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Swindon Works Collection

"Swindon Works: A Historical Journey Through Time" Step back in time with this captivating collection of images showcasing the rich history of Swindon Works

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Swindon Works Map, c. 1940s

Swindon Works Map, c. 1940s
Swindon Works Map, c.1940s, showing the growth of the GWR Works in Swindon between 1846 and the 1940s. The sheer volume of workshops and sidings can be seen in fascinating detail

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: 7 King Class Locomotives at Swindon Shed, 1930

7 King Class Locomotives at Swindon Shed, 1930
From l-r: No 6005 King George II, No 6008 King James II, No 6017 King Edward IV, No 6020 King Henry IV, No 6022 King Edward III, No 6023 King Edward II, No 6024 King Edward I

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: George Jackson Churchward (1857 - 1933)

George Jackson Churchward (1857 - 1933)
George Jackson Churchward, pictured here in 1918, was the GWRs Chief Mechanical Engineer between 1902 and 1921. He oversaw the Swindon Works modernisation and introduced the 4-6-0 locomotives

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Railway Queen Mabel Kitson on King George V at Swindon, 1928

Railway Queen Mabel Kitson on King George V at Swindon, 1928
Railway Queen Mabel Kitson, photographed on the running board of GWR locomotive King George V, at Swindon Works in 1928. Mabel became Railway Queen in 1927, aged 15

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: LMS coach no. 6204 converted to an ambulance train car, 1939

LMS coach no. 6204 converted to an ambulance train car, 1939
This official photograph of an ambulance train car was taken on behalf of the Swindon Works Drawing Office in October 1939

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: A man and woman carrying out work on a steam hammer during WW2, 1942

A man and woman carrying out work on a steam hammer during WW2, 1942
A man and woman carrying out work on a steam hammer during WW2 in the GWR Swindon Works, 1942. The man is wearing a blacksmiths apron

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: View of Swindon Works, 1982

View of Swindon Works, 1982
A view of Swindon Works in 1982 with an Intercity 125 speeding past on the main London to Bristol line. The building it is passing is now STEAM - Museum of the GWR

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Swindon Works Trip, 1931

Swindon Works Trip, 1931
GWR families from Swindon wait in line to board the trains for Trip week. Destinations included Weymouth, Weston Super Mare and Cornwall

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: View of Swindon Works, c1860

View of Swindon Works, c1860
This early photograph of the Works was taken from St Marks Church and shows R Shop (Machine Shop). Hundreds of wheels can be seen stored outside ready to be fitted to vehicles

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: No 6000 King George V in Swindon Works

No 6000 King George V in Swindon Works
4-6-0 King class locomotive. Built 1927

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: New Swindon, 1847

New Swindon, 1847
Lithograph of New Swindon in 1847 with broad gauge locomotive, Fire Brand, in foreground. Swindon Works can be seen to the right on the image, with the Railway Village to the left

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Locomotive No. 6014, King Henry VII, at Swindon Works

Locomotive No. 6014, King Henry VII, at Swindon Works
Seen here in A Shop in 1936 as streamlined. Broad gauge locomotive North Star can be seen in the background

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Swindon Works Hooter Operator 1936

Swindon Works Hooter Operator 1936
The hooter was a set of steam whistles that called employees into work, and signalled the end of the working day. The operator sounded the hooter by turning a wheel that released steam at high

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Swindon Works Tunnel Entrance, 1935

Swindon Works Tunnel Entrance, 1935
A sea of men can be seen leaving the Works, probably at lunchtime. This was the main entrance tunnel for the Works. The doors were promptly closed after each call for work

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: No 92220 Evening Star naming ceremony, 18th March 1960

No 92220 Evening Star naming ceremony, 18th March 1960
2-10-0 9F class locomotive, built 1960. Evening Star was the last mainline British Railways steam locomotive to be built in Britain at Swindon Works. Withdrawn 1965

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: No 7 Shop, Carriage Finishing Shop, 1924

No 7 Shop, Carriage Finishing Shop, 1924
Dozens of men can be seen here in the carriage finishing shop. It was here that parts of the carriages were finished off. Doors

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: No 5055, Lydford Castle, at Swindon Works, c1950s

No 5055, Lydford Castle, at Swindon Works, c1950s
Castle Class locomotive, Lydford Castle, can be seen here moving onto traverser in A Erecting Shop at Swindon Works

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Swindon Works Drawing Office, c. 1959

Swindon Works Drawing Office, c. 1959
Swindon Works Drawing Office, c.1959

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Steam locomotives undergoing repair in A Shop in 1957

Steam locomotives undergoing repair in A Shop in 1957
Steam locomotives undergoing repair in A shop in 28th September 1957. The replica Broad Gauge locomotive North Star is on its plinth in the centre of the image

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Crowds at the Evening Star naming ceremony, 18th March 1960

Crowds at the Evening Star naming ceremony, 18th March 1960
Crowds at the naming ceremony for Evening Star at Swindon Works in 1960. Evening Star was the last mainline British Railways steam locomotive to be built in Britain at Swindon Works

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Swindon Works staff boarding Trip trains in 1934

Swindon Works staff boarding Trip trains in 1934
Swindon Works staff and families making their way to board Trip Trains in 1934

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: No 4 Shop, Carriage Body Shop, 1946

No 4 Shop, Carriage Body Shop, 1946
These men are working hard helping to construct a Hawksworth coach body. Each piece of timber and frame had its own place and slotted in with exact precision

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: No 4 Shop, Carriage Body Shop, 1913

No 4 Shop, Carriage Body Shop, 1913
The large expanse that is the carriage body shop can be seen here. Several carriage bodies can be seen lined up as they are assembed

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: K Shop - Coppersmiths, 1938

K Shop - Coppersmiths, 1938
Making domes and saftey valve covers

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: AE Erecting Shop, c1927

AE Erecting Shop, c1927
Construction of a King class locomotive

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Locomotive No 4082, Windsor Castle, c. 1920s

Locomotive No 4082, Windsor Castle, c. 1920s
Castle Class locomotive, Windsor Castle, is being prepared with royal regalia at Swindon Works. Eight men can be seen cleaning the locomotive ready for use by the Royal Family

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Swindon Works tunnel entrance, 1966

Swindon Works tunnel entrance, 1966
This was the main Swindon Works tunnel entrance. The image was taken in 1966 when the new sign had been erected. The two smaller signs display access time for vehicles

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: V shop, c1930

V shop, c1930
Rivetting a firebox

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: F Shop, Steam Hammer Shop, c1930s

F Shop, Steam Hammer Shop, c1930s

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: The building of 24 Shop (Stage 7 - completion)

The building of 24 Shop (Stage 7 - completion)
This image was taken in 1929 and shows 24 Shop at Swindon Works newly built. 24 Shop was part of the Carriage and Wagon Works and was for paint and body repairs

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: The building of 24 Shop (Stage 3)

The building of 24 Shop (Stage 3)
This image was taken in about 1929 and shows the early stages of the construction of 24 Shop at Swindon Works. 24 Shop was part of the Carriage and Wagon Works and was for paint and body repairs

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: The building of 24 Shop (Stage 1)

The building of 24 Shop (Stage 1)
This snowy image was taken in about 1929 and shows the early stages of the construction of 24 Shop at Swindon Works. 24 Shop was part of the Carriage and Wagon Works and was for paint

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: U.s locomotive No. 1604 at Swindon Works in December 1942

U.s locomotive No. 1604 at Swindon Works in December 1942
U.S locomotive, No. 1604 is photographed here at Swindon Works in December 1942. Many of the American engines that were shipped to Britain were actually on their way to service on the continent

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: View of the south side of A Shop, c1914

View of the south side of A Shop, c1914

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: No 6000 King George V at Swindon Works

No 6000 King George V at Swindon Works
4-6-0 King class locomotive. Built 1927. Seen here at Swindon Works suspended above BR diesels No 08 036 and 08 675

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: GWR Pannier Tank No. 1366, outside Swindon Works, 1934

GWR Pannier Tank No. 1366, outside Swindon Works, 1934
This 0-6-0 Pannier Tank was built at Swindon Works in 1934. It was part of the 1366 class of pannier tank locomotives. This particular locomotive was withdrawn in 1961

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: 8in. howitzer gun carriage on an Open B wagon at Swindon Works, c. 1914

8in. howitzer gun carriage on an Open B wagon at Swindon Works, c. 1914
This 8in. howitzer gun carriage was one of the first batch to be made at Swindon Works. It sits on an unfinished OPEN B wagon awaiting dispatch

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: No 5 Shop, Train Lighting Shop, 1950

No 5 Shop, Train Lighting Shop, 1950
These men are working on the components used in the assembly of carriage lights. In the centre of the image, on the floor, is a domed light fitting either awaiting repair or construction

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Workers riveting a locomotive boiler in V Boiler Shop c. 1942

Workers riveting a locomotive boiler in V Boiler Shop c. 1942
In this image taken at Swindon Works sometime during the latter half of the war, three women are shown working on the riveting of a locomotive boiler in V Boiler Shop

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Matilda II tanks under construction at Swindon Work in 1941

Matilda II tanks under construction at Swindon Work in 1941
In September 1941, three Matilda II tanks were photographed leaving AE shop on Rectank wagons. The tanks are incomplete and are presumably ready to be transported elsewhere for final assembly

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Wheeling a King Class locomotive, A Shop, 1927

Wheeling a King Class locomotive, A Shop, 1927

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Swindon Works Weighbridge

Swindon Works Weighbridge
Internal view showing Pooley scales

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Swindon Works Weighbridge, 1950

Swindon Works Weighbridge, 1950
Internal view showing the large Pooley scales

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Women working in the Swindon Works laundry, c1930

Women working in the Swindon Works laundry, c1930

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Swindon Works, F Shop Cricket Club, 1905

Swindon Works, F Shop Cricket Club, 1905

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Men in the Engine Repairs shop at Swindon Works in 1985

Men in the Engine Repairs shop at Swindon Works in 1985
Men in the Engine Repairs shop at Swindon Works in May 1985. The slogans on the wall tell of the imminant closure of the Works

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: B Shed in about 1900

B Shed in about 1900
A small group of men stand in a building known as B Shed. It was used for the maintenance of tank locomotives and tenders. B Shed stood next to what is now STEAM Museum of the GWR

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: No 21 Shop, Wagon Repairs and Building Shop, c1930s

No 21 Shop, Wagon Repairs and Building Shop, c1930s
Several men can be seen here in one of the wagon repair bays. The platform gave workers easier access to the inside of the wagons

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: No 12 Shop, Carpenters Shop, 1953

No 12 Shop, Carpenters Shop, 1953
Carpentry was a skilled craft. Here three men are making various bits of furniture, including chairs, desk and cabinets. A stack of timber can be seen piled on the mezzanine floor behind them

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: No 21 Shop, Wagon Repair Shop, c. 1950s

No 21 Shop, Wagon Repair Shop, c. 1950s
Here a wagon frame is being removed from its wheels in preparation for some repairs. Temporary trolley wheels were added to move the frame into the workshop

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: No 7 Carriage Finishing Shop, 1907

No 7 Carriage Finishing Shop, 1907
This photo looks to have been taken at the end of a working day. Tools have been left and sawdust can be seen on the floor after a day preparing doors

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: No 1 Shop, Sawmill, c1950s

No 1 Shop, Sawmill, c1950s
A view looking down the length of No.1 Shop, the sawmill. A crane is carrying a large log ready to be cut into timber. To the right newly cut timber lengths have been processed

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Old Saw Mills, Newburn Crescent, c1870

Old Saw Mills, Newburn Crescent, c1870
Before No 1 Sawmills opened in the far west of the Works wood was cut at a mill on Newburn Crescent. The men in this image have been busy cutting length of timber

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: No 9 Carriage Trimming Shop, c1930s

No 9 Carriage Trimming Shop, c1930s
Two ladies are sat weaving luggage racks for the carriages built at Swindon Works. The majority of women were employed at the Works in roles that required good dexterity and skill

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: No 19 (C / D) Shops, c1930

No 19 (C / D) Shops, c1930
No 19 C and D shops covered both carriage lifting and bogie repairs. 3 men can be seen in this image lift a frame onto a set of wheels with the help of an overhead crane

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: 12a Carpenters Shop, 1960

12a Carpenters Shop, 1960
The carpenters shop was based within the Carriage and Wagons Works. Here they made an array of wooden items for use within the Great Western Railway

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Frederick J. Hawksworth (1884-1976)

Frederick J. Hawksworth (1884-1976)
Frederick J. Hawksworth was Chief Mechanical Engineer of the GWR from 1941 to 1947. He took over his role half way through the Second World War

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: No 8 Shop, Paint Shop, 1953

No 8 Shop, Paint Shop, 1953
Two men can be seen here painting a carriage. The carriages, like locomotives, had their own special livery that had to be painted with precision

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Swindon Works employees manouvering a wheel set by crane, c. 1940

Swindon Works employees manouvering a wheel set by crane, c. 1940
In this photograph a female crane operator is working alongside two male colleagues, manoeuvring a locomotive wheel set into place

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: King George V and Queen Mary on the footplate of Windsor Castle

King George V and Queen Mary on the footplate of Windsor Castle
King George V and Queen Mary on the footplate of locomotive No.4082 Windsor Castle during their visit to Swindon Works in April 1924

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: No 17 Shop, Road Vehicle Shop, 1907

No 17 Shop, Road Vehicle Shop, 1907
This image show both horse drawn vehicles and motor vehicles being built or repaired. The motor vehicles were omnibuses and were part of the GWR road passenger service that started in 1903

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: J Shop - Iron Foundry, 1924

J Shop - Iron Foundry, 1924
This images shows the length of the Iron Foundry, which was often known as the Long Shop

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: King George V and Queen Mary on the footplate of Windsor Castle during their visit to Swindon Works

King George V and Queen Mary on the footplate of Windsor Castle during their visit to Swindon Works
April 28th 1924

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Women war workers making ammunition shells in 24F Shop, 1943

Women war workers making ammunition shells in 24F Shop, 1943
These women have been tasked with the pressing on of copper bands and insertion of base plates for 25-pounder quick firing, high explosive, streamline shells

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: No 4 Shop, Carriage Body Shop, c1920s

No 4 Shop, Carriage Body Shop, c1920s
Several men can be seen here working on building coaches in No 4 Shop. The carriages are in varying stages from early frameworks to near completion

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Swindon Works ambulance in the 1950s

Swindon Works ambulance in the 1950s
In 1940 a motor ambulance was provided to Swindon Works. It was kept at the Works’ Fire Station alongside the fire engines

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Carriage and Wagon Works Casualty Centre, 1962

Carriage and Wagon Works Casualty Centre, 1962
The Casualty Centre in the Carriage and Wagons Works in Swindon was a well-equipped facility. The nurses employed there could deal with all manner of first aid emergencies

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Carriage and Wagon Works Casualty Centre, 1962

Carriage and Wagon Works Casualty Centre, 1962
The Casualty Centre in the Carriage and Wagons Works in Swindon was a well-equipped facility. The nurses employed there could deal with all manner of first aid emergencies

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Carriage and Wagon Works Casualty Centre, 1962

Carriage and Wagon Works Casualty Centre, 1962
The Casualty Centre in the Carriage and Wagons Works in Swindon was a well-equipped facility. The nurses employed there could deal with all manner of first aid emergencies

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Swindon Works General Stores, First Aid Section, about 1950

Swindon Works General Stores, First Aid Section, about 1950
The General Stores at Swindon Works held all sorts of equipment that was needed to run a railway, including first aid supplies

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Two men up a ladder in G Shop, 1913

Two men up a ladder in G Shop, 1913
G Shop at Swindon Works in 1913. This image is probably a posed shot for the Safety Movement Campaign, highlighting the safety issues of two men up a ladder!

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: The building of 24 Shop (Stage 6)

The building of 24 Shop (Stage 6)
This image was taken in 1929 and shows the construction of 24 Shop at Swindon Works near completion. 24 Shop was part of the Carriage and Wagon Works and was for paint and body repairs

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: The building of 24 Shop (Stage 5)

The building of 24 Shop (Stage 5)
This image was taken in 1929 and shows the construction of 24 Shop at Swindon Works near completion. 24 Shop was part of the Carriage and Wagon Works and was for paint and body repairs

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: The building of 24 Shop (Stage 4)

The building of 24 Shop (Stage 4)
This image was taken in 1929 and shows the construction of 24 Shop at Swindon Works. 24 Shop was part of the Carriage and Wagon Works and was for paint and body repairs

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: The building of 24 Shop (Stage 2)

The building of 24 Shop (Stage 2)
This image was taken in about 1929 and shows the early stages of the construction of 24 Shop at Swindon Works, 24 Shop was part of the Carriage and Wagon Works and was for paint and body repairs

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Steam locomotives waiting to be scrapped lined up in the Concentration Yard at Swindon Works in 1952

Steam locomotives waiting to be scrapped lined up in the Concentration Yard at Swindon Works in 1952
Steam locomotives waiting to be scrapped are shown lined up in the Concentration Yard at Swindon Works in 1952

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Class 52 Western Locomotive No. D1000 Western Enterprise

Class 52 Western Locomotive No. D1000 Western Enterprise, the first Western to be built at Swindon Works. Type 4 diesel hydraulic locomotives built at Swindon Works and Crewe Works between 1961

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Locomotive No. 2939, Croome Court, 1935

Locomotive No. 2939, Croome Court, 1935
This image of the Saint class locomotive was take at Swindon Works in June 1935. The locomotive looks to be in A Shop and was probably in for an overhaul

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Apprentice Training School, Class of 1980 / 1981

Apprentice Training School, Class of 1980 / 1981
Group photograph of the class of 1980/1981 of the Apprentice Training School in Swindon, taken in August 1981. The training school was situated at Dean Street

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Macaw B railway wagon No. 84350 loaded with gun carriages at Swindon Works, c. 1915

Macaw B railway wagon No. 84350 loaded with gun carriages at Swindon Works, c. 1915
Macaw B railway wagon No. 84350 has been photographed here loaded with 2 gun carriages awaiting dispatch from Swindon Works

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Naval guns at Swindon Works, alongside Star Class locomotive, no. 4013 Knight of St Patrick, c. 1915

Naval guns at Swindon Works, alongside Star Class locomotive, no. 4013 Knight of St Patrick, c. 1915
A view of four naval guns at Swindon works, positioned with Star Class locomotive, no. 4013 Knight of St Patrick on show on the turntable. This is very much a publicity photograph for the GWR

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: No 18 Stamping Shop at Swindon Works in 1915

No 18 Stamping Shop at Swindon Works in 1915
A view of No. 18 Stamping Shop from March 1915, showing the reverse of a stationary boiler. At the bottom left of the image are sheets of metal ready to be heated in the gas furnaces just above

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: No 3 Shop, Carriage fitting and machine shop, 1953

No 3 Shop, Carriage fitting and machine shop, 1953
Two men operate a 90 ton press in the carriage fitting shop. The press enabled sheet metal to be bent into shapes. It was cut and then assembled on carriages and wagons

Background imageSwindon Works Collection: Australian Navy on locomotive No. 6021 King Richard II, 1945

Australian Navy on locomotive No. 6021 King Richard II, 1945
A group of visitors from the Australian Navy pose for this photograph on top of locomotive No.6021 King Richard II. The officers



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"Swindon Works: A Historical Journey Through Time" Step back in time with this captivating collection of images showcasing the rich history of Swindon Works. Delve into the past as you explore a vintage Swindon Works Map from the 1940s, providing a glimpse into the bustling hub of locomotive production during its heyday. Witness the grandeur and power of 7 King Class Locomotives at Swindon Shed in 1930, an awe-inspiring sight that exemplifies the engineering prowess of this iconic establishment. Meet George Jackson Churchward (1857 - 1933), a visionary engineer whose innovative designs revolutionized railway technology and left an indelible mark on Swindon Works' legacy. Join us on a memorable Swindon Works Trip in 1931, where workers proudly showcase their craftsmanship and dedication to building exceptional locomotives that would traverse Britain's rail network. Marvel at Railway Queen Mabel Kitson as she graces King George V at Swindon in 1928, embodying elegance amidst industrial might. Discover how even during times of conflict, such as World War II, Swindon Works played a vital role by converting LMS coach no. 6204 into an ambulance train car – demonstrating resilience and adaptability in service to our nation. Uncover stories untold as we witness men and women diligently working on steam hammers during WW2 in 1942; their unwavering commitment contributing to the war effort. Transport yourself further back to c1860 with a mesmerizing view capturing the essence of early days at Swindon Works when it was still taking shape but already showing immense promise for future success. Experience No. 6000 King George V being meticulously crafted within these very walls - an emblematic symbol representing both power and prestige synonymous with British railways.

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