Didcot railway visitors celebrate National Biscuit Day

Friday was the national day of celebration and there were lots of events at the steam heritage centre to mark the occasion.

The celebration included engine No 4079 Pendennis Castle carrying a replica headboard from the 1920s, which was linked to an excursion to Huntley and Palmer’s famous biscuit factory at Reading.

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There was also a display of Huntley and Palmer’s biscuit tins, provided by Reading Museum.

Bohemia Aslin and Lilla Bish-Groucott from the museum wore vintage costumes as workers at the factory, and gave talks about the history of the company.

Bohemia Aslin and Lilla Bish-Groucott with Thomas Macey, a railway centre volunteer (Image: Frank Dumbleton)

Founded in the 1820s in Reading, the town became famous for biscuit manufacturing, until this ceased in 1976.

Visitors followed a biscuit trail around the railway centre, and were given train rides behind Pendennis Castle.

Frank Dumbleton, a volunteer at the rail centre, took photos of the activities.

Pendennis Castle hauling the passenger train (Image: Frank Dumbleton)

He said: “In the 1920s and 1930s the Great Western Railway used to run educational excursions to businesses, such as Fry’s chocolate factory at Somerdale near Bristol, the Pinewood film studios near Slough, the Ford Motor Company at Dagenham.

“As well as, of course, their own locomotive workshops at Swindon.”

The steam rail centre next to Didcot Parkway attracts thousands of visitors every year.

Steam rail enthusiasts can enjoy rides on the steam trains and the centre’s other attractions, including a cafe, a shop, an engine shed and a museum.