Swindon Works Archive

Approximately 170 boxes of material that documents the functions and activities of Swindon Works and the broader Great Western Railway, British Railways Western Region and British Rail Engineering Ltd. The collection includes corresponce files, rolling stock specifications, committee minutes, diesel locomotive shopping files, agreements and deeds, drawing registers, reports and research, quotes and estimates, and staff management. There is a significant volume of material from Swindon Drawing Office documenting the design of rolling stock.

Swindon works was opened in 1843 by the Great Western Railway and was responsible for the construction of locomotives, carriages and wagons for the GWR and successor British Railways Western Region into the mid-20th century. At its peak the works employed fourteen thousand workers. Following the 1955 modernisation plan, locomotive manufacturing focussed on diesel hydraulic locomotives, licensing some of the technology from German manufacturers as well as working with British manufacturers Beyer Peacock and the North British Locomotive Company.

The bulk of the material in this collections dates from the post war period with a particular focus on the design and development of diesel locomotives. There is significant material coincerning the disposal of steam locomotives to scrap yards as well as sales (and prospective sales) to of locomotives to individuals and groups in the early railway preservation era. The material produced by British Rail Engineering Ltd mostly comprises quotes and correspondence with customers (both internal and external) and is not limited to rail related works.