Iconic Locos’ Homecoming Starts Swindon175 celebrations

Two of the greatest locomotives to be built in Swindon “King George V” and “City of Truro” were unveiled on November 18 to mark the start of a year-long programme of events celebrating the town and its heritage.

Next year marks an important anniversary for Swindon as it celebrates the 175th anniversary of ‘new’ Swindon. In September 1840, Daniel Gooch, then Superintendent of Locomotives for the Great Western Railway (GWR) wrote a letter to Isambard Kingdom Brunel recommending Swindon, a then rural hamlet, as the location for the new engine repair shed facility.

The recommendation was approved by the directors of the GWR on 25 February 1841 and the arrival of the railway gave rise to a new Swindon, the birth of a new railway town and the creation of an industrial powerhouse.

To mark this anniversary a Swindon175 programme of events has been created to not only celebrate Swindon’s heritage as a place of creativity and industry but as a springboard for the future, providing a focal point for businesses and communities to celebrate what has been achieved in the town and to look forward to Swindon’s continued development.

Local businesses, voluntary sector organisations and faith groups, will be involved in Swindon175 alongside the creative, heritage and statutory sectors. Already in the calendar is a concert by the Swindon Symphony Orchestra, a 10-day Swindon Fringe Festival and a week-long Swindon Arts Trail.

As well as the two returning locos, King George V and City of Truro taking pride of place at STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway, there will be new exhibitions marking New Swindon and the role Sir Daniel Gooch played.

Cllr Garry Perkins, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for STEAM, said: “A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes to bring these two locomotives back home to Swindon and I would like to thank everyone who was involved.

“Having King George V and City of Truro at STEAM is a great way to start our Swindon175 celebrations and I look forward to the many events next year that will recognise what is a pivotal date in our town’s history.”

Ian Larrard, Director of Business West and Chair of the Swindon175 Steering Group, said: “The Great Western Railway works became famous the world over because of its business, innovation and excellence – values which have remained part of the town’s DNA.

“Over the last 175 years those Swindon values have built Spitfires, shaped the Mini and made over 2 million Honda cars. It has become the European Headquarters for Intel, a top Global 100 brand and whose technology is in millions of computers and devices worldwide and is also home to Nationwide, the largest building society in the UK and Zurich, one of the largest insurance companies in the world. Along with a host of small innovative companies they are the reason our economy is as strong as it is today.

“Swindon is as proud today to say ‘Made in Swindon’, as it was when steam engines were made at the rate of 4 a week.”.

Details of the final Swindon175 programme will appear soon on www.swindon175.com and you can also find us on Facebook/swindon175

If you would like to get involved either to participate in the calendar of events or to give support to help us achieve a programme of events which will illuminate the town, please email: [email protected]