Railway Voices Inside Swindon Works by Rosa Matheson  Soft Cover
Railway Voices Inside Swindon Works by Rosa Matheson  Soft Cover
Railway Voices Inside Swindon Works by Rosa Matheson  Soft Cover
Railway Voices Inside Swindon Works by Rosa Matheson  Soft Cover
Railway Voices Inside Swindon Works by Rosa Matheson  Soft Cover

Railway Voices Inside Swindon Works by Rosa Matheson Soft Cover

Regular price $25.00 Sale


RailroadTreasures offers the following item:
 
Railway Voices Inside Swindon Works by Rosa Matheson Soft Cover
 
Railway Voices Inside Swindon Works by Rosa Matheson
Soft Cover
160 pages
Copyright 2008
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements  6
Introduction     7
Chapter 1Insiders   9
Chapter 2Controlling the Workers48
Chapter 3Conditions95
Chapter 4What is a Railwayman?125
Bibliography   159
INTRODUCTION
Isambard Kingdom Brunel is best remembered as the renowned engineer who built the Great Western Railway, but without any doubt his most important decision in respect to modern-day Swindon was to recommend the building of its world-acclaimed railway works on a then `greenfield site'. Without that and its subsequent development it is doubtful whether the historic facts related in this book could ever have taken place. It has been said that if Paddington was the brain of the GWR, then Swindon Works was its beating heart. Sadly, it was not so in the era of British Rail.
`New Swindon' was born a railway town and its people were railway people - Great Western Railway people - even in the age of British Rail. In the beginning `New Swindon' was the Works, the Company 'ouses and the nearby Swindon Junction Station with its inn, `the Queen's Tap'; there was nothing else. Over the decades this frontier settlement grew into a town that became known worldwide because of its famous `Works', its wonderful engines and carriages, its outstanding Superintendents and Chief Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, and the calibre of its craftsmen. The boast was `if you had worked in Swindon Works you could get a job anywhere!' and that didn't just mean Britain, but anywhere in the world.
`The Works' was made up of many parts. Initially just a `stabling and repair facility' for GWR's engines, it grew in activity and size until in 1878 Astills' Swindon Local Guide informed: `There are three principal Departments in the Works, viz 1) The Locomotive Factories; 2) The Carriage and Wagon Works; 3) The Rolling Mills, occupying about 90 acres.' At its largest capacity, in the 1930s, it covered some 326 acres including the main lines running through them and the GWR boasted: `Swindon Works comprise one of the largest railway establishments for the construction and repair of locomotives, carriages and wagons, in the world.' By the time of its closure in 1986, however, much had been knocked down, razed or sold off until only a few acres remained.
The story of`the Works' or `Inside' as it was known and called by Swindonians, is an industrial epic that stands on a par with any of the struggles and achievements of ancient or modern railway times as, from its very beginnings and through the whole of its life, it had to fight tooth and nail or `steam and diesel' for its survival. Its story reflects the `boom and bust' of railway fortunes both as a private company and as a nationalised enterprise. For 143 years the Works, through its people, heroically fought from one critical time to the next until the forces against it were too strong and it could no longer resist. On that sad historic day, 26 March 1986, when its hooter sounded at 4.30 p.m. for the last time, the part of Swindon which had been its raison d'was no longer and was then consigned to history.
Whilst many books have been written about the Works, few, if any, have given a chance to those who worked in its railway workshops to have their voices heard in the telling of that story. This book uses their words and experiences to tell the good, the bad and the ugly of working `Inside' from its beginning to its end.
ON THE BACK COVER
It was often joked that Swindon Works' men came with `GWR' stamped on their bottoms, so much so that even in the BR era they considered themselves Great Western! Those who worked `Inside' as locals called it, possessed a fierce pride in their work and in their worldwide reputation. Using material from numerous interviews with workshop men and women as well as official documents, Swindon expert Rosa Matheson examines the differences of each era - GWRBR; conditions in the Works; the idiosyncrasies of work practices, such as odd names of jobs like 'holder-upper' and generational family work histories. She also explores the relationships between the workers - men and women, shopfloor and management, foremen and men and especially `Loco' versus Carriage & Wagon!
Whilst many books have been written about the Works, few, if any, have given a chance to those who worked in its workshops to have their voices heard in the telling of that story. This beautifully illustrated book uses their words and experiences to tell the good, the bad and the ugly of working `Inside'.

All pictures are of the actual item.  There may be reflection from the lights in some photos.   We try to take photos of any damage.    If this is a railroad item, this material is obsolete and no longer in use by the railroad.  Please email with questions. Publishers of Train Shed Cyclopedias and Stephans Railroad Directories. Large inventory of railroad books and magazines. Thank you for buying from us.

Shipping charges
US Shipments:  Ebay will add $1.25 each additional items, there are a few exceptions.    
Ebay Global shipping charges are shown. These items are shipped to Kentucky and forwarded to you. Ebay collects the shipping and customs / import fees.   Refunds may be issued if you add multiple items to your cart and pay with one payment.    For direct postage rates to these countries, send me an email.   Shipping varies by weight.

Payment options
Payment must be received within 7 days. Paypal is accepted.

Terms and conditions
All sales are final. Returns accepted if item is not as described.  Contact us first.  No warranty is stated or implied. Please e-mail us with any questions before bidding.   

Thanks for looking at our items.