Great Western Railway has announced its Legends of the Great Western open day at Old Oak Common depot has won a prestigious silver Golden Whistle award for Outstanding teams and they also raised £50,000 towards children’s charity, Place2Be.

The open day celebrated the 111 years since Old Oak Common depot opened in 1906.

Throughout its history, Old Oak Common has maintained everything from the GWR castles, to Warships and HSTs.

The HST fleet still operates today, but they are being replaced after over 40 years of service by the new Hitachi Intercity Express Train.

In total £50,366 was raised for the depot’s chosen charity Place2Be. The charity 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.

The line-up at Old Oak Common comprised of:

• King Edward II – King Class locomotive 6023
• Formarke Hall – Hall Class locomotive 7903
• Greyhound – Warship Class locomotive D821
• Western Champion – Western Class locomotive D1015
• Ark Royal – Class 50 locomotive 50 035
• Sir Kenneth Grange – Class 43 locomotive 43 002
• Class 180 train 180 XXX
• Queen Elizabeth II/Queen Victoria – Class 800 Intercity Express Train 800 003

What did the officials say?

GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood said “The depot at Old Oak has been a central feature of the Great Western network for generations, helping to maintain a host of different train fleets throughout its long history. It is fitting that we pay a tribute to the people who work there, and the contribution they have made, and I am delighted to see them recognized in this way winning this silver award.”

• Visit the Great Western Railway website
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