Swindon Collection (page 10)

Vickers VA-3 under construction at Vickers-Armstrongs South Marston Works, Swindon

Vickers VA-1 research hovercraft, G-15-252, at Vickers-Armstrongs South Marston Works, Swindon

Swindon station on the Great Western Railway, 1845. Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859) favoured broad gauge 7ft 1/4inch (2.2m) and designed the Great Western Railway accordingly

Locomotive construction at Swindon
Various scenes depicting the construction of the Great Western Railway at the Swindon Works

Six Great Western Railway tickets
Six tickets issued by the Great Western Railway (GWR) in 1864 and 1865. Stations mentioned include Swindon, Wolverhampton, Oxford and London

The Great Westerns new giant, the Caerphilly Castle
The most power passenger engine in Great Britain in 1923, The Great Westerns New Giant, Caerphilly Castle. An engine designed by C. B Collett and constructed at Swindon

Great Western Rail 1850
Great Western Railway locomotive Lord of the Isles, built on the broad gauge favoured by Brunel, so unable to run on other lines

Swindon Works War Work, 26th June 1942
A female worker varnishing the inside of a 9.2" shell. This work was issued by the Ministry of Supply

Dinsdale / Lincoln F ball
Bert Denyer, winger for Swindon Town

Cheltenham Flyer 1935
The driver of the Cheltenham Flyer oils its wheels. It was one of the fastest trains of the day covering the 77 miles between Swindon and Paddington in 65 minutes

New Swindon
The settlement of New Swindon, built when the Great Western Railway came to what was then a small market town, to house the workers needed for the engine and maintenance works

X Shop, Points and Crossings Shop, c1950
This image shows the assembly of a crossing; a piece of track that enabled a train to switch lines. The men in the centre of the image are using tools to attach

Back ally of Faringdon Road cottages - present day
This row of cottages was built in 1846. The cottage in the foreground is No. 34 - now the Railway Village Museum

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Swindon, a town steeped in railway history and innovation. In 1930, the Swindon Shed proudly housed seven King Class Locomotives, showcasing the engineering prowess of the era. Among them was No 92220 Evening Star, an iconic steam locomotive that stood tall and powerful. Speaking of Evening Star, it was a sight to behold when in full steam. Its majestic presence captured the imagination of all who witnessed it chugging along the tracks with grace and power. A true symbol of Swindon's rich locomotive heritage. The roots of this heritage can be traced back to Swindon Works in 1908. It was here that remarkable creations like City of Truro were born - a magnificent 4-4-0 City class steam locomotive that left its mark on history in 1903. But Swindon's expertise didn't end with steam engines; they also excelled at building diesel locomotives. The likes of No D1053 Western Patriarch - a Western Class Diesel Hydraulic Locomotive - showcased their ability to adapt and innovate as technology advanced. Throughout the years, Swindon Works remained bustling with activity. The North Star graced its premises around c1925 while the AE Erecting Shop hummed with productivity since 1927. Men leaving through Rodbourne Road entrance in 1928 painted a picture of hard work and dedication etched into every corner of this industrial hub. Beyond railways, art found its place within Swindon too. The County Ground Art depicting Swindon Town added vibrancy to everyday life – capturing both local pride and artistic expression seamlessly intertwined. And let us not forget about Swindon Town Station circa 1960 – an important transportation hub connecting people from near and far, facilitating journeys filled with excitement or reunions brimming with joy. Swindon is more than just a town; it is a testament to human ingenuity, perseverance, and the power of progress.