truro on the turntable at Didcot in its new 1920s GWR livery. This locomotive is normally based at the National Railway Museum and is part of the National Collection. (1st May 2010) Photo**: A view of GWR Mogul class 2-6-0 No 5322 alongside the Engine Shed in its distinctive First World War ROD khaki livery. (1st May 2010) Photo: 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecumbe (visitor), 5051 Earl Bathurst and GWR Heavy Goods 2-8-0 No 3822 on shed at Didcot while 5029 Nunney Castle (visitor) can be seen in the background with a train on the main demonstration line. (1st May 2010) Photo: Visiting GWR Castle class 4-6-0 No 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecumbe on shed at Didcot. (1st May 2010) Photo: Two Castles. 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecumbe (visitor) and 5051 Earl Bathurst on shed at Didcot. (1st May 2010) Photo: A fine line up at Didcot with 3717 City of Truro (visitor), 5900 Hinderton Hall, 6998 Burton Agnes Hall, 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecumbe (visitor) and 5051 Earl Bathurst on shed. (1st May 2010) Photo: 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecumbe has come off shed and is moving down towards the turntable area. (1st May 2010) Photo: 3717 City of Truro (visitor), 5900 Hinderton Hall and 6998 Burton Agnes Hall on shed at Didcot. (1st May 2010) Photo: A fine view of 3717 City of Truro (visitor) on shed at Didcot in its 1920s GWR livery. (1st May 2010) Photo*: A fine side angle view of 3717 City of Truro (visitor) at Didcot. (1st May 2010) Photo*: A typical shed scene at Didcot with 5051 Earl Bathurst centre stage. (1st May 2010) Photo: A view of the Engine Shed view as 5029 Nunney Castle (visitor) passes on its way to the turntable with 3717 City of Truro (visitor), 5900 Hinderton Hall and 6998 Burton Agnes Hall on shed. (1st May 2010) Photo: 3717 City of Truro (visitor), 5900 Hinderton Hall and 6998 Burton Agnes Hall shine in the sunshine outside the Engine Shed. (1st May 2010) Photo*: 3717 City of Truro (visitor) and 5900 Hinderton Hall rest outside the Engine Shed. (1st May 2010) Photo: GWR Special Saloon No 9002 on a rare trip outside at Didcot. This special saloon was regularly used to convey dignatories such as Her Majesty the Queen Mother, General Eisenhower and Sir Winston Churchill. (1st May 2010) Photo: Little and Large. Industrial Tank 0-4-0ST Bonnie Prince Charlie poses with GWR Castle class 4-6-0 No 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecumbe (visitor) at Didcot. (1st May 2010) Photo: A magnificent portrait view of visiting 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecumbe. (1st May 2010) Photo: A fine line up at Didcot with 3717 City of Truro (visitor), 5900 Hinderton Hall, 6998 Burton Agnes Hall, 5029 Nunney Castle (visitor) and 5051 Earl Bathurst on shed. (1st May 2010) Photo: 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecumbe (visitor) waits to leave Didcot Railway Centre and rejoin its railtour to take it back to Birmingham. (1st May 2010) Photo: A general view of the Engine Shed as 3717 City of Truro (visitor) comes off shed. (1st May 2010) Photo: A side angle view of 3717 City of Truro (visitor) alongside the Engine Shed. (1st May 2010) Photo*: A classic view of 3717 City of Truro looking immaculate alongside the Engine Shed. (1st May 2010) Photo**: A portrait view of Wantage Tramway well tank 0-4-0WT No 5 Shannon. (1st May 2010) Photo: GWR Autotank No 1450 (visitor) and Autocoach No 231 at rest on the branch line. (1st May 2010) Photo: The former Radstock North signal box. (1st May 2010)

        (c) The AJN Transport Britain Collection 2010                                                                                                                                                                                 A TRANSPORT BRITAIN WEBSITE