Swindon Works Gallery

A man and woman carrying out work on a steam hammer during WW2, 1942

A man and woman carrying out work on a steam hammer during WW2 in the GWR Swindon Works, 1942. The man is wearing a blacksmith's apron and holding a glowing casting in place while the woman operates the lever for the hammer

1940s, 1942, Machinery, Steam Hammer, Swindon, Swindon Works, War, Woman, World War 2, World War Ii, Ww 2, Ww Ii, Wwii

Women war workers making ammunition shells in 24F Shop, 1943.

Women war workers making ammunition shells in 24F Shop, 1943.
These women have been tasked with the pressing on of copper bands and insertion of base plates for 25-pounder quick firing, high explosive, streamline shells. They are using a specialist Aldous- Campbell Ltd high pressure machine which fits both copper band and base plate securely in position. The lady to the right of the machine is holding a shell in position and a notice board (just out of shot) states that two presses, one of eight seconds and another of five seconds, are required in the machine to seal the shell

Swindon Works Map, c.1940s

Swindon Works Map, c.1940s, showing the growth of the GWR Works in Swindon between 1846 and the 1940s. The sheer volume of workshops and sidings can be seen in fascinating detail

1800s, 1840s, 1846, 1900s, 1940s, Factory, Map, Plan, Railway, Sidings, Swindon Works, Vintage, Wiltshire, Workshops