20/05/10…..Here come the girls!

DIDCOT Railway Centre finished its highly successful nine day, GWR175 Extravaganza with perhaps a less noted, though no less noteworthy achievement on Sunday, May 9.

For the first time at Didcot, an all female crew was fielded, when a train on the main demonstration line, hauled by Pannier Tank No. 9466, driven by Marie Saville and fired by Ann Davies, came under the control of guard Ann Middleton.

As an added bonus, Sarah Sewell was present on the platform in her capacity as trainee Station Staff.
The two Anns are long standing volunteers, whereas Marie was visiting as part of the pannier tank crew. Sarah has just started training.

It’s not just fun for the boys at Didcot Railway Centre!

PHOTO:, left to right, in front of the pannier tank steam engine; Sarah Sewell, Ann Davies, Marie Saville and Ann Middleton.
Photo by Frank Dumbleton