From childhood train journeys and family holidays to railway workers and long-forgotten stations, residents across Swindon and Wiltshire are being invited to share their memories for a new exhibition celebrating the county’s railway heritage.
Community rail partnership TransWilts is looking for photographs, personal stories and recollections from people who have a connection to Wiltshire’s railways, with the contributions set to feature in exhibitions at local railway stations during 2027.
The project, called Faces On The Line, will explore the history of railway routes and the communities that have grown around them, bringing together stories from across Swindon, Westbury, Warminster, Melksham, Dilton Marsh, Pewsey and Bedwyn.
Organisers are keen to hear from people of all ages, whether their memories stretch back several decades or relate to more recent journeys.
For a town like Swindon, where the railway has played such an important part in its development, the exhibition offers another opportunity to preserve the personal stories behind the tracks, trains and stations.
From railway workers to a cat travelling without a ticket
Among the memories already shared is a story from former Staverton resident David Maunder, whose step-grandfather worked as Station Master at Trowbridge until his retirement in 1934.
David remembers him as a gentle giant, standing at an impressive 6ft 8in, who would take him and his sister to Staverton station when they were children.
He recalled: “My step-grandfather, Mr Pugh, was the Station Master of Trowbridge train station until his retirement in 1934. I remember a gentle giant of a man, he was 6′ 8″, originally from Haverford West and was kind and caring.”
One of David’s memories involved his step-grandfather taking the children across the railway lines between platforms rather than using the footbridge, something that would certainly raise eyebrows today.
But perhaps the most unusual story involved the family’s cat, Nicky, who decided to join David on his journey to school.
“One day he followed me onto the train from Staverton to Trowbridge, and then followed me to school. I took him back to the station, and asked the guard to put him on a train home and they never charged a fare for him!”
It’s exactly the sort of personal recollection that TransWilts hopes to uncover through the project.
Every railway memory has a story to tell
While Wiltshire has a long railway history, the organisers want the exhibitions to go beyond historical dates, locomotives and station buildings.
Instead, they hope to capture the everyday experiences of people who have used the railway throughout their lives.
That could include memories of travelling to school, meeting loved ones at a station, heading off on a first holiday or commuting to work.
Former railway employees and their families are also encouraged to contribute, particularly those with photographs or stories that offer a glimpse into working life on the railways.
Sophie Martin, TransWilts Community Partnership Manager, said: “Railways are about so much more than getting from A to B. They are part of people’s lives, from journeys to school and family holidays to first jobs, daily commutes and special occasions.
“Generations of families have connections to their local stations and railway lines, and we’d love to capture those stories before they are lost.”
She added that people do not need specialist railway knowledge or an extraordinary experience to get involved.
“You don’t need to be a railway enthusiast or have a particularly unusual story to take part. We’re interested in the everyday memories just as much as the extraordinary ones, and hope people across Wiltshire will get involved.”
Preserving Wiltshire’s railway heritage for future generations
The Faces On The Line exhibitions are planned for 2027, with displays at stations across the area.
By combining historical information with personal accounts, TransWilts hopes to create a picture of how the railway has shaped people’s lives and connected communities over the years.
For Swindon residents, particularly those with family connections to the railway industry, the project could provide an opportunity to share stories that might otherwise remain tucked away in family photograph albums or passed down through generations.
Even a small memory could help tell a much bigger story about the county’s railway heritage.
How to share a railway memory
Anyone with a story or photograph to contribute can contact TransWilts directly.
Email: faces@transwilts.org
Contributions can cover any period of railway history, and there is no requirement for the story to be particularly unusual.
Further information about the community rail partnership is available on the TransWilts website.
With the exhibitions due to open in 2027, organisers are hoping people across Wiltshire will help bring the county’s railway memories to life.
