Swindon's Railway Heritage: How the GWR Built a Town

The Great Western Railway and the London–Bristol line

The Great Western Railway was created to link Bristol with London. Isambard Kingdom Brunel was its chief engineer, responsible for the bold "broad gauge" track and the ambitious route. The London to Bristol line opened on 30 June 1841. Brunel had recruited Daniel Gooch in 1837 to oversee the railway's locomotives, and together they identified the need for a central maintenance facility – a place where engines could be serviced and eventually built, midway along the route.

Why Swindon? The strategic choice

Sir Daniel Gooch recommended Swindon in February 1841 for clear operational reasons. Swindon sat at the junction with the Cheltenham and Great Western Union Railway (the Golden Valley line), making it a natural hub. It was roughly midway between London and Bristol, so engines working in either direction could be serviced there.

The story that Gooch and Brunel sealed the deal over a ham sandwich at Swindon Junction – finding the refreshment stop so poor that they resolved to build proper facilities – has become part of local folklore. Whatever the exact circumstances, the GWR directors approved the site on 25 February 1841, and construction began immediately.

Building the works: 1841–1846

The 300-acre site took shape quickly. The works officially opened on 2 January 1843, employing around 180 workers. The first locomotive completed entirely at Swindon – The Great Western – was built in 1846, beginning a tradition of locomotive construction that lasted nearly 150 years. The site expanded steadily, eventually covering more than 325 acres and including erecting shops, boiler works, wheel foundries, and a vast array of specialised buildings.

Peak years: a railway town

At its peak in the early 20th century, over 14,000 people worked at Swindon Works. The town's identity was inseparable from the railway. Workers lived in Brunel's Railway Village, used the Mechanics' Institution's library and baths, and sent their children to GWR schools.

Iconic locomotives such as the Castle and King classes were built and maintained at Swindon. During the World Wars, the works produced munitions and specialised military equipment. After nationalisation in 1948, it continued as part of British Rail until closure in 1986.

Legacy and the STEAM Museum

The closure of the works in March 1986 was a defining moment for Swindon. But the heritage remains. The STEAM Museum, housed in part of the original works buildings, tells the story of the GWR and the people who built it. The Designer Outlet occupies another section of the site. The Railway Village, Mechanics' Institution, and surrounding streets form the Swindon Heritage Action Zone – one of England's best-preserved railway complexes. Swindon's identity as a railway town endures, even as the town has diversified into new industries.