The Steam Workshops of the Great Western Railway

As the Great Western Railway grew, it absorbed a huge number of railway companies, the astonishing figure of 353. Many had their own workshops, depots and manufacturing, often assembling their own locomotives to the design of other companies. All these, along with the various designs, became the responsibility of the Great Western on takeover, and followed its standardisation of components where it could be done. Retired GWR railwayman Ken Gibbs tells the story of the growth and expansion of the steam workshops, all now Great Western property, which thrived until the end of the steam era. Many, as with Swindon Works, suffered closure and demolition. Some fortunately survived and are prospering again in the heritage era today.