Swindon Works Collection

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Withdrawn 1965

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AE Erecting Shop, c1927
Construction of a King class locomotive

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

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

V shop, c1930
Rivetting a firebox

F Shop, Steam Hammer Shop, c1930s

View of the south side of A Shop, c1914

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wheeling a King Class locomotive, A Shop, 1927

Swindon Works Weighbridge
Internal view showing Pooley scales

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

Women working in the Swindon Works laundry, c1930

Swindon Works, F Shop Cricket Club, 1905

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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.