Swindon’s rich railway heritage takes centre stage this week as STEAM Museum unveils a brand-new exhibition that delves into the life of railway apprentices at the historic Swindon Works.
Opening on Thursday 6th February, Doing Time – The Railway Apprentice offers a rare glimpse into the world of young men and women who embarked on their careers in rail through hands-on training at the famous works.
The exhibition forms part of Railway 200, a nationwide campaign marking 200 years since the birth of the modern railway, which began with the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825. The initiative celebrates the past, present, and future of the railway industry while shining a spotlight on Swindon’s pivotal role in shaping Britain’s rail network.
For two centuries, apprentices have been the backbone of railway engineering, ensuring that vital skills and craftsmanship were passed down through generations. Doing Time charts this journey, from the earliest apprenticeships to the final intake at Swindon’s Pre-Apprentice Training School before the works closed in 1986.
Featuring a treasure trove of historical artefacts, the exhibition showcases an original apprentice register from 1908, which records the names of fresh recruits to the Great Western Railway. A striking charcoal drawing by local artist Hubert Cook, depicting an apprentice at work in the Swindon Works, will also be on display, alongside intricate metalwork crafted by skilled trainees.
Felicity Jones, Collections and Exhibitions Officer at STEAM, said: “Doing Time features a range of fascinating images and objects from the Swindon Museums collections. My particular highlights include some exquisite brass and metalwork objects made by the highly skilful apprentices, many of which are going on display at STEAM for the very first time.
“The exhibition highlights the huge contribution Swindon Works apprentices played in the development of the nation’s railway network and the pride they took in their work.”
Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning, added: “For well over a hundred years, thousands of apprentices passed through the doors of the Swindon Works to learn the trades of the railways. Some of them still live in Swindon, and I was privileged to meet and speak with them. Their stories are fascinating, and this exhibition is a rare chance to enter into the world of the Works and learn about the lives of people who are not all that far in the past.
“This new exhibition will be a trip down memory lane for many former Swindon railway workers and their families, but I would urge everyone to visit the fabulous STEAM Museum to learn more about our town’s rich railway heritage.”
With its unique collection of artefacts, rarely-seen photographs, and first-hand stories from Swindon’s railway past, Doing Time – The Railway Apprentice is set to be a must-visit for history lovers and railway enthusiasts alike.
