Swindon Works Gallery

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

© STEAM Museum of the GWR

1930s, 4 6 0, Engine Sheds, Factory, King, Kings, Locomotives, Swindon, Swindon Works

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

USA S160 2-8-0 locomotive No. 1606 coupled to an ambulance train, 1942

Once the USA joined the war following the bombing of Pearl Harbour in December 1941 the GWR became involved in the provision of rolling stock for use by the American Army. As preparations for D Day progressed, the US requested that 10 ambulance trains be provided for the conveyance of American casualties. This image shows the official handing over of the first of these trains in a ceremony held at Swindon Works on the 24th March 1943. The 14 coach train was aptly hauled by USA S160 2-8-0 locomotive No. 1606 and comprised of six ward cars, kitchen cars, a pharmacy and operating theatre, and carriages for staff. The handover was performed by GWR Chief Mechanical Engineer F.W Hawksworth, stood to the right of the group of uniformed American Officers, and the occasion was considered noteworthy enough for the attendance of a newsreel camera which can just be seen to the far right of this photograph