Didcot Railway Centre - Diamond Jubilee Gala - 31/07/2021

31st July - 1st August 2021 saw the Didcot Railway Centre host the first of a number of special events planned for 2021, which celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Great Western Railway Society.
Stars of the show included USATC S160 2-8-0, No.6046 (courtesy of the Churnet Valley Railway) - making the first time this class of loco has been seen at Didcot shed since the 1940s, and Kitson built Lambton Colliery 0-6-2T, No.29 (on loan for the summer season from the North Yorkshire Moors Railway).
Filmed on Saturday 31st July, we see the operational steam fleet on both demonstration running lines, as well as multiple turntable demonstrations, loco line ups, and wagons being propelled up the incline to the coal stage.
Loco List;
Steam
USATC S160 2-8-0, No.6046 (courtesy of the Churnet Valley Railway)
Kitson Lambton Colliery 0-6-2T, No.29 (courtesy of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway)
GWR Saint Class 4-6-0, No.2999 'Lady of Legend'
Avonside 0-4-0ST, No.1340 'Trojan'
Diesel
British Rail Class 08, No.08604 'Phantom' (not featured in video)
British Rail Class 14, No.D9516 (not featured in video)
Hope you enjoy!

[@kevindevine7597]

Absolutely superb. The additional lineside details of signals, telegraph poles, fauna, sky etc really add to the total atmosphere of the film. These prouctions are of TV and specialist film quality, often better. Well done and thanks for sharing.

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks! Glad you enjoyed it

[@ncs8730]

Yes, enjoyed very much, thank you!

[@JonathanDunbar]

Great video! The whistle on that Lambton Colliery engine is something else!

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks! Oh yes! Sounds like a tug boat!

[@MrDavil43]

The way you'd arranged for the Belmond Pullman to pass in the background just as the S160 was being turned was masterful. A well-filmed record of a great event.

[@SDJR7F88]

Ah yes, I ment to do that... 😅 (Was just very well time and happened to have the camera in the right place, I didn't even know it was coming to be fair) 🤣. Glad you enjoyed

[@alantoms3263]

That model railway of yours is looking more realistic than ever - really impressive steam and clag!! Thanks for sharing. Looks like you had an enjoyable outing. Al.

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks indeed Alan! Ha! I wish. Never know, we might get a OO S160 at some point, fingers crossed. Glad you enjoyed the video

[@alantoms3263]

@@SDJR7F88 Thanks. That S160 does appear a bit of a beast! I remember seeing it in a 'drag race' against a 9F - there's a video of that on here somewhere. 9F won, but not by much. Al.

[@kenhanks9620]

Fantastic to see the old "War Horse" 6046, as well as all the others, looking really good in service!

[@Gus-jb8cm]

Love that 6046 engine, it's got great styling. I'd love to have that in 00 guage.

[@SDJR7F88]

Oh yes, they really are superb machines!

[@SDJR7F88]

@Gus Totally agree there!!!

[@phph1731]

Flipping heck, that little saddle tank is a plucky beast! She raced off like a whippet. Lovely to see the legendary Lady too. Looks and sounds like a great day out. Cheers!

[@SDJR7F88]

She really is a fine machine! First time I've seen all of these locos (bar the S160) in action. Certain was a superb event

[@TheBrickGuy7939]

Great shot of the Northern Belle behind the working turntable and an American style locomotive in Britain is rare.

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks indeed! Was certainly good timing that (didn't even know the tour was coming) 😅 Glad you enjoyed

[@kineticrail]

Great video. I think most people enjoy seeing a S160 in action. It was nice to see the coal stage runs something a little different

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks! Oh yes, just got to love S160s hope to see more of them. Indeed, not scene that before there, so was quite the treat!

[@joelightrailway2362]

Excellent video of the gala at Didcot Callum 👍👍 I personally like the S160 loco as this locomotive is so incredibly powerful & awesome as well.

[@SDJR7F88]

Thanks Joe! Oh yes, just got to love the S160s.

[@pannierprairie7884]

Fantastic footage from the event, wouldn't have guessed they would bring in an S160, not that I'm complaining of course!

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks indeed! Oh yes, was quite a surprise, and one that certainly took our fancy! Hopefully we will get one in 00 at some point :)

[@pannierprairie7884]

@@SDJR7F88 People have been asking for one for years so fingers crossed that there is one secretly in development ready to be released in the next few weeks ;)

[@modelrailwaynoob]

Impressive line-up. Thanks for posting, Callum

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks mate

[@ronbramley2981]

Excellent display.Full marks to Didcot Railway Centre.

[@SDJR7F88]

They really did put on a superb show!

[@EthansTrains]

Great shots there, much better than what I got out of the 3 hours I was there for. Luckily I got a view of the coal stage move which was nice to see! What a fantastic day it was, despite the rain 😃👍

[@SDJR7F88]

I'm sure it will turn out well. Oh yes, was really hard to find a spot for that. Ha! Yes, managed to avoid the worst of it ;)

[@Jimyjames73]

Hiya - I don't think that I have been to the D. R. C. in many years!!! Interesting opening shot - With the Steam Loco on 1 side of the fence & the Modern day Loco on the other!!! Lovely Loco that green G. W. @ 8:00 🙂🚂🚂🚂

[@SDJR7F88]

Well worth a visit, if you get the chance. Might even catch a railtour in the background too. Really is a superb machine that.

[@John2E0GTU]

Many thanks for this superb recording!

[@SDJR7F88]

Thanks John! Glad it was of interest

[@jameswhiting4913]

Great video although seeing myself and how bald my heads got in a one of your shots is worrying 😂😂. Love didcot it's always a great day out and seeing the s160 was the tip of the ice burg

[@SDJR7F88]

Thanks James! Sorry about that 😅 Which shot was it? My first time for a gala there (have visited on normal steaming days in the past). Really is quite something. Oh yes! Got to be one of the stars of the show for me too

[@jameswhiting4913]

Was me by the fence at 2.20 and again at 3.35 1st window on second carriage. And yeah same was my first visit with a proper gala going. I visited eariler this year when trojan was first back in steam. I love the place definitely worth the 5hour round trip

[@roystudds1944]

Going there myself on Thursday. Looking forward to it. Thanks for the video. Roy.

[@SDJR7F88]

Hope you have a good time! Glad you enjoyed the video

[@moonshinerunner01]

WOW, Fantastic. I am so jealous

[@SDJR7F88]

Glad you enjoyed the video

[@MapTheDragonRailways]

Great video Callum. Looks like it was a fantastic display!

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks! Really was a superb line-up.

[@billcobbett9259]

The S160 is currently in service at the Bluebell Railway

[@SDJR7F88]

Sure is

[@HemelDownModelRailway]

It was a great day I was there too today , really like your camera work, very well put together! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@SDJR7F88]

Thanks Mark! Really was a superb event! Certainly plenty to see

[@HemelDownModelRailway]

@@SDJR7F88 yeah definitely! glad you enjoyed it too :)

[@davidsheriff8989]

I used to drive thru Didcot for years and I didn't know this was there....

[@SDJR7F88]

Really is well worth a visit!

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

Good video

[@SDJR7F88]

Many Thanks

[@scottishsteamproductions2014]

CHRIST ALMIGHTY !!!!! THE BARK ON THAT SAINT !!!! Also what's the odd attachment on the pannier for ? I've seen it on a few models and ohotos but never the real thing.

[@SDJR7F88]

Spark resistor for working with areas with flammable goods

[@Southerntrainspotter315]

7:08 just noticed the railtour on the mainline 🤣

[@SDJR7F88]

Oh yes, was a very luck / well timed catch that!

[@a1exr0ll44]

at 3:57 me and a friend may have been standing just a few metres away at the same moment while recording Trojan, nice video anyways :)

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks. Was a superb event!

[@a1exr0ll44]

@@SDJR7F88 indeed

[@40093jjmia]

Americans need to do more restoration events like this

[@simonpurbrick]

Nice video! I live in Abingdon so not far down the A34. Not been to the railway centre for few years. Once this crap Covid 19 is over and don't need to book, I plan to go with my father.

[@SDJR7F88]

Thanks Simon. It's very well thought out there so well worth visiting even with the booking slots

[@KINGANDCASTLE]

Nice one.

[@SDJR7F88]

Thanks

[@CalebsRailFilms]

Sensational! That Saint Class has a beautiful bark on her for sure. Do they still run the broad gauge track with Firefly? Or is she in for a overhaul? That little 0-4-0 definitely gets along lol 😆. Such a cute little thing. And that USA standard looks a bit odd on Collett coaching stock lol 😆. Still looks like a beast though. Love the new intro on the new layout. Perhaps you can do one appearing from Lyncombe Vale tunnel when it’s completed. I hope I got that right 😅. Finding it a bit hard to type stuff at the present. I’ve had this cold for almost three weeks now. Thankfully, I don’t have COVID. Just had another test yesterday which is always fun... not 😂. Meanwhile, it was pouring with rain and there was a literal river running down the street haha 🤣. The ADF (Australian Defence Force) personnel are doing the testing drive-thru stations. Quite different seeing the armed forces doing it. Very professional they were. I hope you and the family are keeping well and safe over there mate. Take care and thanks for sharing with us. Regards, Caleb

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks indeed! The Saint really is quite something. Sadly not currently, hasn't ran for a few year, but I'm sure one day it will run again. Trojan is a little beast, one of the stars of the show for me. Stay safe too mate

[@terrier_productions]

7:13 what was the chance of catching a railtour at the same time

[@SDJR7F88]

Was a very luck chat indeed!

[@privatejoker5403]

Did the S&D ever have a s160

[@SDJR7F88]

Don't think so, but if someone produces a OO model I'm sure one will ;)

[@oliverbrooke6930]

Northern Belle is back ground at 7:14

[@SDJR7F88]

Believe it was. Took me by surprise

[@RobA500]

Great film, you got some nice shots. Do you think they still demonstrate the Mail apparatus, I remember seeing it in action many years ago.

[@SDJR7F88]

Thanks Rob! Glad you enjoyed. Was thinking the very same when I was film that shot of the S160 near the apperatous. Not sure of they have done it in recent years.

[@Disneyland-m9p]

3:56 it’s percy

[@SDJR7F88]

Indeed!