At Didcot Railway Centre we occasionally have steam trains running past the centre on main line rail tours.

A few weeks ago we all watched Flying Scotsman run through Didcot Parkway Station on her (yes she is definitely female) way to Chester. What a wonderful sight!

We’ve now got something that is even better than watching her steam past.

Flying Scotsman will be visiting Didcot Railway Centre over the August Bank Holiday and we are looking forward to welcoming visitors from all over the south east (and further afield) to Didcot.

She last visited Didcot Railway Centre 12 years ago in 2005 when a great time was had by all.

Flying Scotsman was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and built in Doncaster in 1923 for the London and North Eastern Railway.

She is based at the National Railway Museum so the centre is a great place to see her in the south.

She will be running on our main demonstration line and tickets will include a ride in our genuine 1930s vintage carriages.

There are lots of opportunities to photograph her as she runs past and I’m sure the photographers will try and catch her with one of the modern trains that run alongside the centre – Flying Scotsman and a high speed train or a modern Voyager or Turbo would make a lovely photo.

And because she will be running every 15 minutes or so, the view won’t be blocked by a passing train!

But that is not all.

Visitors can also travel behind another visiting steam engine, No 813, which is the Great Western Railway tank engine that helped us out earlier this year.

813 will be running on the branch line all day and its 1930s country scene with the signal boxes and level crossing is a lovely contrast to the “express” main demonstration line.

All our facilities, including the Black Python Real Ale Bar, will be open so visitors can visit our original engine shed, loco works and carriage display, air raid shelter and science learning & railways exhibition.

Families can watch the Flying Scotsman from the picnic area while the children play in Wilgrove Park - our train themed play park.

We know the parking situation in Didcot is challenging and we are advising visitors to come by train or bus if they can.

Online booking is now open for August Bank Holiday so make sure you go on our website to get your tickets in advance before they sell out.

For tickets and more information about the centre’s events visit: didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk