Chippenham to Swindon Visit

Chippenham to Swindon plus Swindon Works visits
Please note that coverage of the various visits to Swindon Works and 'Steam' at Swindon is rather 'piece meal' and you'll have to patiently scroll through.

From Chippenham to Swindon

Chippenham

770717d Chippenham a view of the remains of the goods yard and platforms from a Bristol bound train on the 17th July 1977. Chippenham College of Further Education on the left. Copyright Roger Winnen

Christian Malford Halt Closed passengers 4th January 1965 Closed Approx four miles from Chippenham.

Dauntsey Closed 4th January 1965 From Wikipedia The station site is a mile and a half south of Dauntsey village and is near Dauntsey Lock which suggests that the station was important to the Wilts and Berks canal. Dauntsey was a small station with three platforms, The station had a main building with a canopy on the up platform (towards London) with a bay serving the Malmesbury branch. and the platform on the opposite side had a small brick shelter, also with a canopy.
Dauntsey station became the junction for the branch line to Malmesbury in 1877. The up platform was extended west of the road bridge with a bay platform to accommodate trains on the branch line. When the GWR built the South Wales line in 1903 it passed a few miles north of Dauntsey. In 1933 the connection between the Malmesbury branch and the main line was moved to Little Somerford on the newer main line, and the redundant section between Dauntsey and Somerford became a siding. The canopy used for the branch line platform was moved to Yatton station where it can still be seen today.
Most of Dauntsey station was demolished in 1977 although the station house and the up platform remain. It was also used by RAF personnel from nearby RAF Lyneham, KJ getting off here once in about 1955.

Wootton Bassett Closed 4th January 1965

Wootton Bassett D1036 Western Emperor was called to assist as an unidentified Class 47 rolled to a halt at Wootton Bassett. An undated picture. Copyright Terry Bradley

Some more information kindly researched by Guy Vincent :-
7E36 0250 Severn Tunnel Junction - Temple Mills. 7V45 1022 Temple Mills - Severn Tunnel Junction as far as Swindon. 1C61 1300 Paddington - Swansea from Swindon to Cardiff piloting failed class 47. 0V45 Light Diesel Cardiff to Swindon where it returned to 7V45, working this to Severn Tunnel Junction. See: westernlocomotiveresearchsociety.com for just about anything you may wish to know about 'Westerns'.

This date coincides with the Whitsun school half-term holiday and so accounts for the family group watching proceedings at the lineside!

Regards. Guy Vincent Many thanks Guy

Guy Vincent writes :- Here are some modern images for Martin Baker to compare against his father, Terry's, stunning shot of D1036 assisting an ailing Brush 4 in what I guess was probably the early summer of 1976. D1036 was withdrawn on 29th October of that year with final disposal at Swindon Works recorded as 24th February 1977. The first of four more recent views dates from August 2014 and looks towards Swindon with the up goods loop to the left and the modernised signal (SN145) and milepost 83 visible. The area formerly occupied by the station building is used as a dumping ground by Network Rail, on the opposite side of the line is the Hill's Aggregates terminal which receives stone from Merehead quarry 3-4 times a week. Of course electrification has radically altered even this view with three later pictures from February and April 2018 showing the masts in place and awaiting full wiring-up, also the electricity supply sub-station and a line of new houses beyond the loop close to the station site (I hope they like fast electric trains 24/7!) Finally a view looking west (or down) towards the actual junction. For almost 40 years there have been numerous calls and campaigns to reopen the station here (as at Corsham) but, as can be seen, no progress has been made so one can only conclude there is no real will on the part of the authorities to actually do anything..

Guy Vincent

Wootton Bassett Up Goods Loop & Signal SN145 August 2014. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Wootton Bassett February 2018 Copyright Guy Vincent.

Wootton Bassett February 2018. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Wootton Bassett (Down) April 2018 Copyright Guy Vincent.

Wootton Bassett Station and Junction.
The station closed 4th January 1965. The line to the right is to Swindon - the lines to the left are upper left to Bristol Parkway and Wales. Lower left to Chippenham, Bath and Bristol. The map courtesy National Museum of Scotland 25" OS Map. Non commerecial use.

The south wales line sweeps away to the north at Wotton Bassett Junction on the 29th October 1977. From a Chippenham bound train. . Copyright Roger Winnen

It's the 10th August 1987 - thought I’d start at Wootton Bassett.
At the time when visits to such sites were normally available following a polite request.
In the days when two trains normally ran per day from Merehead.
Loaded trains had to run to Swindon to run round to enter the yard from the east.
59004 slowly draws the train through the discharge facility.

59004 at Wootton Bassett stone terminal 10th August 1987. Copyright Ron Kosys.

59004 moves the train on slowly past the discharge point. at Wootton Bassett stone terminal 10th August 1987. Copyright Ron Kosys.

Four pictures taken while Neil Phillips was serving at nearby R.A.F. Lyneham.

D1051 'Western Ambassador' in the Wootton Bassett stone terminal sidings on 19th March 1976. The loco was withdrawn on 2nd September that year after an underside ballast strike at Cogload Junction while heading the previous day’s 1B15 08.30 Paddington – Plymouth wrecked wiring and AWS equipment – unfortunate as D1051 had not long emerged from an ‘F’ Exam and had been expected to last until the end.
D1022 'Western Sentinel' approaches Wootton Bassett Junction on 16th January 1977 with 1B33 14.30 Paddington – Penzance (evidently via Bristol). By this time she was one of the last seven Westerns in service but upon its return to London (on the 17th/18th overnight 6A21 St Erth – Acton milk service) D1022 ran over some debris at Old Oak Common dropped by 31420 which had just suffered a collision incident and this damaged the Western’s brake gear, resulting in its withdrawal. Therefore my photo captures D1022’s last-ever outward run from the capital.
Deltic 55003 'Meld' presents an extraordinary sight at Wootton Bassett Junction at the head of the Paddington - Cardiff ‘Deltic Debut’ special on 12th October 1975. The Class 55 had been borrowed from the ER for high-speed dipped rail joint tests ahead of the HST introduction the following year and the ever-inventive WR railtour office decided to take it for a spin to South Wales and back!
Deltic 55003 'Meld' approaches Wootton Bassett Junction on the returning ‘Deltic Debut’ tour of 12th October 1975. Since the WR was still using operational headcodes at the time this was surely the first time a ‘Domino’ panel was seen on the Region.

Picture (1) D1051 Western Ambassador Wootton Bassett stone terminal. 19th March 1976. Copyright Neil Phillips.

Picture (2) D1022 Western Sentinel Wootton Bassett Jc (2) 16th January 1976. Copyright Neil Phillips.

Picture (3) 55003 Meld (Down) Wootton Bassett Jc 12th October 1975, Copyright Neil Phillips.

Picture (4) 55003 Meld returns seen here on the Up line Nr Wootton Bassett Jc (2) 12th October 1975. Copyright Neil Phillips.

Many thanks Neil.

An interesting link for Wotton Bassett click here :- http://www.royalwoottonbassett.gov.uk/wp-content/themes/totw/files/assets/downloads/page0011.pdf

From the Rail Approach to Swindon
Rail enthusiasts approaching from the Bristol or Cardiff directions always looked to the left on the approach to Swindon Station where, for many years the scrap yard has aroused great though sad interest.

Early scrap - the first Blue Pullman

The 'Blue Pullman’ at Swindon on presumably the scrap line – from passing train – 75 mph, 18th November 1973. Copyright Trevor Tremethick

810814a Class 25s awaiting cutting at Swindon Works on 14th August 1981

850820aa A warship diesel hydraulic Class 40s 25s and 31s awaiting scrapping at Swindon Works. Copyright Roger Winnen

810814c Possibly D818 Glory awaiting cutting at Swindon. Copyright Roger Winnen

810814d Class 40s for cutting at Swindon Works. Copyright Roger Winnen

850202m Various engines lined up at Swindon Works awaiting the cutters torch.. Copyright Roger Winnen

Doomed class 52's Westerns sit on the scrap line.31st March 1979 Copyright Roger Winnen

Shorn of name and number plates it really was 'THE END'. 31st March 1979

We remember D1028 Western Hussar, D1057, Western Chieftain, D1064 Western Regent, D1025 Western Guardsman, and D1012 Western Firebrand. Copyright John Cornelius

Some of the westerns still have their Nameplates. 31st March 1979. Copyright Roger Winnen.

Another shot running in. 31st March 1979. Copyright Roger Winnen

'Repair'. Copyright John Cornelius

'Scrap'. Pathfinder meets its fate at Swindon. Copyright John Cornelius. Pathfinder went to traffic on the 12th February 1962. It was withdrawn in October 1976.

The end of a Monarch! Copyright John Cornelius

Just outside the works.

USED 7th July 2017

Hastings Units under refurbishment at Swindon. on 31st March 1979 Copyright Roger Winnen

Ex Works 3 Car Suburban unit for the Paddington services. 29th October 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

790331h Preserved diesels around the turntable. Copyright Roger Winnen

To take a look at a run past Swindon works, and up to Swindon Town many many years ago click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt9uW3k_tEU

Swindon Station

The west end of Swindon Station as on 29th October 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

A more recent study of the original station buildings at Swindon. Taken on 25th March 2008 Copyright Roger Winnen N.B Great Western short lived liveries at Swindon, an Adelante in Platform 2.

The new platform at Swindon as seen on the 25th March 2003 Copyright Roger Winnen

Close by the station. Built by the Great Western, The Glue Pot Public House. 31st March 1979 Copyright Roger Winnen

Close by the old Museum

St Marks Church at Swindon built by Great Western Railway Company for its workers. Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott . 29th October 1977. Copyright Roger Winnen

The south front of the Mechanics Institute rebuilt and extended in 1892. Copyright Roger Winnen

The original Railway Museum at Swindon
Model lodging house, 1849-1852 for GWR, converted to family hostel 1861, and to Weslyan Chapel 1869, then in 1960 converted to a museum and opened on the 22nd June 1962. It was closed in 2000 on the opening of the Steam Museum on the old GWR Swindon Works site.

The grand Farringdon Road frontage of the original Swindon Museum. This picture dated 29th October 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

A marvelous display in the museum though one of the problems was getting a good position for a photograph.

2516 at the original Swindon Museum 29th September 1963 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

4003. Lode Star At the original Swindon Chapel Museum. 29.9.63 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

The inside of the museum on the 22nd October 1977. Copyright Roger Winnen

9400 Designed by the last GWR Mechanical Engineer resides in the museum. 29th October 2015 Copyright Roger Winnen

Lode Star and City of Truro stand side by side at the museum. 29th October 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen.

GWR Ticket Machines. Copyright Roger Winnen

Exhibits with a Cornish Connection - bottom left and top right. 29th October 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

Outside the museum stands - the Railway Village
In 1966 Swindon Borough Council purchased many of the properties in the Village from British Railways and began to renovete them. It was decided to turn one of the cottages into a 'Living Museum' to show what life was like in the Railway Village in 1900. After much public consultation about how the cottages would have looked, No. 34 Farringdon Road opened for visitors in March 1980. Exhibits were collected specially for the purpose by Swindon Museum Service.

The railway village. 29th October 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

Looking down an alleyway at the railway village. 29th October 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

The railway village. 29th October 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

The water tower. 29th October 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

Swindon Works Collection
The following are a collection of pictures taken at Swindon between 1963 and

6868 Penrhos Grange Swindon Works 29th September 1963 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

7902 Eaton Mascot Hall - This loco was built in March 1949 and scrapped in June 1964 This picture 29th September 1963 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

8102 82C 29th September 1963 Copyright Sid SponheimerClass 8100 Designed by Collett a 2-6-2 Tank Built 30th June 1938 at Swindon 1948 Shed 87H Neyland Last Shed 85A Worcester Scrapped at Swindon Disposal Date 31st August 1964

5971 Merevale Hall. Class Code, 4900. Picture 29th September 1963 Copyright Sid Sponheimer . Built April 1937. First shed allocation Weymouth. August 1950 shed allocation Westbury. March 1959 and May 1965 shed allocations Worcester. Last shed allocation Oxford. Withdrawn December 1965. Scrapped at Cashmore's, Newport.

This very sad picture of 6000 King George V at Swindon on the 29th September 1963 is captioned 'Stolen Bell' Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Also on works looking very smart after overhall is 6165 seen on 29th September 1963 Copyright Sid Sponheimer Class 6100 Designer Collett Collet 2-6-2T Built at Swindon works 31st October 1935 Withdrawn 31st December 1965 Cut up at Cashmores 30th April 1966

In contrast here is 4079.Pendennis Castle on the scrap lines at Swindon on the 29th September 1963 Copyright Sid Sponheimer 4079 Pendennis Castle was repatriated from Australia in 2005 having spent 23 years of ownership under Hammersly Iron's parent company Rio Tinto Group. Following restoration since 2005 it is anticipated that the locomotive will return to steam within the next 2 or 3 years.

W4W railcar seen at Swindon 29th September 1963 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Ready to be broken up is W21W 29th September 1963 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

D1016 entered traffic on the 16th February 1963. It served almost twelve years being withdrawn in December 1975. It was cut for scrap at Swindon in August 1977. Copyright John Cornelius

The 1980 Swindon visit.
On the 29th March 1980 the Cornwall Railway Society organised a trip to Swindon works, we had reserved seats on service trains our party numbering over 100. Our route was on board a Penzance - Bristol service and then catching a London train to get from Bristol to Swindon. Our return journey took us via an unusual route. Swindon to Bath, Bath to Taunton and Taunton to Penzance.

The Late John Fill
Many of you will remember John Fill, who while he lived at St Ives was a regular attender at our Redruth meetings and was joined by his wife Mary on several outdoor events. A loss occurred to the CRS when John and Mary moved away to Upwey to be near their family. Recently in the spring of 2015, after a short illness John passed away. John was renowned in the photographic world taking many pictures in black and white and we are most grateful to Mary for giving us a considerable amount of material both as prints and negatives. Those he took on our Swindon visit follow.

Mary and John Fill. Picture taken at Norton Fitzwarren where John amongst his many talents played the church organ on a visit. Copyright John Fill

Maurice Blair, our irish member fancies one of the brand new oil lamps at Swindon, on his left is Robbie Robinson from Carbis Bay a great friend of John Fill. 29th March 1980 Copyright the late John Fill

31154 in the process of an engine transplant at Swindon Works. 29th March 1980 Copyright The late John Fill

The CRS group wanders around the workshop. 29th March 1980. Copyright The late John Fill

Members inspect a crankshaft and marvel at the precision workmanship. In the background second right is Rick Palmer a founder member of the society. 29th March 1980. Copyright The late John Fill

The traverser inside the works. 29th March 1980 Copyright The late John Fill

The elderly and much respected gentleman on the left is the late Jim Eldridge. Jim was a railwayman through and through, a driver of the A4's, including 'Mallard' , we remember him and his guard friend Ossy Dally.The younger man examining his camera is no less than Roger Winnen. 29th March 1980

A big attraction at the end of our visit to Swindon Works were the two diesels grouped around the turntable. The warship carrying our headboard sadly did not survive. 29th March 1980 Copyright the late John Fill

The question is - can you see yourself? A happy and very satisfied group stand around the turntable. 29th March 1980 Copyright the late John Fill

D821 Greyhound + D8xx and D7029 together with the CRS Party at Swindon. on the 29th March 1980. Maybe John Fill is amongst the assembled gathering. Copyright Roger Winnen

The original intention had been to fit in a visit to the Swindon and Cricklade Railway, unfortunately as this railway was in its infancy, we felt that it was not ready for a group tour. Instead we fitted in a visit to the old railway museum as the last item on our busy days schedule.

The site at Blunsden for the preservation railway. Copyright Roger Winnen This is a photograph taken by Roger on a exploratory visit a month before our planned visit to the Cricklade Railway. There was activity but not a lot to see! 23rd February 1980

Our visit to the Old Museum at Swindon where our late Chairman, Gordon Dobbs smiles for the camera. Captured by the late John Fill 29th March 1980.

Back now into the works - other photographs

08087 and 08258 undergoing repairs. 29th March 1980 Copyright Roger Winnen.

The erecting shop at Swindon 29th March 1980. Copyright Roger Winnen

800329n Class 31 under repairs at the works. 29th March 1980 Copyright Roger Winnen

Southern Region Third Rail Electric stock being refurbished. 29th March 1980 Copyright Roger Winnen

A Cardiff Cross Country Unit C600 on the jacks. 29th March 1980 Copyright Roger Winnen

800329s A Swindon Built Cross Country Unit allocated to the Scottish Region receiving attention. 29th March 1980 Copyright Roger Winnen

A Broad and standard gauge turntable, or turnplate - used for turning wagons. 29th March 1980 Copyright Roger Winnen

Mick House
Visits Swindon Works
Late 70's

Swindon Works visit. By Mick House.
First off, I must apologise for the quality of the photos, I did not have the technology then that I have now. Back in the seventies I was involved with a project involving preservation and restoration of all forms of rolling stock at the former Pullman car works in Brighton. One of the projects I was participating in was to preserve a 08 shunter, 08471 to be exact (photo 1); this involved a trip to Swindon works to see it and a tour of the site, at the time of the visit there was a large quantity of 08s to be seen on site and a lot of them were being scraped. The highlight of the tour was the vast part of the works that was (A) Shop and some of the side shops attached to it. The main erecting shop with its many Traversers (photos 2 & 3), one of its many overhead cranes (photo 4), side shops (photos 5 & 6), also not forgetting the machinery therein, multi head oxy-acetylene cutter (photos 7), vertical milling machine (photo 8) and small traversing crane for lifting smaller components (photo 9). The work being carried out at the time of my visit was quite varied from Shunters, DMUs, P Way cranes, Wagons to Mainline locos. Class 03 170 was about to be reunited with its gearbox and transmission (photo 10), some DMUs receiving attention (photo 11) and a Peak standing next to a Class 31 with its cab missing, possibly a head-on collision or maybe just rotten bodywork! (photo 12). Hope you have enjoyed my short trip around Swindon works.
These pictures were taken in the late 70’s

Picture (1) Copyright Mick House

Picture (2) Copyright Mick House

Picture (3) Copyright Mick House.

Picture (4) Copyright Mick House.

Picture (5) Copyright Mick House.

Picture (6) Copyright Mick House.

Picture (7) Copyright Mick House.

Picture (8) Copyright Mick House)

Picture (9) Copyright Mick House

Picture (10) Copyright Mick House

Picture (11) Copyright Mick House.

Picture (12) Copyright Mick House.

Many thanks to Mick House for these pictures of an official visit to Swindon Works in the late 70's.

Paul Barlow
Visits Swindon Works
6th June 1981

25166 being stripped at Swindon works 6 June 1981. Copyright Paul Barlow.

31019 'Toffee apple' awaits its fate at Swindon works 6 June 1981 (taken from passing train) Copyright Paul Barlow.

40071, 40038, 25273 on the scrap lines at Swindon works. 6th June 1981

40100 being stripped at Swindon works 6th June 1981. Copyright Paul Barlow

45032 stored - withdrawn December 1980 awaiting scrapping at Swindon works 6th June 1981. Copyright Paul Barlow.

46007 (ex Laira allocated) stored servicable at Swindon. Placed into storage in October 1980 reinstated to Gateshead on 4 December 1980. Copyright Paul Barlow

46022, 46054, & 46001 in storage at Swindon works 6th June 1981 Copyright Paul Barlow.

Peaks 45038 45021 45032 45008 46020 all scrapped at Swindon 46050 (far end) was reinstated to traffic and ran for 11 months before meeting its fate. 6th June 1981. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul - a good but sad day.

Guy Vincent
Visits Steam at Swindon.
This was on the occasion the HST Power Car 43002 spent three days here en-route from Laira to York

HST Power Car 43002 stands at Swindon Works 17th July 2019. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Swindon 17th July 2019. Copyright Guy Vincent

17th July 2019. Copyright Guy Vincent.

17th July 2019. Copyright Guy Vincent,

Swindon 17th July 2019. Copyright Guy Vincent.

43002 Swindon - Mrs. Vincent looks on 17th July 2019 Copyright Guy Vincent

Swindon HST Nameplates 17th July 2019. Copyright Guy Vincent

GWR 7821 'Ditcheat Manor' 17th July 2019 Copyright Guy Vincent

7821 'Ditcheat Manor' Nameplate 17th July 2019 Copyright Guy Vincent.

Outside Steam Museum - with restored GWR 6 plank 10 tin mineral wagon .17th July 2019 Copyright Guy Vincent.

The 'Avon Explorer'

The Cornwall Railway Society had a good relationship with British Rail and through the our contacts with them and in particular the Late Mr. Reg James, Travel Centre Manager at Penzance we were able to organise several trips. At first these were B.R. Merrymakers (What wonderful trains they were) where coaches of trains were reserved for Merrymakers use and road coaches organised for later in the days to take us to places of interest. The CRS started to sell tickets for these trains and the progression from this was that Reg was asking us where we would like B.R.'s trains to go. Permission was granted for us to fit the CRS headboard on these trains. Trips were organised to the Bluebell Railway, and the Isle of Wight - we made a substantial profit on these trains. Further progression from this was that Reg suggested that we should charter a complete train ourselves, in fact should our charter fail B.R. would take it over and cover our losses. The first of these charters was the 'Avon Explorer' this ran from Penzance to Bristol and thence to Avonmouth and Filton Junction, heading for Dr Days Junction and Bath. We offered a day in Bath as one of the options. From Bath we travelled on to Swindon for the works - sadly at that time the complete closure of the works was announced.

Its the Saturday 12th May 1984 and the 'Avon Explorer' awaits departure from Swindon for our journey home. The locomotive was 50 035 'Ark Royal' - this still exists today in preservation. Copyright Roger Winnen

Now for a collection of photographs taken around the works on the occasion of this visit.

We had virtually 'free range' to explore the works during our visit, here are a few. David Brown is the gentleman with a hat. 12th may 1984 Copyright Roger Winnen

The party spread far and wide. Picture by Peter Butt. 12th May 1984

A London based unit up on jacks for a bogie change. 12th May 1984. Copyright Peter Butt.

Two class 37's receiving serious attention. 12th May 1984 Copyright Roger Winnen

D8710 receiving a repaint. 12th May 1984. Copyright Roger Winnen

A class 52 'Western' bogie outside the works. 12th May 1984 Copyright Roger Winnen

Wheels,a plenty. Swindon Works 12th May 1984 Copyright Peter Butt.

The traverser outside the works. 12th May 1984 Copyright Peter Butt

Inside the weighbridge. 12th May 1984 Copyright Roger Winnen

46002 plus two other members of the class meet their fate. 12th May 1984 Copyright Roger Winnen

There was little left of this class 25. 12th May 1984. Copyright Roger winnen

At least ten 08's await the cutters torch. 12th May 1984. Copyright Roger Winnen

The scrap yard was at the west end of the works, somewhat happier sights at the east end!

D1015 'Western Champion' is still with us, though unfortunately D808 'Centaur' didn't survive. 12th May 2015 Copyright Roger Winnen

Refurbished Kent Coast Electric units. 12th May 1984 Copyright Roger Winnen

STEAM GWR The new Museum

The entrance to The GWR STEAM MUSEUM . 25th March 2008 Copyright Roger Winnen

4930 Hagley Hall sits amongst the feasting crowds in the Swindon Shopping Centre, part of the old works. 25th March 2008 Copyright Roger Winnen

4073.Caerphilly Castle looking grand at STEAM SWINDON. 30th June 1990 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

6000 King George V at S windon. Next to Heritage display 30th June 1990 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

The bell securely on number 6000 at Swindon on the 30th June 1990 Copyright Sid Sponheimer N.B. On Sids' photograph taken almost 27 years earlier he remarked - 'No Bell', well it's back and looking fine now.

6024 King Edward 1st looking fine as it stands on the traverser at Swindon 30th June 1990 Copyright Sid Sponheimer.

One of the original workshops still in use, as seen on 30th June 2001 . Copyright Roger Winnen

Two types of horse at Swindon. Both the mechanical horse and the animal version could achieve remarkable road width turns.! 30th June 2001 Copyright Roger Winnen

Thankfully 'Steam' is still open - so why not visit it?

Brakevan - the last of the train!!! (Of pictures)

GWR Steam at
Swindon Museum
Roger Winnen

If you have a couple of hours free when visiting Swindon, a visit to this museum is well worth it. Turning right outside Swindon Station and walking for just over 10 minutes will take you to the entrance, its also signposted!

180429a The replica North Star at the GWR Steam Museum. Copyright Roger Winnen

180429b The pride of the Great Western Railway 6000 King George V. Copyright Roger Winnen

180429bb A side on view of the 6000 King George V. Copyright Roger Winnen

180429c 9400 The first of a class of 210 engines contructed between 1947-1956. Copyright Roger Winnen

180429d 4073 Caerphilly Castle built in 1923. Displaying the banner 'Worlds Fastest Train the Cheltenham Flyer'. Copyright Roger Winnen

180429e 3717 City of Truro bult in 1903 reported to have achieved 102.3 mph running down Wellington Bank in May 1904 - Copyright Roger Winnen

Guy Vincent
Visits Steam at Swindon

Outside Steam Museum - with restored GWR 6 plank 10 ton mineral wagon .17th July 2019 Copyright Guy Vincent.

'STEAM' 4248 seen at Barry in 1981. Photo by Phil Smith

4248 STEAM Swindon 8th August 2019 Copyright Guy Vincent

Swindon GWR 4248 Number plate STEAM Swindon 8th August 2019. Copyright Guy Vincent

GWR Swindon STEAM 'Patrick & Percy the Porters'. 8th August 2019. Copyright Guy Vincent

Swindon Town
Closed Passengers 11 September 1961 Goods 1st November 1966

From Wikipedia Swindon Town was originally planned under an Act of 1873 for a different site to the east of the eventual station, with a tunnel to be built under the hill on which the Old Town sits. But money ran out and the line was realigned to run south of the hill. The Swindon, Marlborough and Andover Railway opened between Swindon Town and Marlborough on 27 July 1881; in early 1882, the line was extended northwards from Swindon Town to a junction with the Great Western main line at Rushley Platt, and services were started between the two Swindon stations. Rushey Platt became a junction the following year with the opening of the Swindon and Cheltenham Extension Railway as far as Cirencester Watermoor. The SM&AR and the S&CER combined to form the M&SWJR in 1884. Services between the two Swindon stations ceased in 1885 because of the high charges the GWR imposed on M & SW Jct Railway trains. Finally, the northern section of the M&SWJR was extended in 1891 from Cirencester to a junction with the GWR Banbury and Cheltenham direct railway line at Andoversford station, so that through services could be run from the north to Southampton and the south coast.
Swindon Town was seen as the most important station on the line, and housed the M&SWJR's offices. There was a loop line, a locomotive turntable and a loco shed at the site. The loop line platform was used for the shuttle services to Swindon's GWR station when these were reinstated following the takeover of the M&SWJR by the GWR at the grouping in 1923.
Swindon Town station was heavily used in early years, but increasingly suffered from the concentration of traffic at the main GWR station as the focus of the town shifted away from the Old Town area to the newer parts that developed around the GWR station and the railway works there. Passenger and goods traffic on the M&SWJR fell very steeply after the second World War and the line closed to passengers in 1961, with goods facilities being withdrawn in March 1964, though a private siding remained for some years after that. (N.B. Looking at a current Google Earth picture nothing remains)

Highly recommended - Utube Journey from Swindon Junction to Swindon Town - last train. Click below https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt9uW3k_tEU

A view of all that remained of Swindon Town station on the 23rd February 1980 With grateful thanks to a member of the Swindon & Cricklade Railway giving me a guided tour after the visit to Blunsden. Copyright Roger Winnen. Trains would have headed off the right of this picture towards Marlborough an, below us, under the bridge towards the north.

The bridge from which the previous photograph was taken. 23rd February 1980. Copyright Roger Winnen

A view across the yard, the overbridge is off the picture to the left. The M.S.W.J.R. Headquarters in the centre of the picture.. 23rd February 1980. Copyright Roger Winnen.

The M.S.W.J.R Headquarters at Swindon Old Town station on 23rd February 1980 Copyright Roger Winnen

And finally the modern image at Swindon. Brand new 800010 800012 pause with the 1B28 1145 Paddington to Swansea on the 17th November 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent. How long before the HST's will be a memory and even these head for the scrapyards!!!! Copyright Roger Winnen.

Swindon Panel
- an article and photographs taken on a visit on the 30th November 2022.
John Roberts

Subject: CRS Swindon Panel

Keith, on Wednesday 30th November 2022 I joined an IRSE (Institution of Railway Signal Engineers) visit to Didcot where the Railway Centre has built a small signalling museum which includes an exhibit by the Swindon Panel Society.

During resignalling mania in the 1960s, most of the contractors were busy with West Coast Electrification, so the Western Region signal works at Reading designed its own Turn & Push NX (Entrance-Exit) Panels based on the Swiss Integra system. They used the Domino mimic panels manufactured by Henry Williams and were installed at Old Oak Common, Slough, Reading, Swindon, Gloucester, Bristol, Newport, Cardiff and Port Talbot. Birmingham and Plymouth were the precursors to all of these, designed in the 1950s. In the 1970s BR imposed standardisation and Oxford was a later addition with a Push-Push Panel, while Westbury and Exeter were provided by Westinghouse. This substantially completed the conversion of the WR from Absolute Block to TCB (Track-Circuit Block) with MAS (Multiple-Aspect Signalling), and resulted in the closure of about 90% of some 2000 GWR mechanical signalboxes which were extant at nationalisation.

Swindon opened in 1968 and was staffed by two signalmen operating the station area, and Wootton Bassett and Thingley Junctions, whereas the rest of the area from Uffington to Badminton could be set to automatic. In the 1980s bidirectional working was installed, and the WR mechanical train describers were replaced by LEDs, and later by VDUs. The system was not immunised against electrification so was replaced by the Thames Valley Signalling Centre aka Didcot ROC (Rail Operating Centre) in 2016.

Network Rail sold the panel for a pound, and the Society has set up a computer simulator so that the panel can be operated in real time. Ironically, they've also sold sessions back to NR to train professional signalmen. The current panel layout predates the new Down Platform at Swindon, so it's easy to lock up the route waiting for a Down HST to stop at the Up Platform, a Down Freight crossing Wootton Bassett, or an Up Westbury crossing Thingley. Great fun - maybe an idea for a CRS visit?

It was great to catch up with everyone at the November meeting and good to see the Society bouncing back from the Covid closures. Season's greetings, John.

Swindon Panel Box - opened 1968 Picture copyright John Roberts

Swindon panel - taken during IRSE visit 30th November 2022. Copyright John Roberts.

Many thanks to you John for your detailed article and photographs.

The Swindon & Cricklade Railway

The Swindon & Cricklade Railway Preservation Society was formed by a group of enthusiasts in November 1978 to reconstruct and preserve a section of the Midland & South Western Junction Railway that ran from Andover, Hampshire, to Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
The volunteer-operated railway has reopened three stations: Hayes Knoll, Taw Valley Halt and Blunsdon, the headquarters of the line. Hayes Knoll features a restored signalbox that is operational during special events and a running/restoration shed. The length of the restored line is a little under 2.5 miles (4.0 km).
The line extends north to South Meadow Lane (a few hundred yards from the site of a proposed Farfield Lane halt) near Cricklade, and south to Taw Valley Halt on the outskirts of Swindon, near Mouldon Hill Country Park. A southern terminus, Mouldon Park, is proposed within the park. The foregoing courtesy Wikipedia.
For much more information please click here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swindon_and_Cricklade_Railway

Swindon & Cricklade Railway ( Blunsdon station) Ken Mumford

Swindon & Cricklade Railway one Christmas. Polish loco. Copyright Ken Mumford

Time for water. Salmon at the Swindon and Cricklade Railway. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Swindon & Cricklade Railway at Blunsden . The loco 'Salmon'. 13th April 2009

For the history of this locomotive please see https://preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com/hudswell-clarke-works-no-1544-slough-estates-no-3-0-6-0st/

The Swindon and Cricklade Railway at haye Knoll. Copyright Ken Mumford

Friends,
On my home from Purton todat the 24th October 2020 I called in at the Blunsdon depot of the above railway. They are open today and tomorrow - hopefully today with diesel trains, tomorrow with steam.
My photos show 35011 named 'Great Steam Navigation'. In green [0531] is its boiler whilst the frame [0533 and 0538] was in quite a difficult position to photograph.. The plan is to complete this loco in its ORIGINAL condition as a 'Spam Can' i.e. as it was built around the time of the end of World War 2. It's a fascinating story of what they have to do.
Kind regards,
Ken Mumford - Swindon Camera Club member.

This loco was/is actually named 'General Steam Navigation' after the shipping company of the same name which used to operate vessels from Three Quays in Lower Thames Street in the City of London and which subsequently as taken over by P&O.

Many congratulations on an excellent website which I view with great interest daily.

Keep up the good work.

Phil Nall Many thanks to Phil for this additional information.

Blunsdon 35011 Great Steam Navigation under restoration 24th October, Copyright Ken Mumford

35011 Great Steam Navigation under restoration 24th October, Copyright Ken Mumford

New arrival at the Swindon and Cricklade Railway
19th November 2021

Swindon & Cricklade New arrival being shunted into position 19th November 2021

Operational. Originally built by Hunslet as Austerity-type 0-6-0ST saddle tank 3781 of 1952, later named Linda on the Kent & East Sussex Railway. Converted to a side-tank locomotive in order to create a lookalike LB&SCR E2 class No. 1 "Thomas"No. 1 "Thomas" (works number 3781 of 1952) in 1994. The loco is commonly referred to as "Dave" when not carrying the Thomas identity.[1]
Information from the Watercress Railway stock list.
All the best
Roger

Early Christmas at
Blunsdon
Ken Mumford

Blunsdon - Swindon and Cricklade - early Christmas display. 19th November 2021. Copyright Ken Mumford..

Ken Mumford visits the
Swindon and Cricklade Railway - March 2022

[1] 6695 undergoing overhaul - see the 6695 website for mroe details
[2] 35011 undergoing restoration to a MN original unrebuilt condition!
[3] Interesting brake van
[4] Ex-Suthern Region dmu. Next to it is an enginering track machine - can send photo if you wish..
[5 ]Blunsden station 'furniture.
[6] General view of the yard at Blunsden.

Many thanks to Ken Mumford for the above collection.

Ken Mumford visits the
Swindon and Cricklade Railway. Late June 2022.

Ballast for the extension to Cricklade. Copyright Ken Mumford.