GWR Road Vehicles Gallery

GWR lorry delivering paintings from the National Gallery to a slate mine in Wales in 1940

This photograph of a GWR lorry was taken around 1940. It shows the in delivery of historic and valuable paintings from the National Gallery in London to the disused Manod slate mine at Blaenau Ffestiniog, Wales. In the 10 days following the declaration of war on 3rd September 1939 the National Gallery, with the help of the GWR road cartage department, removed the majority of their paintings to safer locations in Wales. The GWR was praised by Gallery officers for their "wonderful work" and the "great care" with which the artworks were handled. In the next few months it was decided to store all the paintings in one location and the Manod slate mine was the perfect choice. The GWR assisted in the relocation which was completed by the summer of 1941

Swindon Works Fire Brigade, 1916

This is a really impressive image of the Swindon Works Fire Brigade, taken in 1916. The smartly uniformed firemen are sat upon the Dennis Fire Engine which was purchased by the GWR in 1912. Being towed behind is an earlier oil fired steam fire engine. Being such a large industrial site Swindon Works had its own dedicated fire brigade in order to react quickly to any emergencies