Page 22 - link magazine

Swindon Wide
22

Apprentice to assistant to superintendent of Swindon
Railway historian Steve Wakefi eld’s story of the GWR highlights William Dean,
another in a long line of engineers who made Swindon great
Dean was a very capable man when, aged 28, Joseph
Armstrong, superintendent of Swindon’s locomotive and
carriage and wagon works ap- with building new
pointed him as his chief assistant. standard gauge roll-
Dean, born in 1840 in London, ing stock as broad
was educated at Haberdashers gauge was being
Company School where he excelled phased out, even-
at maths. He had been apprenticed tually succeeding
to Joseph Armstrong who gave him Armstrong on his
every encouragement to do well. death in 1877.
With this help and support Dean Shortly after the
won many prizes for engineering, death of Sir Daniel
science and maths. Gooch, Dean fi nally The last broad gauge train journey in 1892
He arrived at Swindon to assist ripped up the last Photo: STEAM Museum Library
of the broad gauge and Swindon of their best. He formed the fi rst St
Tailor-made John Reeves works found itself inundated with John Ambulance Brigade Division
broad gauge locos. Some were in the works and was president of
by SueLynn Sewknit Services scrapped, others were converted to Swindon’s Mechanics’ Institute. He
standard gauge or had parts reused also served as a territorial offi cer in
Curtains Service & Repairs to: in other locomotives. the Wiltshire Regiment (Volunteers).
Dean worked on many experi-
The legacy of broad gauge lasted
Pelmets Sewing Machines, for 25 years of Dean’s working life; mental projects during his life, be-
Roman blinds Knitting Machines, no doubt it contributed to the ill ing one of the fi rst engineers to
Swags & tails Overlockers & Ironing Presses health he suffered towards the end undertake a study into metallurgic
reactions of materials used in loco
of his days in Swindon.
Cushion covers Free Collection & Delivery Dean was a professional in every construction. His papers were some
Fitting service available Telephone: sense of the word with a likable of the fi rst in this fi eld becoming the
No job too small 01453 758276 modesty. He never sought the lime- ‘benchmarks’ for many years after.
He retired in 1902 and died in
light, praising his younger engineers
For further information call Mobile: and letting them bask in the credit. 1905 at Folkestone.
Sue: 01793 870451 or 07792 471389 However if needed, Dean would • Pathe fi lm archive featuring
be sharp with anyone who did not scenes inside Swindon railway
Lynn: on 01793 330595 [email protected] show commitment to the task or give works. See page 46.

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