It’s FA Cup Final day! Good luck to both teams today. Back in January 1938 Swindon Town took on Grimsby Town in a FA Cup 3rd round replay. This notice from the time was put up at the Carriage and Wagon Works. A large majority of men from the Works will have wanted to go and see the game which took place on a Wednesday afternoon. The notice appears to suggest that men worked an extra hour on Tuesday and Thursday (the normal finish time was 4.30pm) in order to get off work earlier on the Wednesday to catch the game.
Swindon won the match 2-1, but went on to lose in the 4th round to Luton.
Have you got your tickets for this years Comic Con at STEAM on Saturday 20 June yet?
This year’s event features an amazing array of guest stars including Warwick Davies (Star Wars, Harry Potter), Brian Blessed (Flash Gordon, Star Wars) and Ben Whitehead (Wallace & Gromit). The event will also feature prop displays, photo opportunities and virtual reality experiences.
Come along and dress up as your favourite character and enter the free cosplay competition!
To find out more and book tickets visit
.uk/event/comic-con-2026/
Today we're sharing another photo related to our Object of the Month, Industrial Relations by J.E. Wigston, to mark 100 years since the General Strike ended on the 12th May 1926.
At the centre of the artwork is an image of a woman driving a GWR lorry. This is Mrs Talbot -who is also seen driving the lorry in today's photo - one of about 40 women who volunteered for the GWR during the General Strike. The GWR relied heavily on volunteers during the strike to maintain their services. 1571 volunteers from outside the company were employed during the nine day period. The GWR provided emergency training for these volunteers in various roles such as signalling, engine driving and guard duties.
Find out more about the GWR and the General Strike in our new exhibition – The General Strike – The GWR’s Story in Print. Open now until Spring 2027.
There's still time to join us for Little Locos this Wednesday (13 May) 🚂
Enjoy songs, craft, play activities and a themed story all inspired by the amazing objects in the Museum- this months theme is Tunnels!
We have two sessions in the Museum at 9.45am – 10.45am and 11.15am-12.15pm.
Find out more and book at
.uk/event/little-locos-8/
Have you seen our Object of the Month yet commemorating 100 years since the General Strike?
The General Strike took place over nine days from 4th May 1926. The strike was called by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in support of disgruntled coal miners over reductions in pay and increase in working hours. Railway workers were encouraged to strike by their unions and over 80% of the GWR’s workforce withdrew their labour.
This photo shows General Strike protesters in the North East of England (Image courtesy of Shawshots /Alamy).
Find out more about the GWR and the General Strike in our new exhibition – The General Strike – The GWR’s Story in Print. Open now until Spring 2027.
We've got another one for all you eagle eyed detectives to help us with! Do you recognise where this is? 🚂 If so let us know in the comments below so that we can share with the team
All photographs are copyright of STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway.
Don't miss Little Loco's on Wednesday 13 May - this months theme is tunnels!
Due to popular demand we have added in a second session again. so come along for either our 9.45am -10.45am session or 11.15am-12pm session.
Join us for songs, craft, play activities and a themed story inspired this month by tunnels!
Find out more and book your ticket at
.uk/event/little-locos-8/
Today marks 100 years since the General Strike. In commemoration of this our Object of the Month for May is a watercolour painting called Industrial Relations.
Industrial Relations was painted by John Edwin Wigston (b. 1939), a member of the Guild of Railway Artists. It features imagery from the General Strike, showing both GWR and trade union positions.
The General Strike took place over nine days from 4th May 1926. The strike was called by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in support of disgruntled coal miners over reductions in pay and increase in working hours. Railway workers were encouraged to strike by their unions and over 80% of the GWR’s workforce withdrew their labour.
Find out more about the GWR and the General Strike in our new exhibition – The General Strike – The GWR’s Story in Print. Open now until Spring 2027.
Broomsticks and wands at the ready! Today is International Harry Potter Day. Did you know that the engine of the Hogwarts Express train in the Harry Potter films is actually a GWR locomotive? No.5972, Olton Hall, was used in the filming of the movie series. It was painted red and given a new name, Hogwarts Castle.
This photograph of Olton Hall, from our STEAM Picture Library, was taken at Bodmin Road in 1958. No witches or wizards in sight!
Our new exhibition, The General Strike, is NOW OPEN!
2026 marks 100 years since the General Strike. Our new exhibition, The General Strike – the GWR’s Story in Print, looks at the GWR’s response to the strike through the posters and notices produced at the time.
On display is original material from the collection, including recent acquisitions donated to the Museum, which help tell this fascinating story.
Entrance to the exhibition is included with general admission.
Visit our website for full visiting information.
📸 BOOK YOUR GUEST PHOTOSHOOTS TODAY! 📸
Stars of Time Comic Con, Saturday 20th June, @steammuseum , Swindon
Meet WARWICK DAVIS, BRIAN BLESSED, BEN WHITEHEAD, PAUL KASEY, ABDUL SALIS, RONNIE LE DREW & PETER DESOUZA-FEIGHONEY
BOOK YOUR EVENT & GUEST PHOTOSHOOT TICKETS HERE: /swindon
#comiccon #photoshoot #museum #starwars #doctorwho
Our exhibition 'The Last Blast, The Closure of Swindon Works', tells the story of the last years of the Works and the end of Swindon’s history as a railway town a we mark the 40th anniversary of the closure. and includes items such as the protest leaflets seen here.
Make sure to visit this fascinating exhibition which is on at STEAM until March 2027.
