Fascinating tour today Paul. Long time since I visited but was most impressed at being able to walk down through the pit underneath Morning Star and hope you still can. So glad the museum is prospering. Very nice to see the rows of cottages built too. It’s a shame there isn’t a cottage kept as it was like they have in Black Country Museum. Thank you.
Thank you Marilyn! Always great to hear from you. Yes, there is a museum cottage there - it was the one with the very tall chimney in the photos. It is near the 'Pot of Glue' pub. It was supposed to be open too, as it was Heritage Day, but I think it closed early, maybe not enough volunteers to staff it? It is done out like it would have been in the late 19th C. I think. I have the Black Country Museum, although just outside the area that I cover, down for a visit and a future video. I have been before but not for TH-cam and a while ago. Thanks again, Take care, Paul
Thank you Michael - yes, both places are essential visits for all things GWR. They are both well done, but in different ways. Obviously, there is nothing in steam at STEAM, but the displays are all excellently done. Didcot adds to this by showing things in steam and train rides too. Can't recommend them both highly enough, and both are very easy to get to by train too! I would recommend a full day for each though. Take care, Paul
Ah!! It was lovely to watch this and remember that fantastic day at the STEAM museum. I loved all the photography. Really stunning black and white photography. Thanks so much for linking to my video at the end too.
Thank you Louise! And thank you for letting me join you in your video too - it really was a fantastic day, with much going on. Glad you enjoyed it. Take care, Paul
Oh dear, Louise. I watched your version sometime ago now, so I was surprised to see this one by Paul, so long afterwards. It was quite atmospheric in monochrome and although he showed the transverser nothing was mentioned regarding its purpose.
Hello Paul. Greetings from Poland That video was fantastic. Shame it wasn't longer! So much to see and do. It's plain to see just how much pride there was, in the manufacturing of all those magnificent GWR locomotives
Good morning Michael, I don't mind admitting that the end of this video made me feel slightly tearful at the end - a way of life gone forever, and all that pride and skill and craft gone forever. I had a neighbour here in Gloucestershire that worked there for many years, and he spoke highly of the camaraderie and high morale. It is a real credit the skill too of the museum owners and volunteers and staff in putting this together. The models and sets put Madame Tussaud's to shame I think - a lot of them are very life like and realistic, and it brings the whole thing to life. Take care, Paul
Hi Paul, Really excellently narrated over some wonderful black and white photos. Enjoyed Louise's version of the day too. Yes, I note your comments on the loss of a way of life. It must have come as quite a shock to Swindon when the works finally closed, although it was probably in gradual decline before that. I remember how it felt when Portsmouth Royal Dockyard was downgraded to a Naval Base, just before the Falklands War as well. The deindustrialization must have affected so many communities. And what do we have now, well lots of shiny new trains from all over except the UK, not all of them compatible and driver coverage difficult with so many different systems. It's how I see it from afar, I sometimes despair. Maybe Great British Railways, when it happens, will redirect things, I hope so. Great video, just spotted a photo for you!! All the best
Good morning David. Yes, it was a devastating blow to Swindon's economy when the works closed - and one it has never really recovered from, sadly. Honda's giant car factory opened with a huge fanfare a few years later, but that too has now closed, leaving Swindon without a real purpose apart from being near the M4, and the Bristol-London railway line. Glad you enjoyed the video - it was a most enjoyable day there. Take care, Paul
Hi Paul. our former neighbour mrs betty dummer was brought up by the works. Her mother used to work for mr churchwood at his gwr house near the present water tour restaurant. Many of the dummers worked in the works and are part of the memorial in the museum. Caroline.
Thank you Caroline. I remember Stan & Betty Dummer well. Stan used to let Dad use the pit inside the garage to work on his car. Also remember when Severn Sound radio did a live OB from their bungalow one Sunday (Sunday Lunch slot) for a Sunday Roast! Yes, I remember talking to him about working in the works in Swindon - I didn't know about Betty's mum though and Mr George Churchward - wow! That's amazing! Thanks Caroline, Take care, Paul
The model village idea reminds or Bourneville - looking after their workers etc. Excellent and interesting narration too. Steam sounds like a place I really need to visit soon and wonderful photos (look the health and safety sign in one of the last photos).
Yes, you are absolutely right Jesse - very much how the Cadbury Brothers looked after their workforce. I liked my visit to Bournville Village a couple of years ago. If you haven't been to STEAM before, I can highly recommend it - it is only about 10 mins walk from the station (turn right after leaving Swindon Station, and then walk along that tunnel you see in one of the shots - brings you out by the designer shopping centre and STEAM - the National Trust HQ is there too!). It was a great day there. I know Louise enjoyed the day too. I always do the voiceover pieces in the garden shed! It is fairly quiet in there, and the acoustics are good. Wrote the script in a cafe. Thanks for watching and the comment. Take care, Paul
Really enjoyed watching this video, Paul. Very interesting, thank you for all your hard work. we look forward to seeing more videos you make regards Gary and Julie.
Good morning Darren - and thank you! Definitely not an outside wandering day today though! Think I will be editing. Hope you have a super Sunday. Cheers, Paul
@@westcountrywanderings definitely not an outside day Paul, it's blowing a hooly here and is rather moist to say the least. enjoy your day Paul, all the best, Darren
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Thank you for a most interesting and enjoyable tour of this fascinating GWR museum. I've put it on my list of 'must visits'
Wondeful. Swindon the home of railway cup of tea!
Thank you Frank!
Yes, we really enjoyed our day here - it is a wonderful museum.
Take care,
Paul
Fascinating tour today Paul. Long time since I visited but was most impressed at being able to walk down through the pit underneath Morning Star and hope you still can. So glad the museum is prospering. Very nice to see the rows of cottages built too. It’s a shame there isn’t a cottage kept as it was like they have in Black Country Museum. Thank you.
Thank you Marilyn!
Always great to hear from you.
Yes, there is a museum cottage there - it was the one with the very tall chimney in the photos. It is near the 'Pot of Glue' pub. It was supposed to be open too, as it was Heritage Day, but I think it closed early, maybe not enough volunteers to staff it? It is done out like it would have been in the late 19th C. I think.
I have the Black Country Museum, although just outside the area that I cover, down for a visit and a future video. I have been before but not for TH-cam and a while ago.
Thanks again,
Take care,
Paul
Thank you Paul. Very enjoyable.
I loved the realistic models/ mannequins 🙂
Thank you Cathy!
Glad you enjoyed it. Yes, the sets and models were fabulous to see, and skillfully done. I enjoyed them too.
Take care,
Paul
Lovely. That's somewhere I must visit, Paul. And maybe take in Didcot, too!
Thank you Michael - yes, both places are essential visits for all things GWR. They are both well done, but in different ways.
Obviously, there is nothing in steam at STEAM, but the displays are all excellently done. Didcot adds to this by showing things in steam and train rides too. Can't recommend them both highly enough, and both are very easy to get to by train too!
I would recommend a full day for each though.
Take care,
Paul
Very enjoyable- a must visit for steam buffs! Beautifully photographed in black and white. Thanks Paul!
Thank you Diana!
Glad you enjoyed it.
Take care,
Paul
Ah!! It was lovely to watch this and remember that fantastic day at the STEAM museum. I loved all the photography. Really stunning black and white photography. Thanks so much for linking to my video at the end too.
Thank you Louise! And thank you for letting me join you in your video too - it really was a fantastic day, with much going on.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Take care,
Paul
Oh dear, Louise. I watched your version sometime ago now, so I was surprised to see this one by Paul, so long afterwards. It was quite atmospheric in monochrome and although he showed the transverser nothing was mentioned regarding its purpose.
That was so interesting, the scenes with the mannequins were so good. Thanks for showing us round.
Thank you Faith!
Glad you enjoyed it - yes, we were both very impressed with the sets and the whole museum - it is very well laid out.
Take care,
Paul
Hello Paul. Greetings from Poland
That video was fantastic. Shame it wasn't longer!
So much to see and do. It's plain to see just how much pride there was, in the manufacturing of all those magnificent GWR locomotives
Good morning Michael,
I don't mind admitting that the end of this video made me feel slightly tearful at the end - a way of life gone forever, and all that pride and skill and craft gone forever. I had a neighbour here in Gloucestershire that worked there for many years, and he spoke highly of the camaraderie and high morale.
It is a real credit the skill too of the museum owners and volunteers and staff in putting this together. The models and sets put Madame Tussaud's to shame I think - a lot of them are very life like and realistic, and it brings the whole thing to life.
Take care,
Paul
Hi Paul, Really excellently narrated over some wonderful black and white photos. Enjoyed Louise's version of the day too.
Yes, I note your comments on the loss of a way of life. It must have come as quite a shock to Swindon when the works finally closed, although it was probably in gradual decline before that. I remember how it felt when Portsmouth Royal Dockyard was downgraded to a Naval Base, just before the Falklands War as well.
The deindustrialization must have affected so many communities. And what do we have now, well lots of shiny new trains from all over except the UK, not all of them compatible and driver coverage difficult with so many different systems. It's how I see it from afar, I sometimes despair. Maybe Great British Railways, when it happens, will redirect things, I hope so.
Great video, just spotted a photo for you!!
All the best
Good morning David.
Yes, it was a devastating blow to Swindon's economy when the works closed - and one it has never really recovered from, sadly. Honda's giant car factory opened with a huge fanfare a few years later, but that too has now closed, leaving Swindon without a real purpose apart from being near the M4, and the Bristol-London railway line.
Glad you enjoyed the video - it was a most enjoyable day there.
Take care,
Paul
Hi Paul. our former neighbour mrs betty dummer was brought up by the works. Her mother used to work for mr churchwood at his gwr house near the present water tour restaurant. Many of the dummers worked in the works and are part of the memorial in the museum. Caroline.
Thank you Caroline.
I remember Stan & Betty Dummer well. Stan used to let Dad use the pit inside the garage to work on his car. Also remember when Severn Sound radio did a live OB from their bungalow one Sunday (Sunday Lunch slot) for a Sunday Roast!
Yes, I remember talking to him about working in the works in Swindon - I didn't know about Betty's mum though and Mr George Churchward - wow! That's amazing!
Thanks Caroline,
Take care,
Paul
The model village idea reminds or Bourneville - looking after their workers etc. Excellent and interesting narration too. Steam sounds like a place I really need to visit soon and wonderful photos (look the health and safety sign in one of the last photos).
Yes, you are absolutely right Jesse - very much how the Cadbury Brothers looked after their workforce. I liked my visit to Bournville Village a couple of years ago.
If you haven't been to STEAM before, I can highly recommend it - it is only about 10 mins walk from the station (turn right after leaving Swindon Station, and then walk along that tunnel you see in one of the shots - brings you out by the designer shopping centre and STEAM - the National Trust HQ is there too!).
It was a great day there. I know Louise enjoyed the day too.
I always do the voiceover pieces in the garden shed! It is fairly quiet in there, and the acoustics are good. Wrote the script in a cafe.
Thanks for watching and the comment.
Take care,
Paul
What a pearl- Swindon sure added to the UK history books. A great coverage Paul. Have a great Sunday. 👌🇳🇱🙋♀🥝
Thank you Anita, and, yes, a huge amount of engineering, railway and social history here.
Hope you are keeping well.
Take care,
Paul
Really enjoyed watching this video, Paul. Very interesting, thank you for all your hard work. we look forward to seeing more videos you make regards Gary and Julie.
Thank you Gary & Julie.
Hope you have a lovely and relaxing Sunday.
Take care,
Paul
Great Video Paul, beautifully photographed and narrated, i must go and visit. thank you for creating this. best wishes Darren👌👍👍👍
Good morning Darren - and thank you!
Definitely not an outside wandering day today though! Think I will be editing.
Hope you have a super Sunday.
Cheers,
Paul
@@westcountrywanderings definitely not an outside day Paul, it's blowing a hooly here and is rather moist to say the least. enjoy your day Paul, all the best, Darren
Hi Paul nice photos ,have a good Sunday 😀
Thank you Roy!
Hope you have a good Sunday too.
Take care,
Paul