STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway will turn the clock back this month when its Golden Age Festival brings the sights, sounds and spirit of the 1930s, 40s and 50s to Swindon.
The one-day event takes place on Saturday, 26 September, with live music, wartime activities, vintage entertainment and family attractions, while visitors will receive 20 per cent off standard admission prices.
Music will be provided throughout the day by The Mary Lou Revue, Midwest Big Band and other vintage performers, helping recreate the atmosphere of the golden age of rail travel and wartime Britain.
There will also be plenty for younger visitors, with activities including Second World War object handling, giant floor games, marble games, footplate visits and hands-on scientific experiments based on the former Swindon Works laboratory.
One of the more unusual opportunities will be a visit to STEAM’s reconstructed Air Raid Shelter, which is not normally open to the public.
Visitors will be led into the darkened shelter by the museum’s Air Raid Warden after hearing a genuine air raid siren. Inside, sound effects and displays will recreate the experience of an air raid and explore how people in Britain tried to maintain morale during the Blitz.
Places in the shelter are limited and advance booking is recommended.
The festival will also provide an opportunity to explore STEAM’s permanent Great Western Railway collections, as well as being among the first visitors to see the museum’s new Go Great Western gallery.
The permanent gallery explores how the Great Western Railway developed into the country’s holiday line, helping open up the South West to tourists and playing a role in the development of modern tourism.
It also looks beyond the railway itself at the wider transport network operated by GWR, including buses, boats and air services.
Councillor Matthew Vallender, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Planning and Regeneration, said the festival would celebrate the heritage behind one of the town’s major attractions.
“The event brings the museum to life, giving visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds and stories around the Second World War period,” he said.
“It’s a great opportunity for people of all ages to discover Swindon’s railway history, explore our latest displays and enjoy a memorable day out at a reduced admission price.”
The Golden Age Festival takes place at STEAM on Saturday, 26 September, offering a mixture of railway history, wartime experiences, music and family activities.
Tickets and further information are available from STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway.
