Swindon's Railway Village Gallery

Family boarding a train in the carriage sidings at Swindon, for the annual Works trip, 1932

Swindon Works closed down for two weeks every year, and the workers and their families went on a holiday known as the Trip. Complimentary trains ferried families to their destinations. In order to reduce any disruption to normal services, these trains were boarded from inside the Works or further down the line

© STEAM Picture Library 2018 - All Rights Reserved

Mechanics Institute, 1933

This view of the Mechanics Institute shows the entrance to The Playhouse Theatre. The fly tower for the theatre can be seen in the centre of the building. This was built when a fire destroyed the old stage in December 1930.
The Institute provided a library, theatre and games rooms for GWR employees and their families. It was built in 1854 and stood in the heart of the Railway Village

© STEAM Picture Library 2007 - All Rights Reserved

Medical Fund Hospital, c1910

The Medical Fund Hospital was established in 1871. The central part of the building was originally the XI Wiltshire Volunteer Rifle Corps armoury. This contained the operating theatre and ward. The extension on both sides housed the nurse's quarter, a dispensary (until 1892) and consulting rooms

© STEAM Picture Library 2007 - All Rights Reserved

Hospital, Swindon, Village