Didcot Railway Centre, Autumn Steam Gala, 12th September 2026

We are pleased to announce that the visiting engine for our annual steam gala this year will be 229, The “Coffee Pot” on loan from The Flour Mill.

229 is a Great Eastern Railway 0-4-0 tank engine built by Neilsons in Glasgow in 1876 and sold by the GER for use in the National Shipyard in Chepstow during the First World War, where it remained until sold by Fairfield Mabey in 1982. After cosmetic restoration it was on display at the North Woolwich Old Station Museum in East London from 1984 until 2008. Upon the shameful closure of the museum by Newham Council the locomotive was returned to the Flour Mill, where it is planned to start a full overhaul to working order in 2013.

This fabulous little engine is among the oldest steam locomotives in working order – and one of the smallest, weighing just 21 tons.

The name ‘Coffee Pot’, or ‘Flat-Top’, is thanks to its unusual flat-shaped water tank and it is Great Eastern Railway ‘209’ class 0-4-0ST no. 229. A truly delightful locomotive, it has been meticulously returned to working order for the first time in nearly 70 years by owner Bill Parker and his team at the Flour Mill workshops in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.

A 'Coffee-Pot' to delight Cotswold Festival of Steam visitors - Main Image

Join us for an exciting weekend and celebrate steam with this multi-engine event. See autotrain operations, freight trains, shunting demonstrations, plus tours of our workshop areas, usually closed to the public. See some of the features of our site in operation, including our signal box, traverser, turntable and coal stage.

This is a great way to travel back in time to the golden age of the Great Western Railway and savour the sights, sounds and smells of steam as you explore this 24-acre living museum with trains dating from Victorian times to the 1960s.

Steam trains will be operating on both demonstration lines, allowing you to take unlimited rides. Check our Locomotive Roster to see what we expect to be running on the date of your visit.

Stroll around the 1932 Engine Shed housing our unique collection of operational and cosmetically-restored locomotives. Find 5900 Hinderton Hall, climb onto the footplate and listen to Archie, the driver, and Stan, the fireman, prepare their loco! Listen out for the sounds of a working engine shed and see if you can hear Stan fetch his supplies from Jonah, the storeman.

Visit the carriage and wagon display of restored rolling stock from Victorian times to the 1940s, including the VIP Saloon reputed to have been used by General Eisenhower during the preparations for D-Day and later used in the GWR Royal Train, and our restoration workshops
Marvel at Brunel's Broad Gauge railway, locomotives, coaches and transfer shed and don't miss a section of his not entirely successful 'Atmospheric Railway'
Get hands-on in The Signalling Centre where you can find out how trains have been controlled through the ages. The Swindon Panel is demonstrated on certain specified dates.
Descend into a shelter built to keep Didcot's enginemen safe in WWII and experience an air raid
Immerse yourself in the huge and varied collection of fascinating, smaller items in the Museum.
Discover some GWR road vehicles in the Road Transport Hangar.