Great Western Railway Swindon Works |
| Hob Uid: 222111 | |
Location :
Swindon
Central Swindon North
|
| Grid Ref : SU1420084900 |
| Summary : Railway works designed by Brunel to provide stabling, maintenance and repair facilities for locomotives. The works were built in 1841 and officially opened in 1843 comprising a three-sided courtyard open to the west. A period of expansion followed in 1845-47 when facilities for locomotive construction were provided involving the closure of the courtyard by construction of new machine, fitting and smiths' shops. A courtyard to the north housing smithies and steam hammers was also constructed. A second courtyard to the west of the original courtyard, housing additional smiths' shops was constructed in 1848. Further building included construction of rolling mills in 1860. A period of expansion and modernisation, co-ordinated by Joseph Armstrong and Daniel Gooch, took place from 1864 and included construction of the carriage works in 1868. By 1872 the works were responsible for the manufacture of engines, wagons and passenger coaches, repair and maintenance work. A new locomotive manufacturing factory was constructed in 1873 to the west of the works. This covered an area of 20,902 metres square and freed much of the original core of the works for repair work. The latter was also enlarged by the construction of B shop in 1874. Further expansion took place in 1878 when a new wagon works was constructed to the north of the railway station. A period of expansion focussing on locomotive manufacturing took place on land west of Rodbourne Road from the 1890s and throughout the early 20th century by George Churchward and his successor Charles Collet. The last major building took place in 1959. The carriage and wagon works were closed and the locomotive works were modernised in the 1960s. This lead to the demolition of redundant buildings including most of the northern ranges which were built in the 1840s. The works were closed in March 1986. Most of the historic core of the works has been listed Grade II* and II, much of the remaining site has been redeveloped. |
More information : (Centred SU 142849) Railway Works (NAT) (1)
Great Western Railway locomotive and carriage works at Swindon. The
first buildings, comprising two engine houses, an erecting shop and a foundry were in regular use by 1843. They were built by Daniel Gooch, largely of stone excavated from Box Tunnel.
(2).
With the opening of the Great Western Railway from London to Bristol in 1841, a central repair depot for locomotives and rolling stock was required. Daniel Gooch, then superintendant of locomotives, carriages and wagons reported in favour of the junction at Swindon. The directors of the Great Western Railway accepted his suggestion. On February 25th 1841 they authorised the construction of a depot and workshops at Swindon.
The workshops were built on the north side of the London to Bristol line, the first part of the works opening on January 2nd 1843. These original buildings, the engine shed, locomotive repair shed and erecting shop became know as `B' Shop. With the growth of the works and particularly the construction of `A' shop in 1902, `B' shop was reused for other functions. In 1954 the building was used for the building and repair of locomotive tenders and steam cranes.
With the closure and sale of the works by British Rail Engineering Ltd. in 1986-7, the majority of `B' shop was demolished. (3-4)
Detailed account of the history of the railway works from the 1840's until the present day. (5)
Recorded by NRIM. (6) |