THE Great Western Society (GWS) has launched an urgent appeal to restore and repair one of the most important pieces of infrastructure at its Didcot Railway Centre site – the water tower and coal stage. It has been advised that without immediate attention, there is a possibility that the water tank could fail at any time, which would make running steam locomotives almost impossible in the short term.
It is estimated that the overall cost of the works will be about £300,000. The project has been boosted after the Railway Heritage Trust offered a grant of up to £100,000 – but the GWS now needs to find the remainder to enable it to complete the project.
The Grade II listed coal stage was new in July 1932, so is now approaching its 90th birthday. The tank, which is 43ft wide and 36ft deep (13.1 x 10.9 metres) holds 74,250 gallons (337,000 litres) of water. The tank feeds two water columns at the front of the engine shed, as well as hydrants around the shed.
Now the sole working example of a GWR coal stage, it is a popular attraction for visitors to see how locomotives were fuelled in the days of steam. The coal stage embankment also provides a grandstand view of locomotives displayed at the front of the engine shed.