Castle Gallery

GWR Publication, Through the Window, 1927

The GWR tourist guide, Through the Window, was first published in 1924. The guide was a travel companion for passengers on trains between London Paddington and Penzance, Birkenhead and Killarny. It provided comprehensive information on what could be viewed from the train window. This book, for between Paddington and Penzance, shows St Michael's Mount on the front cover

© STEAM - Museum of the GWR

Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire, 1935

A GWR Publicity view of the ruins at Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire in 1935. Kenilworth Castle was first established in the 1120s and over the centuries was built up and fortified by various kings, queens and nobles. In 1563 Elizabeth I gave the castle to Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester. He famously turned it into a palace where he entertained the queen in grand apartments

© STEAM Museum of the GWR

Locomotive 4096, Highclere Castle with its wartime black out screen, c.1940

A train speeding through the countryside at night was a prime target for the German Luftwaffe. The glow from the locomotive firebox and light from the carriages made a train all too visible to the enemy. One of the blackout measures introduced by the GWR was the anti-glare screen. This image of Castle Class locomotive, Highclere Castle, shows an anti-glare screen attached to the cab roof and tender. During daylight the screen could be rolled back and, should an air raid be called, it could be quickly pulled back over the cab. This screen only covered the roof of the cab, but some screens covered the sides too