Page 24 - link magazine

Swindon Wide

Swindon Works! It has for 175 years

For those who have not yet clocked- anniversary since the last few Steam Museum, first proposed a
on, this year is significant for the hundred workers clocked off for the celebration for Swindon last year,
town. last time in March 1986, after the he said: “175 years is more than negativity there is about Swindon.
It marks 175 years since the long slow post war decline of the just history and heritage. It’s about This is an opportunity for everybody
decision was made by the Great railway works, as investment was projects and initiatives that will get to participate in what makes
Western Railway Company to build moved elsewhere. the people of Swindon involved in Swindon great.”
a locomotive maintenance depot Everybody who lives here now some way to ask the question: why 175 events will be taking place
on green fields below the nearby owes a considerable debt to all are you here? throughout the year. See details at:
market town on the hill. It grew those who made Swindon in the “Let’s shake off whatever www.swindon175.com
into a sprawling industrial complex past. But it’s not just about the
employing thousands, producing railways which underpin the success • A couple of hundred people stood in the pouring rain outside Steam
railway rolling stock and everything of the town. As the motto of the Museum on 26 March to witness the sound of the Swindon Hooter blowing
required to fit them out, but also Swindon Society states: ‘History again. The original sounded for the last time 30 years previously but
military equipment in two world starts yesterday.’ Colin Hatch of Hatch Engineering recreated two from original plans and
wars, as a well as marine engines Swindon 175 is also about the powered them using a traditional steam traction engine. Pictured below,
and hovercraft. future of the town. When Ian Pride of Swindon winner Phoebe Maddison was invited by event organisers,
This year is also the thirtieth Surtees, development manager at Swindon Heritage, to take a turn releasing the steam on the day.

26 March 1986, some of the workers leaving the railway works for the
last time. Photo: Richard Wintle www.calyxpix.com

24 swindonlink.com n May 2016