Activities 2020

Swindon Panel public open days are being published on a month-by-month basis for the rest of 2020. Please check back on this page to see when new dates are added for following months.

SPS Members are very welcome to visit the panel on Demonstration 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.

At other times the panel is visible, through a large glass wall, but not operating, on all days that Didcot Railway Centre is open.

PLEASE NOTE THIS CALENDAR MAY CHANGE AS COVID RESTRICTIONS ARE CHANGED.

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As you’ll see, lots of additional dates are added as the year progresses based on volunteer availability and other special events. 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.

Public Demonstration Days

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.

Members’ Activities

Orange days are members’ events. You can become a member of Swindon Panel Society to join in! We are not open to the public on orange days.

DIY Days

We are not open to the public on purple days. These are days when SPS volunteers tackle the maintenance and DIY tasks associated with the restoration of the panel.

Special Events

In addition to our normal Demonstration Days, the following special events are also planned:

Saturday 28 March
POSTPONED
Panel Demonstrator’s Mutual Improvement Day
[Members (and prospective demonstrator members) only]
Friday 3, Saturday 4, Sunday 5 April
POSTPONED
Enthusiasts’ Weekend
[Open to all]
Saturday 27 June SPS AGM
[Members and guests only]
This event will be held ‘online’. Details have been circulated to members.
Saturday 11 July
POSTPONED
PIC’s MIC Day
[Members only]
Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 September Members’ Weekend (including overnight operation)
[Members and guests only]

More details of the above Special Events will be published in due course.

See the Didcot Railway Centre website for full details of DRC events.