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STEAM - Museum Of The Great Western Railway

A Great Western locomotive at work in Devon

In 1835 Bristol became concerned that a new railway between Liverpool and Manchester would give Liverpool an advantage over its southern rival. Wanting to build a railway of its own to London, Bristol's civic leaders put out tenders for a contract to build the new line. A young engineer named Isambard Kingdom Brunel was living in Bristol. He'd moved there to recuperate following an injury during the building of his father's ground breaking Thames Tunnel at Rotherhithe. After keeping himself amused designing the Clifton Bridge, young Brunel was intrigued by the idea of building a Bristol to London railway line. He immediately surveyed a potential route, and so impressed Bristol's authorities with his energy that they gave him the job of building their railway. Work started in 1835, and was completed in stages by June 1841. The bridge over the Thames at Maidenhead, the Box Tunnel, and the first purpose built railway station, Bristol Temple Meads, remain as memorials to Brunel and his men's work. Much of Paddington Station, the London terminus of the GWR, dates back to Brunel's 1854 design. The railway was subsequently extended into south Wales and Cornwall, with bridges at Chepstow, and famously at Saltash.

STEAM Museum in Swindon explores the building and operation of the Great Western, and Brunel's life. There are video presentations, hands-on exhibits, locomotives and Great Western memorabilia of all kinds. The idea is to give visitors a sense of life as experienced by a Swindon railway worker. Swindon was a vital headquarters for the Great Western, which constituted a huge operation. The rail historian T.R. Gourvish describes Britain's early railways as the "first large scale enterprise," in a country which previously had been run by family firms and partnerships (see Railways and the British Economy 1830 - 1914 P57). The scale of a railway operation was entirely different and new. Whole towns, such as Crewe were built to house railway workers. Swindon itself was a quiet market town in 1830, but grew significantly after Brunel decided to build his locomotive works there. STEAM gives a good sense of what went into running a uniquely large scale operation.

In contrast to all this work, STEAM is also interesting in the way it explores the new increase in leisure time enjoyed by working people. The holiday as we understand it today came into being in the nineteenth century. A huge new holiday market, mostly centred around the seaside, was served by the railway. A reconstructed seaside pier and working vintage amusement machines are used to bring this aspect of railway and social history to life.

Address: STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway, Kemble Drive, Swindon, SN2 2TA

Opening Times: Open daily 10am - 5pm, last admission 4.30pm

Access: Level access is good to all areas, and there is free admission for carers or helpers. Motorised scooters, wheelers and adapted toilet facilities are provided. There is a personal guided scheme for unaccompanied disabled visitors - booking required. Use contact details below. There is an induction loop at the ticket desk, easy to read signage, large print information and subtitled video. A lot of thought has gone into access at STEAM.

Directions: By road follow brown tourist signs for the Outlet Centre, Great Western Heritage Area, or the "M" sign. If you travel to Swindon by rail on First Great Western, you will receive 20% off the entry price. You will have to buy your train and entry ticket at the same time via the First Great Western web site. STEAM is a ten to fifteen minute walk from Swindon station. Click here for an interactive map centred on STEAM.

Contact:

telephone: 01793 466 646

fax: 01793 466615

web site: http://www.steam-museum.org.uk/steam.htm

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