Commemorating GWR Works Closure. LAST BLAST 40’ – Commemorating the Closure of the Swindon Works is a series of events taking place from 24th to 28th March 2026.
To commemorate the closure of the Swindon Railway Workshops in 1986, there’s going to be a series of exciting events over 5 days in Swindon.
From Tuesday 24th an exhibition will run in the Hawksworth Hall at STEAM museum. It’ll feature local heritage groups displaying images and artefacts from the time of closure. There’ll be two rolling picture slide shows consisting of photographs of press coverage leading to the Works’ closure. That’s alongside displays by Swindon Heritage Preservation, the Swindon Society, and other groups.
Thursday the 26th March
On this date Thursday 26th Swindon Heritage Preservation will hold a ‘Breakfast for the Railway Workers’ at 10am in the Central Community Centre.
Following this later on the 26th, at 14.00 Hrs, another exhibition will have its official opening at STEAM:-
‘LAST BLAST’ situated on the mezzanine area in front of King George V, a display depicting the closure of the works, will run until the end of the year.
In attendance at these two concurrent exhibitions there’ll be civic dignitaries, councillors, ex-railway workers and invited guests.
Limited free public access is available by pre-ordered tickets from STEAM for the official opening on the 26th.
Outside, at 16.30pm precisely, 40 years since the original Work’s hooter sounded for the last time, the replica hooter (erected for the Swindon 175 celebrations in 2016) will sound, powered by steam from a traction engine boiler.
Listen to the replica hooter that sounded in March 2016 for the Swindon 175 celebrations:
Cafe
The STEAM café situated on the first floor will be open throughout for this special event. It’s advised that you pre-book for the café.
Further, there’ll be a showing, on Friday 27th, of the film ‘Railway Town’ made by Martin Parry in 1986, at STEAM. This will take place in the evening and will be a ticketed event (via STEAM website). £8 per person.
Saturday 28th March
On this date there’ll be various talks of around half an hour duration will start at 11.00hrs in Hawksworth Hall by a selection of speakers on topics around the closure.
For ticket application see STEAM website.
If you wish to get involved or contribute to the event, please email: lastblast40@outlook.com
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Hi Angela, can the current hooter sound again?
Neil
no – it can’t – but I couldn’t tell you why. But it obviously can’t thus they had a replica of it for the Swindon 175 stuff back in 2016.