Staff Gallery

George Jackson Churchward (1857 - 1933)

George Jackson Churchward, pictured here in 1918, was the GWR's Chief Mechanical Engineer between 1902 and 1921. He oversaw the Swindon Works modernisation and introduced the 4-6-0 locomotives, the blueprint for some the GWR's most iconic express engines. He died in Swindon in 1933 after being struck by a train as he was crossing the railway tracks between his home and the Works

© STEAM Museum of the GWR

Women porters working in the left luggage office at Paddington station, during WWII

The Left Luggage Department at Paddington Station was, during the war, manned by female staff as can be seen in this image taken in 1943. Such roles were regarded by the GWR as ideal for women, allowing male workers to transfer to heavier manual roles within the company. Restrictions were placed on passenger luggage from the early days of the war in an attempt to discourage travel for pleasure, but as the quantity of luggage in this photograph shows, this campaign was not completely successful. Note that the lady on the right is in the process of storing a soldier's tin helmet on the shelves behind her

© STEAM Museum of the GWR

GWR station staff member in a gas mask, c.1939

During an air raid the threat of poison gas bombs being dropped by the German Luftwaffe was extremely high. Mustard gas was the most deadly gas available and could take up to 12 hours to take effect. 38 million gas masks were distributed in Britain to protect against any ill effects should gas bombs be dropped. After an air raid GWR staff would continue their normal duties, but in some instances would continue to wear their gas masks. This image shows a porter at Paddington Station wearing his mask. It must have been difficult to carry out normal tasks with limited visibility and restricted movement