Swindon Railway Works was a repair and maintenance facility for the Great Western Railway (GWR) in Swindon, England. It was the main maintenance center for west England from 1843 until it closed in 1986 and featured in Train Sim World.
What was it used for?
- Designing, constructing, and repairing locomotives
- Building waggons and carriages
- Maintaining the GWR’s railway
When was it built and when did it close?
- Construction began in 1841 and was completed in 1843
- It closed in 1986
Who was involved in its design and construction?
- Isambard Kingdom Brunel: The GWR’s chief engineer
- Daniel Gooch: Brunel’s head designer
What was it like?
- The works covered over 300 acres at its peak in the 1930s
- It was located at a central point on the line, at the junction of the Cheltenham branch
- The works were built using stone from quarries in old Swindon
What can you learn about Swindon Railway Works at the STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway?
- The museum has an exhibition on the history of the Swindon Works
- It has a display on how the GWR built coaches
- It has a display on the industrial side of the railway, including the building of locomotives
- It has Locomotive number 4073 Caerphilly Castle, which was one of the first GWR locomotives to reach 100mph – Exordium Gaming Chicago
Swindon Works Headquarters
Wiltshire, England
