A five-day programme of events will take place from 24 to 28 March 2026 to mark 40 years since the closure of the historic Swindon Railway Works.
Exhibition at Hawksworth Hall – from Tuesday 24 March
An exhibition will open in Hawksworth Hall on Tuesday 24 March, featuring local heritage groups displaying photographs and artefacts from the time of the closure in 1986.
Two rolling slide shows will present press coverage leading up to the shutdown, alongside displays from groups including:
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Swindon Heritage Preservation
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Swindon Society
Thursday 26 March highlights
At 10am on Thursday 26 March, Swindon Heritage Preservation will host a ‘Breakfast for the Railway Workers’ at the Central Community Centre.
Later that day, at 2pm, a second exhibition titled ‘LAST BLAST’ will officially open at STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway.
Located on the mezzanine area in front of King George V, the display will depict the closure of the Works and will remain in place until the end of the year. Civic dignitaries, councillors, former railway workers and invited guests are expected to attend the official opening.
Limited free public access is available for the launch event via pre-ordered tickets from STEAM.
At precisely 4.30pm — marking 40 years to the moment the original Works hooter sounded for the final time — the replica hooter (erected for the Swindon 175 celebrations in 2016) will be sounded once again, powered by steam from a traction engine boiler.
Friday 27 March
The exhibitions will remain open on 27 and 28 March.
On Friday evening, the 1986 film Railway Town, made by Martin Parry, will be screened at STEAM. This will be a ticketed event via the STEAM website.
Saturday 28 March
A series of talks, each around 30 minutes long, will begin at 11am in Hawksworth Hall. Speakers will reflect on themes surrounding the closure and its impact on the town.
The STEAM café, located on the first floor, will be open throughout the commemorative events.
For ticket applications and further details, visit the STEAM website.
