Swindon Panel ‘Demonstrating Days’ are on the following dates:
| January: | |
| Sunday 6 | (DRC Exhibition Only Day) |
| Saturday 12 | (DRC Exhibition Only Day) |
| Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 | (DRC Exhibition Only Days) |
| Sunday 27 | (DRC Exhibition Only Day) |
| February: | |
| Sunday 3 | (DRC Exhibition Only Day) |
| Saturday 9 | (DRC Exhibition Only Day) |
| Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 | (DRC Steam Running Days) |
| Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 | (DRC Steam Running Days) |
| March: | |
| Saturday 2 | (DRC Exhibition Only Day) |
| Saturday 9 | (DRC Exhibition Only Day) |
| Sunday 24 | (DRC Exhibition Only Day) |
| Sunday 31 | (DRC Exhibition Only Day) |
| April: | |
| Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 | (DRC Saint Launch Weekend) |
| Saturday 13 | (DRC Heritage Diesel Days) |
| Friday 19, Saturday 20, Sunday 21, Monday 22 (Easter Weekend) |
(DRC Saint & King Easter Weekend) |
| Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 | (DRC Steam Punk Weekend) |
| May: | |
| Saturday 4, Sunday 5, Monday 6 (Bank Holiday Weekend) |
(DRC Steam Running Days) |
| Sunday 12 | (DRC Heritage Diesel Day) |
| Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 | (DRC Heritage Diesel Days) |
| Note, on Saturday 18, we will close for approximately 1 hour in the afternoon for our AGM. | |
| Saturday 25, Sunday 26, Monday 27 (Bank Holiday Weekend) |
(DRC Steam Running Days) |
| June: | |
| Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 | (DRC Steam Running Days) |
| Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 | (DRC Saint & Hall Weekend) |
| Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 | (DRC Fathers’ Day Event) |
| Saturday 22 | (DRC Steam Running Day) |
| Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 | (DRC Steam Running Days) |
| July: | |
| Saturday 6 | (DRC Steam Running Day) |
| Saturday 13 | (DRC Steam Running Day) |
| Saturday 20 | (DRC Star Tugs Day) |
| Sunday 28 | (DRC Steam Running Day) |
| August: | |
| Saturday 3 | (DRC Steam Running Day) |
| Sunday 11 | (DRC Steam Running Day) |
| Sunday 18 | (DRC Steam Running Day) |
| Saturday 24, Sunday 25, Monday 26 (August Holiday Weekend) |
(DRC Steam Running Days) |
| September: | |
| Sunday 1 | (DRC Steam Running Day) |
| Sunday 15 | (DRC Diesel Day) |
| Saturday 22 | (DRC Exhibition Only Day) |
| (DRC Exhibition Only Days) | |
| Unfortunately our 28 September open day has been cancelled as Didcot Railway Centre will now be closed that day. | |
| October: | |
| Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 | (DRC Thomas Days) |
| Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 | (DRC Exhibition Only Days) |
| Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 | (DRC Exhibition Only Days) |
| Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 | (DRC Steam Days) |
| Wednesday 30 | (DRC Steam Day) |
| November: | |
| Sunday 10 | (DRC Exhibition Only Day) |
| Sunday 17 | (DRC Exhibition Only Day) |
| Saturday 30 | (DRC Thomas & Santa Day) |
| December: | |
| Sunday 1 | (DRC Thomas & Santa Day) |
| Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 | (DRC Thomas & Santa Days) |
| Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 | (DRC Thomas & Santa Days) |
| Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 | (DRC Thomas & Santa Day) |
| Saturday 28 | (DRC Exhibition Only Day) |
| Monday 30 | (DRC Exhibition Only Day) |
| Wednesday 1 January 2020 | (DRC Exhibition Only Day) |
On all these days the panel will be open for visitors to view and have a go at operating under the guidance of our volunteer demonstrators. Visitors of all ages are welcome to learn about how railway signalling was operated in the 1960s-2000s era, and everyone is encouraged to have a go, guided by our demonstrators.
At all other times the panel is visible, through a large glass wall, but not operating, on all days that Didcot Railway Centre is open.
The frequency of opening is determined by volunteers who give their time to demonstrate the panel to visitors. You can join in and become a demonstrator.
Special Events
In addition to the above dates, the following special events are also planned:
Saturday 16 March – Panel Demonstrator’s Workshop
Saturday 18 May – SPS AGM
Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 September – Members’ Weekend (including overnight operation)
Saturday 16 November – Simulator Technical Conference
Saturday 23 / Sunday 24 November – SPS at Warley Show
Saturday 23 November – CE Grand Dinner
See the Didcot Railway Centre website for full details of DRC events.
SPS Members are very welcome to visit the panel on these days (please show your SPS membership card at the ticket office to gain entry), but please remember those demonstrators who are rostered are responsible for the panel and its presentation to the public on these days.