Victorian Collection

Guernsey & Jersey via Weymouth poster, about 1891
In 1889 the GWR began operating a steamship service to the Channel Islands. This poster shows the GWRs TSS Ibex, leaving harbour at Guernsey on its route across the Channel

Eastgate Street, Chester, c1890s
This image comes from a Photochrom carriage print used by the Great Western Railway in the late 1800s

Swindon Mechanics Institute Pantomime poster, February 1860
This pantomime poster is an early example of the type of performances that took place at the GWRs Mechanics Institute in Swindon

The Rows, Chester, c1890s
This image comes from a Photochrom carriage print used by the Great Western Railway in the late 1800s. The Rows are continuous half-timbered galleries

GWR Prospectus Map from 1834
This document shows the proposed line from London to Bristol prior to the GWR receiving their Act of Parliament in 1835

New Swindon, 1847
Lithograph of New Swindon in 1847 with broad gauge locomotive, Fire Brand, in foreground. Swindon Works can be seen to the right on the image, with the Railway Village to the left

First Class Refreshment Rooms, Swindon Station, c. 1840s
This illustration shows a number of ladies and gentlemen in the First Class Refreshment Rooms at Swindon Junction Station, c.1840s

The River Thames at Whitchurch, near Pangbourne, c1890
A view taken across the Mill Pond from the toll bridge in Whitchurch on Thames. Red brick cottages sit on the waters edge, next to the old mill, just out of shot to the left

View of Swindon Works, c1860
This early photograph of the Works was taken from St Marks Church and shows R Shop (Machine Shop). Hundreds of wheels can be seen stored outside ready to be fitted to vehicles

Opening ceremony of the Plymouth to Yealmpton Line, January 1898
A view of the Opening Ceremony at Yealmpton Station on the Plymouth to Yealmpton Line, Devon in January 1898

B Shed in about 1900
A small group of men stand in a building known as B Shed. It was used for the maintenance of tank locomotives and tenders. B Shed stood next to what is now STEAM Museum of the GWR

Old Saw Mills, Newburn Crescent, c1870
Before No 1 Sawmills opened in the far west of the Works wood was cut at a mill on Newburn Crescent. The men in this image have been busy cutting length of timber

GWR Notice, 1888
A GWR public notice issued by General Manager Henry Lambert discouraging them to give fees to members of staff

Reading Room pre 1900

Swimmers from the GWR Medical Fund Society swimming baths (situated within the Works), c1880s

Ponsanooth Viaduct, c1920s
The Ponsanooth Viaduct, c1920s. A timber viaduct on the Falmouth Branch. Built in the early 1860s and replaced in 1930 this was a wonderful piece of engineering

Carriage Body Shop, c1880
This carriage body shop stood in what was to become the No 2 Shop Sawmill. The carriage body shop eventually moved next door. The wooden aspect of the coaches were assembled here

Birmingham Snow Hill Station, c. 1899
A general view of the original 1871 station structure at Birmingham Snow Hill, taken c.1899. The arched overall roof of the train shed and several locomotives can be seen in the image

No 12 Shop, Carpenters Shop, c1890s
Carpenters have downed tools and posing for the photographer in this early image of No.12 shop in the carriage works. A foreman can be seen on the steps of the office on the left of the image

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