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Editor's Picks

Enjoy this carefully curated collection from our editors

Background imageEditor's Picks: No D1000 Western Enterprise - Western Class Diesel Hydraulic Locomotive

No D1000 Western Enterprise - Western Class Diesel Hydraulic Locomotive
Class 52 locomotive built by BREL Swindon

Background imageEditor's Picks: No 5051 Drysllwyn Castle outside Swindon Works

No 5051 Drysllwyn Castle outside Swindon Works
4-6-0 Castle class locomotive. Built 1936

Background imageEditor's Picks: Castle Rock at Lynton, North Devon, 1934

Castle Rock at Lynton, North Devon, 1934
A view of Castle Rock at the Valley of Rocks near Lynton in North Devon. This photograph was taken in September 1934 to encourage tourism on Exmoor

Background imageEditor's Picks: The building of 24 Shop (Stage 7 - completion)

The building of 24 Shop (Stage 7 - completion)
This image was taken in 1929 and shows 24 Shop at Swindon Works newly built. 24 Shop was part of the Carriage and Wagon Works and was for paint and body repairs

Background imageEditor's Picks: Swindon Works Map c.1940

Swindon Works Map c.1940
Map of Swindon Works showing the offices, workshops and tracks around the site. The inset box depicts the comparison between the site in 1846 and the site in the 1940s

Background imageEditor's Picks: The Cheltenham Flyer book, 1934

The Cheltenham Flyer book, 1934
The Cheltenham Flyer book aimed at the male railway enthusiast, published in 1934

Background imageEditor's Picks: Highbridge Station, Somerset, 1928

Highbridge Station, Somerset, 1928
A view of Highbridge station in Somerset, taken in 1928. The milk churns in this photograph are empty, having just been dropped off by a departed train

Background imageEditor's Picks: Wishford Station, c. 1920s

Wishford Station, c. 1920s
A view of Wishford Station near Salisbury in Wiltshire, c.1920s, showing the second platform that was built in 1901 when the line doubled

Background imageEditor's Picks: Two little girls awaiting evacuation from Paddington Station, September 1939

Two little girls awaiting evacuation from Paddington Station, September 1939
Part of the evacuation of London during WW2

Background imageEditor's Picks: County Class locomotive, no. 1017, County of Hereford, 1948

County Class locomotive, no. 1017, County of Hereford, 1948
Seen here at Cardiff Canton. Built 1946

Background imageEditor's Picks: Broadway Goods Yard Under Construction, c. 1904

Broadway Goods Yard Under Construction, c. 1904
A view of Broadway Goods Yard in Worcestershire taken in c.1904 whilst it was under construction, showing building materials stacked up alongside the tracks

Background imageEditor's Picks: No 3440 City of Truro at Westbourne Terrace, London

No 3440 City of Truro at Westbourne Terrace, London
4-4-0 City class locomotive. Built 1903

Background imageEditor's Picks: Men leaving Swindon Works, Rodbourne Road entrance, c. 1910

Men leaving Swindon Works, Rodbourne Road entrance, c. 1910
Men leaving Swindon Works, Rodbourne Road entrance, c.1910

Background imageEditor's Picks: Abbotsbury Station, Dorset, c. 1900

Abbotsbury Station, Dorset, c. 1900
A view of Abbotsbury Station in Dorset, c.1900, showing groups of passengers on the platform and a small locomotive with carriage at the station. Abbotsbury station opened in 1885 and closed in 1952

Background imageEditor's Picks: Box Station, 1885

Box Station, 1885
A view of Box station in 1885, showing a standard gauge locomotive stood on mixed gauge track. The West portal of Middle Hill Tunnel can be seen in the distance

Background imageEditor's Picks: No 4073 Caerphilly Castle

No 4073 Caerphilly Castle
4-6-0 Castle class locomotive. Built 1923. This photograph taken at Paddington Station shows the handing over of the locomotive to the Science Museum at South Kensington in 1961

Background imageEditor's Picks: Close up view of broad gauge train at Chepstow Station, c.1850

Close up view of broad gauge train at Chepstow Station, c.1850
Shows broad gauge locomotive " Vulcan", built in 1837 by Charles Tayleur & Co. Taken from a lithograph

Background imageEditor's Picks: GWR Refreshment Department Platform Trolley, May 1937

GWR Refreshment Department Platform Trolley, May 1937
A GWR Refreshment Department platform trolley at Paddington station in London, May 1937. A woman is viewing the refreshments available from the trolley

Background imageEditor's Picks: Swindon Works Trip, 1931

Swindon Works Trip, 1931
GWR families from Swindon wait in line to board the trains for Trip week. Destinations included Weymouth, Weston Super Mare and Cornwall

Background imageEditor's Picks: Moreton-in-Marsh Station, Gloucestershire, c.1910

Moreton-in-Marsh Station, Gloucestershire, c.1910
A view of Moreton-in-Marsh Station in Gloucestershire, c.1910, showing the station buildings and platforms. The station opened on the Cotswold Line in June 1853

Background imageEditor's Picks: Guernsey & Jersey via Weymouth poster, about 1891

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

Background imageEditor's Picks: No. 6000, King George V

No. 6000, King George V
4-6-0 King Class locomotive, built 1927. Now in preservation

Background imageEditor's Picks: Plymouth Tinside Lido, c.1935

Plymouth Tinside Lido, c.1935
Crowds are gathered on the steps of the Lido to take part in swimming, bathing and diving. The Lido opened in 1935 and was built to a classic art deco style

Background imageEditor's Picks: Barry Island Beach, Wales, 1920s

Barry Island Beach, Wales, 1920s
View of Barry Island beach and Whitmore Bay, Glamorgan, south Wales in summer 1920s. Holidaymakers are enjoying the sunshine while having fun on the beach and lying in deckchairs

Background imageEditor's Picks: Bigbury-on-Sea from Burgh Island, Devon, September 1935

Bigbury-on-Sea from Burgh Island, Devon, September 1935
A GWR publicity view of Bigbury-on-Sea on the southern coast of Devon, taken from Burgh Island in September 1935. The image shows the art-deco style Burgh Island Hotel and a number of houses

Background imageEditor's Picks: Inkermann, c1880s

Inkermann, c1880s
4-2-2, Rover class locomotive, Built 1878 and withdrawn 1892

Background imageEditor's Picks: Men leaving Swindon Works, Rodbourne Road entrance, 1928

Men leaving Swindon Works, Rodbourne Road entrance, 1928
Hoards of men leaving Swindon Works, Rodbourne Road entrance, 1928. The pattern shop is in the background and an omnibus with Arkells advertising on it

Background imageEditor's Picks: No 4062 Malmesbury Abbey

No 4062 Malmesbury Abbey
4-6-0 Star Class Locomotive. Built May 1922

Background imageEditor's Picks: Nailsea and Backwell Station, Somerset, c.1900

Nailsea and Backwell Station, Somerset, c.1900
A view of Nailsea and Backwell Station in Somerset, c.1900, showing one of the signal boxes and a locomotive pulling into the station

Background imageEditor's Picks: GWR Docks Brentford, c1930

GWR Docks Brentford, c1930

Background imageEditor's Picks: The Queen's Visit to Abingdon, 2nd November 1956

The Queen's Visit to Abingdon, 2nd November 1956
This photograph shows H.M. The Queen on her visit to Abingdon in Oxfordshire on 2nd November 1956. The mayor is leading her majesty out of the station where several military personnel are lined up

Background imageEditor's Picks: Locomotive No. 5993, Kirby Hall. With Driver Simms and Fireman Evans

Locomotive No. 5993, Kirby Hall. With Driver Simms and Fireman Evans
4-6-0, Hall class locomotive

Background imageEditor's Picks: LMS coach no.6204 converted to an ambulance train car, 1939

LMS coach no.6204 converted to an ambulance train car, 1939
This official photograph of an ambulance train car was taken on behalf of the Swindon Works Drawing Office in October 1939

Background imageEditor's Picks: Bristol & Exeter Railway Broad Gauge Locomotive

Bristol & Exeter Railway Broad Gauge Locomotive
Built 1853-54

Background imageEditor's Picks: Didcot, Oxfordshire, 11th May 1896

Didcot, Oxfordshire, 11th May 1896
The down Flying Dutchman approaching Didcot in Oxfordshire, hauled by No. 3019, Rover, on 11th May 1896. Didcot signal box can be seen on the left of the image

Background imageEditor's Picks: No D1053 Western Patriarch - Western Class Diesel Hydraulic Locomotive

No D1053 Western Patriarch - Western Class Diesel Hydraulic Locomotive
Class 52 locomotive seen here outside Swindon Works

Background imageEditor's Picks: Design drawing for the King Class locomotive, 1927

Design drawing for the King Class locomotive, 1927

Background imageEditor's Picks: Bulkeley

Bulkeley
4-2-2 broad gauge locomotive built 1865. Rover class

Background imageEditor's Picks: Swindon Mechanics Institute Pantomime poster, February 1860

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

Background imageEditor's Picks: Quick Lunch and Snack Bar at Paddington Station, 1936

Quick Lunch and Snack Bar at Paddington Station, 1936
An interior view of Paddington station showing a busy snack bar, which probably opened soon after the modernisation of the station in the 1930s

Background imageEditor's Picks: BR 8P Class Locomotive No 71000, Duke of Gloucester

BR 8P Class Locomotive No 71000, Duke of Gloucester
Seen here with the Red Dragon headboard

Background imageEditor's Picks: GWR Pannier Tank No. 1367

GWR Pannier Tank No. 1367
This 0-6-0 Pannier Tank was built at Swindon Works in 1934. It was part of the 1366 class of pannier tank locomotives. It was originally stationed at Swindon Shed and then Weymouth

Background imageEditor's Picks: No 6027, King Richard I, 1937

No 6027, King Richard I, 1937
4-6-0 King Class locomotive on the down Riviera, Reading West

Background imageEditor's Picks: GWR Coat of Arms

GWR Coat of Arms
The Great Western Railway Coat of Arms, also known as the Garter Crest. A garter can be seen surrounding the original coat of arms which contained the city shields for London (left)

Background imageEditor's Picks: Severn Bridge Station, Gloucestershire, c.1910

Severn Bridge Station, Gloucestershire, c.1910
This view from the western bank of the Severn shows the full length of the Severn Railway Bridge as it extends over to Sharpness, c.1910

Background imageEditor's Picks: Royal Saloon No.233, 1909

Royal Saloon No.233, 1909
An plush interior view of Royal saloon number 233 (later 9002). This carriage was originally built for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897

Background imageEditor's Picks: The Seafront at Sidmouth, Devon, August 1931

The Seafront at Sidmouth, Devon, August 1931
A GWR publicity view of the seafront at Sidmouth in South Devon, taken in August 1931. This image shows the many groynes going out to sea and holidaymakers on the shingle beach enjoying themselves

Background imageEditor's Picks: King George V hauling an express train

King George V hauling an express train

Background imageEditor's Picks: No 92220 Evening Star

No 92220 Evening Star
2-10-0 9F class locomotive, built 1960. Evening Star was the last mainline British Railways steam locomotive to be built in Britain at Swindon Works. Withdrawn 1965

Background imageEditor's Picks: Modified Hall class, 4-6-0, No. 7903 Foremarke Hall at Bath Spa, 1960s

Modified Hall class, 4-6-0, No. 7903 Foremarke Hall at Bath Spa, 1960s

Background imageEditor's Picks: British Railways network map 1950s

British Railways network map 1950s
A map showing the rail lines across the British Railway network during the 1950s

Background imageEditor's Picks: Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee train, 1897

Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee train, 1897
A view of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee train hauled by the locomotive, The Queen. The engine carried two large crests and a crown at the front

Background imageEditor's Picks: Buffet Car from the 1930s

Buffet Car from the 1930s

Background imageEditor's Picks: The River Wye at Kerne Bridge, Herefordshire

The River Wye at Kerne Bridge, Herefordshire
A GWR Publicity view of Kerne Bridge and the River Wye in Herefordshire, c.1930. The bridge was built in 1828 and is now Grade II listed

Background imageEditor's Picks: No 92220 Evening Star

No 92220 Evening Star
2-10-0 9F class locomotive, built 1960. Evening Star was the last mainline British Railways steam locomotive to be built in Britain at Swindon Works.

Withdrawn 1965

Background imageEditor's Picks: 7 King Class Locomotives at Swindon Shed, c1930s

7 King Class Locomotives at Swindon Shed, c1930s
From l-r: No 6005 King George II, No 6008 King James II, No 6017 King Edward IV, No 6020 King Henry IV, No 6022 King Edward III, No 6023 King Edward II, No 6024 King Edward I

Background imageEditor's Picks: Manor class, 4-6-0, No. 7820 Dinmore Manor at Shrewsbury, 1964

Manor class, 4-6-0, No. 7820 Dinmore Manor at Shrewsbury, 1964

Background imageEditor's Picks: Bristol Temple Meads station alterations, 1934

Bristol Temple Meads station alterations, 1934
Views of the cellars beneath the broad gauge platforms.

Background imageEditor's Picks: Mogul locomotive No. 8314 with bomb damage in 1941

Mogul locomotive No. 8314 with bomb damage in 1941
A 4300 Mogul locomotive, No. 8314, lies amongst the debris following an air raid in Weymouth on 17th January 1941. Star Class locomotive, Princess Charlotte

Background imageEditor's Picks: Bodinnick, Cornwall, c.1935

Bodinnick, Cornwall, c.1935
View of Bodinnick, Cornwall, c.1935. Two ladies wearing straw hats and a dog are walking down Hall Terrace towards The Old Ferry Inn and the Bodinnick Ferry landing

Background imageEditor's Picks: The last broad gauge train leaving Paddington Station, 29th May 1892

The last broad gauge train leaving Paddington Station, 29th May 1892
The service is the 5pm to Plymouth, and the locomotive is Bulkley.

Background imageEditor's Picks: GWR Network Map, c1920s

GWR Network Map, c1920s

Background imageEditor's Picks: Chester, Eastgate Street, c1890s

Chester, Eastgate Street, c1890s
Photochrom carriage print used by the Great Western Railway in the late 1800s

Background imageEditor's Picks: Pannier tank, no.7766, stuck in the snow, c.1930s

Pannier tank, no.7766, stuck in the snow, c.1930s
0-6-0 pannier tank built 1931

Background imageEditor's Picks: Locomotive No.9303 at Barry Scrapyard, c1980

Locomotive No.9303 at Barry Scrapyard, c1980
With the rise of diesel and the gradual demise of steam, many steam locomotives were sent for scrap. The most famous scrapyard was at Barry.

Background imageEditor's Picks: Brent Station, c1950s

Brent Station, c1950s
Opened on the South Devon Railway in 1848. Closed 1964.

Background imageEditor's Picks: Holiday Haunts guide book, 1947

Holiday Haunts guide book, 1947
A 1947 edition of the popular Holiday Haunts guide books published by the GWR

Background imageEditor's Picks: Swindon Works Map, c.1940s

Swindon Works Map, c.1940s

Background imageEditor's Picks: Mechanics Institute Reading Room, Swindon, pre 1900

Mechanics Institute Reading Room, Swindon, pre 1900
This image shows the rows of newspapers available for people to read as well as numerous desks.

Background imageEditor's Picks: Earl of Clancarty No 5058 with Dinmore Manor No 7820 at Aller Junction September 1958

Earl of Clancarty No 5058 with Dinmore Manor No 7820 at Aller Junction September 1958

Background imageEditor's Picks: Trouble House Halt, c1960

Trouble House Halt, c1960
Situated on the Tetbury branch line, it opened in 1959 to serve the infamous Trouble House pub. It was the only station in England to be built to serve a public house. The halt closed in 1964.

Background imageEditor's Picks: 7 King Class Locomotives at Swindon Shed, 1930

7 King Class Locomotives at Swindon Shed, 1930
From l-r: No 6005 King George II, No 6008 King James II, No 6017 King Edward IV, No 6020 King Henry IV, No 6022 King Edward III, No 6023 King Edward II, No 6024 King Edward I

Background imageEditor's Picks: Hall Class locomotive No. 5944, Ickenham Hall

Hall Class locomotive No. 5944, Ickenham Hall
4-6-0 locomotive built March 1935. Seen here with unlined livery

Background imageEditor's Picks: Railway Queen Mabel Kitson on King George V at Swindon, 1928

Railway Queen Mabel Kitson on King George V at Swindon, 1928
Railway Queen Mabel Kitson, photographed on the running board of GWR locomotive King George V, at Swindon Works in 1928

Background imageEditor's Picks: Third Class sleeper compartment, c.1940s

Third Class sleeper compartment, c.1940s
Attendant serving tea in bed. Carriage built to diagram J12 in 1931.

Background imageEditor's Picks: Swindon Works, 1908

Swindon Works, 1908
View of Swindon Works looking towards the turntable and A Erecting Shop

Background imageEditor's Picks: Bather, August 1931

Bather, August 1931
GWR publicity shot

Background imageEditor's Picks: GWR Park - Children's Fete, c1910

GWR Park - Children's Fete, c1910
The GWR Fete was an annual event taht took place in the GWR Park on Faringdon Road.

Background imageEditor's Picks: Slough Station, c1920s

Slough Station, c1920s
An impressive view of the elegant station. A GWR Omnibus can be seem waiting to take departing passengers to various destinations.

Background imageEditor's Picks: No 9 Carriage Trimming Shop, c1930s

No 9 Carriage Trimming Shop, c1930s
Female staff weaving luggage racks

Background imageEditor's Picks: Publicity shot of passengers in carriage, 1930s

Publicity shot of passengers in carriage, 1930s

Background imageEditor's Picks: Bristol bound locomotive approaching Reading Station, c1950s

Bristol bound locomotive approaching Reading Station, c1950s

Background imageEditor's Picks: St Ives Station, c1950s

St Ives Station, c1950s

Background imageEditor's Picks: Reading Signal Works - Clock Shop, 1969

Reading Signal Works - Clock Shop, 1969



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