STEAM at Swindon
Yesterday, 10th September 2018, I joined friends on a hurriedly arranged visit to STEAM. It was not until after tickets were booked that I realised that it was to be my first visit since I left employment there in 1963.
Travel from Paddington and back was in Class 800s. We were expecting electric traction as far as Didcot, but as we heard nothing from the engine beneath, it is presumably at least as far as Swindon now (should have paid more attention to pantographs!).
Although the class 800 interior is somewhat basic, the seats are reasonably comfortable and the view through the windows from most seats is very good. We certainly had an enjoyable journey, considerably enhanced by the refreshment trolleys, manned by friendly ladies.
I was delighted to find that the entrance to STEAM is still through the same entrance as I knew from my working days and by all of us in spotting days.
To my surprise a considerable portion of the eastern end of the works is still standing, with much of it in some sort of use.
The museum is entirely centred on GWR to the exclusion of anything else.
All aspects are covered, locomotives in immaculate condition (with the exception of a partly stripped 4200 – is it known which this is?), all types of rolling stock, repair procedures, stations, track, delivery vehicles, ships, tools and everything else. It is a good long walk to get round them all, and a huge amount of information to look at, but well worthwhile.
An excellent and most recommendable visit.
