Old Oak Common Open Day - Saturday 2nd September 2017

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) will be opening their Old Oak Common depot, London, to the public on Saturday 2nd September 2017. This year marks the depot's 111th birthday and this event will likely be the last opportunity for the public to visit the site. OOC^▸ (Old Oak Common (depot)) is due to close and be demolished in 2018.

There are no public details on tickets and times as i type (17th March 2017) but a brief has gone out to GWR staff:

Old Oak Common depot Open Day – save the date

Old Oak Common is marking its 111th birthday this year, and will be holding an Open Day on Saturday 2 September. The day will be themed OOC111 – Legends of the Great Western, and will be a celebration of the locomotives Old Oak Common has maintained over the years. The event follows the success of the St Philips Marsh Open Day last year, which raised more than £20,000 for charity."

[Western Pathfinder]

Thanks for the heads up on this event BNM.

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

I worked there 1978 - 80.  The HST^▸ (High Speed Train) Shed was still quite new, and the older bits - the Factory, Inspection Shed and turntable, Coronation Shed, Carriage Shed, etc - were still open and busy.  I think from past comments that there are a few other Forum members who worked there also.  Must try and go along. 

[JayMac]

GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) press release:

LEGENDS OF THE GREAT WESTERN

17th March 2017

Iconic London depot to be revealed to members of the public in celebration of 111 years of engineering excellence

Exactly 111 years since opening on 17 March 1906, GWR has today announced Old Oak Common (OOC^▸ (Old Oak Common (depot))) depot will be opened to members of the public.

Celebrating its contribution in maintaining the Legends of the Great Western, the depot will hold an open day on Saturday 2 September; OOC111.

On display will be a unique collection of trains and locomotives, both old and new, which make the Great Western ‘God’s Wonderful Railway’. Full line up to be announced soon.

During its 111-year history, the depot and its dedicated, highly skilled staff have maintained everything from the Kings and Castles of the steam era, to the diesel-powered Westerns and Warships.

In 1976 the depot was the maintenance hub in the Western region for the newly introduced High Speeds Trains, the iconic trains which changed the face of Intercity travel in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom).

While the HST^▸ (High Speed Train) fleet still operates today it is soon to be replaced after over 40 years of service by the new Hitachi Intercity Express Train, which will provide another step change in passenger experience when they begin passenger services later this year.

Tickets will go on sale shortly and demand is expected to be high for this unique event.

All profits will go to the depot’s chosen charity Place2Be, which provides mental health support for children in schools and whose patron is HRH The Duchess of Cambridge.

In May 2016 GWR’s St Philips Marsh depot raised over £20,000 for charity with a celebration of 40 years of the High Speed Train.

[Electric train]

I worked there 1978 - 80.  The HST^▸ (High Speed Train) Shed was still quite new, and the older bits - the Factory, Inspection Shed and turntable, Coronation Shed, Carriage Shed, etc - were still open and busy.  I think from past comments that there are a few other Forum members who worked there also.  Must try and go along. 

I was an OOC^▸ (Old Oak Common (depot)) allocated apprentice 1975 - 79 did part of my time at the Oak Sept 76, I first went into the HST shed around in early 77 was all shiny and new; think it was one or two A exams a week on the production HST that were being used for driver training etc and the prototype which had a C exam    plus did all the usual haunts Factory, C & W ODM

I ended my time at Padd ODM ...................

OOC as a GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) depot may be closing but OCC will still live on past its 111th birthday with the Crossrail errrrrrrrrrrrrr Elizabeth Line Depot and not forgetting just to the South is Hitachi North Pole Depot

[William.hill]

Hi does anyone have any information on this event such as how to obtain tickets etc ?
Thanks in advance

Will.

[Brucey]

Hi does anyone have any information on this event such as how to obtain tickets etc ?
Thanks in advance

Will.

Welcome to the forum.  There is a placeholder website at http://oocopenday.com/, but no opportunity to purchase tickets yet.

I am sure there will be a contignent of Coffee Shop members attending.  I plan on going, but will have to double check my diary nearer the time (it potentially clashes with travel to a conference).

[JayMac]

Rumours on social media that tickets will soon be on sale.

[The Tall Controller]

Hmmmm, should I get married or go to the open day instead? 

[JayMac]

Hmmmm, should I get married or go to the open day instead? 

Time enough to get OOC^▸ (Old Oak Common (depot)) to apply for a civil ceremony licence. Have the wedding in one of the sheds then. 

[Timmer]

Hmmmm, should I get married or go to the open day instead? 

I take it your wife to be doesn't read this forum Rob? 

[Adelante_CCT]

Does that mean those of us who cant get tickets to OOC^▸ (Old Oak Common (depot)) are invited to a wedding reception instead? 

[tomL]

Tickets are on sale as of a couple of hours ago. Grabbed mine already. 

[Brucey]

Tickets are on sale as of a couple of hours ago. Grabbed mine already. 

Thanks for the heads up.  I have added it to the forum calendar.

Ticket prices:
Adults £20
Children 4-15 £10
Group (2 adults + 2 children or 1 adult + 3 children) £45
VIP Tour £70

There is also a payment card fee.  For one adult ticket, it comes up as 52p for a Visa Credit, 30p for a Mastercard Credit, 24p for Mastercard Debit and 24p for Visa Debit.  Oddly, it is 25p for a foreign issued Mastercard Debit.

http://oocopenday.com/tickets.html

[JayMac]

Got my ticket.