STEAM: 20 years ofa modern Swindon success
Swindon’s Steam– Museumof the Great Western Railway had its 20th birthday in June, but celebrations were postponed as the venue in part of Brunel’s great workshops remained closed due to the Covid- 19 pandemic, writes Robin Jones.
Swindon’s Steam– Museum of the GreatWestern Railway had its 20th birthday in June, but celebrations were postponed as the venue, inpart of the great works, remained shut due to Covid- 19, writes Robin Jones.
as the National Trust annual general meeting and Swindon’s general election count, plus well- known annual events such as the Great Western Brick Show.
In 2011, STEAM received a once- ina- lifetime bequest in the formof a huge collection of railway relics that had belonged to collector Brian Harry who died in August 2005.
The collection comprised 72 GWR cabside number plates, 15 locomotive tender plates, more than 150 cast iron signs and a variety of GWR objects, including silverware, signalling equipment, fixtures and fittings – plus around 40,000 photographs, including some rare archive material.
With the death of his widow Janet, the items were transferred to STEAM and are now displayed as the Harry Collection
“I believe STEAM has a bright future ahead for another 20 years.”
Collection