Steam: Great Western Railway museum,Swindon

Day before yesterday, I went to the Great Western Railway museum also known as STEAM.  Swindon has a very deep connection with the Great Western Railway and it was here that the it built its engine and carriage factory.  In fact the museum itself is housed in a former factory building. 

The exhibition itself didn't have that many train engines on show, instead it highlighted the production process of the engines and carriages, along with the daily lives of its employees. 

At one stage the factory complex employed 14,000 men and women.  The sons of the men usually followed their fathers into the company.  The workshop display, along with its smell reminded me of metalwork class at school. 

There were a few interactive exhibits including a mock signal box where you can play signalman and direct some video game trains.  Most of interactive exhibits were aimed at children. 

The highlight for me was looking up at the base of the Caerphilly Castle engine as trench built underneath to give a bougie view.

After lunch upstairs, I made my way out. It was quite enjoyable and informative but it doesn't beat the National Railway Museum in York.