Page 22 - link magazine

Swindon Wide
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Railway Tales at West library

The personal stories and memories of GWR workers will be told through a free talk and
photographic exhibition at West Swindon Library in September.
Former railway workers Dave Ellis and He also remembers the demanding physi-
John Walter will be speaking on Thursday 4 cal work done by those in the erecting shops.
September, 6pm to 8pm. The Railway Tales “They used to say there were more double
event will be attended by railway enthusiast hernias under that roof than any work place
Mayor Steve Wakefi eld who will launch a two in the world. Nowadays they would have hy-
week exhibition by the unoffi cial Swindon draulic lifts. Those lads had a tough job.”
Works photographer Roy Nash. Spring making was another trade where
There was an astonishing range of skilled diffi cult conditions were endured. Men had
trades within the GWR, allowing it to be to pull hot metal rods up to 12 feet long from
almost self-suffi cient. Roy has selected 80 a furnace and immediately couple them to
photographs from his vast archive to represent a machine.
as many trades as possible. Roy’s photographs provide a unique win-
“There were some dirty rotten jobs,” he dow into life ‘inside,’ which he joined on an
recalls. “There were guys who had to walk the engineering apprenticeship before moving on
subways that housed all the works’ services. to work in the design and drawing offi ce.
They just had a small light to go down and More of Roy’s pictures can be seen at:
carry out maintenance.” www.swindonlink.com
Five images by Roy Nash to be exhibited at West Swindon Library. Top, preparing an engine
nameplate pattern in wood. Centre, creating the mould before fi ring. Below, revealing the nameplate
ready to be polished and mounted on the diesel named after the future Princess of Wales
Right, every-
thing done
by slide rule
and not a
computer in
sight. Crane
e n g i n e e r
Jim Scott,
now retired
and living in
Lydiard Mil-
licent

Evening Star

Returns

September Worcester Road (G1) layout, courtesy of British Railway Modelling. Photo: T ony Wright

2008

The legendary loco, Evening Star returns to Swindon. Come and see her at the Swindon Railway Festival!
Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September 2008,

10.00 am to 5.00 pm

STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway, Kemble Drive, Swindon

It’s a great day out for all the family. Amazing attractions include pop phenomenon,
Pete Waterman, massive Hornby and Bachmann roadshows, trade stands galore and
some of the biggest and best model railway layouts in the country.
See our website to find out more at www.swindon.gov.uk/steam

STEAM

Swindon Railway Festival 2008
Museum of the Gr eat Western Railway is supported by British Railway
Modelling magazine

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