Rail enthusiasts can try travelling like Edwardian commuters tomorrow when a unique rebuilt Great Western Railway steam railmotor takes to the tracks in Didcot.

The railmotors were the first generation of trains that were self-propelled, instead of being coupled to a locomotive, and could be driven from cabs at either end.

Powered by a small boiler built into one end, the railmotor will be unveiled at Didcot Railway Centre by Adrian Shooter, the chairman of Chiltern Trains.

And to mark the occasion, some of the modern descendants of the railmotor, First Great Western and Chiltern Railways’ diesel multiple units, including a brand-new Chiltern Class 172 commuter train, will be on display at the centre.

Adrian Brodie, a spokesman for the Great Western Railway Society, said: “Bearing in mind that not many years ago Steam Railmotor 93 was a derelict hulk, every detail of the period interior has been faithfully recreated.

“For example, the fabric for the roller blinds was specially woven in Holland, the seating moquette was made to the original pattern, and the gas lights were recreated by specialists Sugg.”

Built in 1908, No 93 was withdrawn from service in 1934, and converted into an auto-trailer for use on loco-powered push-pull trains.

After being taken out of passenger service in 1956, it was then converted into a mobile office.

The Great Western Society bought the vehicle in the early 1970s with the hope that one day it could be restored to its original condition.

Work started in the early 1990s and, thanks to a Heritage Lottery Fund grant to rebuild and restore the train at the Llangollen Railway, in Wales, No 93 is now ready to be unveiled at Didcot, 76 years since a steam railmotor last ran under its own power in the UK.