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The birth of Swindon's great railway works will be marked with a series of special celebrations throughout the whole of next year.


For 2016 marks the 175th anniversary of the day on February 25 that the directors of the Great Western Railway company chose Swindon, or in particular, the flat land at the bottom of the hill half a mile from the town, as its location for its steam locomotive works..

Council chiefs and the town's STEAM Museum are set to mark the anniversary, with the centrepiece being the return of the Swindon works' most impressive locomotive King George V.

The flagship locomotive began life in June 1927 when she was designed by Charles B Collet and built as the first of GWR's new 4-6-0 'King' class engines, the most powerful ever produced at Swindon.

She was shipped off to the United States, but returned to go on show at the National Railway Museum in York.

The locomotive number 6000 will be transported from there back to Swindon.

She will return complete with the brass bell and medals she still carries from the time when she visited the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to mark its centenary.

The 175th anniversary commemorations will also seek to recognise properly the role Sir Daniel Gooch, Brunel's chief engineer.

Gooch was instrumental in choosing Swindon as the location for the railway and its works. While legend has it Brunel chose Swindon because it was where he threw a sandwich out of a train, in reality Gooch chose the spot a couple of miles north of Swindon.

He did so because it was close to the Wilts and Berks canal, which gave good access to the Somerset coalfields, offered enough land around to expand, and was in the spot where engines would need to be changed on the route from London to Bristol, with more powerful engines needed for the ascent up onto the Wiltshire Downs from Bath.

Back in 1841, the railway had already reached the Wootton Bassett Road in what is now West Swindon, with Box Tunnel under construction and the two railways - one from Bristol, the other from London - due to meet up within months.

Garry Perkins, the Swindon councillor responsible for STEAM, said the 175th anniversary was a great opportunity to look back, but also to look to the future.

"Gooch's letter to Brunel identifying Swindon as the best place to build the GWR Works planted the seeds for growth and acted as a springboard from which Swindon established itself as a progressive town built on innovation and vision," he said.

"The railway works gave Swindon an identity and proved to be a pivotal point in the town's history.

"I am therefore extremely pleased we will mark this significant period with a number of celebrations that everyone can enjoy.

"The return of King George V will be a particular highlight and it will be great to welcome home a part of Swindon's heritage," he added.

A limited edition commemorative pocket watch designed by Old Town jewellers Deacons and a special ale brewed by Arkell's are also being developed by the two founding businesses of Swindon to celebrate the anniversary.

Swindon Borough Council is also keen to hear from any organisations, community groups or local schools who would like to get involved in the celebrations.

Two flagship locomotives will make a timely return to Swindon as part of celebrations to mark the birth of the town^s railway works.

King George V and City of Truro are part of the world-class National Collection housed at the National Railway Museum, and will make the long journey by road on low loaders to Swindon from the York-based museum early next month.

The engines are on loan from the National Railway Museum, and will arrive between November 9 and 13 to take pride of place at STEAM in preparation for the town^s Swindon175 celebrations in 2016, which will honour Swindon's railway heritage.

In order to accommodate both locomotives, current loans Lode Star and the Diesel Railcar are returning to the National Railway Museum in exchange. STEAM will be closed from November 9 and will re-open on November 21.

On 25, February 1841, GWR directors authorised the establishment of the railway works in Swindon, after the town was identified by Daniel Gooch as being the ideal place for GWR's central repair works. Construction started immediately and a new Swindon was born.

Andrew McLean, head curator at the National Railway Museum, said: "The National Railway Museum is pleased to lend King George V and City of Truro to STEAM to mark the 175th anniversary of Swindon's historic railway works.

"These iconic engines are highlights of the extensive National Collection housed at the museum, and we look forward to seeing them assume starring roles in the upcoming celebrations of Swindon's landmark anniversary.

"In the meantime, I'm sure our visitors will be delighted at the opportunity to view Lode Star and the Diesel Railcar, which will be back on display amongst the other locomotive legends in our Great Hall in York having been on loan to STEAM."^

KGV was the first "King" Class built at Swindon Works in June 1927, and was shipped to the United States in August 1927 to feature in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's centenary celebrations.

Number 3440 City of Truro was designed by George Jackson Churchward and was built at the Swindon Works in 1903. She was the first British locomotive to travel in excess of 100 miles per hour (160.9 km/h) on 9 May 1904, and is one of world's first to do so.

Coun Garry Perkins (Con Haydon Wick), the cabinet member responsible for STEAM, said: "These two locomotives are symbols of Swindons heritage and a reminder of Swindons railway heyday.

"I am really chuffed the National Railway Museum has allowed us to exchange the locomotives and bring them home for our Swindon175 celebrations."

As well as the return of the two locomotives, Swindon175 will see a year-long programme of events next year throughout the town to commemorate the 175th anniversary. Details will appear soon on www.swindon175.com and at www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk

The diesel railmotor has left today. Lode Star was still there earlier but is due to leave tonight apparently.
I have been told that City of Truro and King George V are due to arrive tomorrow.