Didcot Railway Centre - Reimagining the Engine Shed

We are delighted to be working with Didcot Railway Centre on the restoration and reinterpretation of its Grade II listed 1932 Engine Shed. Following our support on the successful Development Phase National Lottery Heritage Fund application, we are now developing the Delivery Phase submission to help realise an ambitious vision for the site.

The project will secure the future of the last surviving engine shed of its type in the UK, bringing the golden age of steam to life within a dynamic Living Museum. Our interpretation approach centres on the people of the Shed - past and present - immersing visitors in the authentic atmosphere of a working locomotive maintenance building.

Rather than conventional panels, stories will be woven into the fabric of the space: tools, paperwork, sound, and sensory detail will reveal the lived realities of railway work. Human stories will lead, with technical knowledge layered into the experience.

The vision is to create an immersive, atmospheric environment that engages enthusiasts and families alike - celebrating craft, industry and the ongoing dedication of volunteers - and ensuring this remarkable heritage is safeguarded for future generations.