History of the Great Western Railway site – BPMA’s new home
November 30th, 2009 admin
Swindon is largest town in Wiltshire with a population over 170,000. However, before 1840 Swindon was a market town serving the surrounding dairy farms with fewer than 2500 inhabitants. Its growth and population boom can be seen as a direct result of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s decision to choose Swindon as the site for the railway works of the Great Western Railway (GWR). At its peak in the mid 20th the railway works were employing over 14, 000 and the works stretched for 2.4 km. The railways were nationalised in 1948, and GWR became British Rail Western Region and the works became part of British Rail Engineering under the 1960 Transport Act. In 1960 the Evening Star became the last steam locomotive built for British Rail. The site …

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Swindon is largest town in Wiltshire with a population over 170,000. However, before 1840 Swindon was a market town serving the surrounding dairy farms with fewer than 2500 inhabitants. Its growth and population boom can be seen as a direct result of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s decision to choose Swindon as the site for the railway works of...
Are trains and railways the most covered topic on British commemorative stamps? A survey of the topic certainly suggests as much. We counted 19 British stamp issues which feature something related to the railways – toy trains, famous trains, railway stations and infrastructure, the invention of steam power and the locomotive, even a pub sign...
India’s The Hindu reports Indian Railways has organized the country’s first philatelic exhibition on wheels. According to the article, “The exhibition train, comprising three AC coaches, portray important developments in Indian Railways such as horse-drawn carriages, birth of steam locomotives, emergence of metro rail, monorail,...
Four of Australia’s most scenic railway trips are being celebrated by Australia Post with the launch of a new stamp issue titled Great Australian Railway Journeys. This issue features three 55c stamps – The Ghan, the Indian Pacific, the West Coast Wilderness Railway in Tasmania and one $2.10 international stamp – Kuranda Scenic...
Not just one, but two illustrious Swiss railway lines are celebrating their 100-year milestone in 2010 – the Niesen funicular and the Rhaetian Railway Bernina line. Swiss Post is issuing two stamps to commemorate each centenary. Since 1910, a funicular has been operating between Mulenen and the summit of the Niesen, high above Lake Thun. It is...
by Jo Sullivan, Project Officer: New Centre Project BPMA’s project to create a new Postal Museum & Archive on the Churchward Village site in Swindon recently received a piece of exciting news as the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) confirmed our first round pass for a grant of £2,617,800, including development funding of £117,800. Architect's...
Dr Adrian Steel Dr Adrian Steel has been appointed as the new Director of The British Postal Museum & Archive with immediate effect. The Director will be responsible for the leadership and the strategic development and direction of the BPMA. Brian Goodey, chairman of the Trustees of the BPMA said today “We are delighted that Adrian...
The LeisureConsultancy.com website reports that, “The British Postal Museum and Archive (BPMA) has been handed a boost from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) towards a scheme to establish a new £19m home in Swindon.” According to the article by Pete Hayman, “BPMA has moved closer to securing a grant worth more than £2.6m to help...
On Saturday, April 17, the United States Postal Service will release a series of four stamps titled Cowboys of the Silver Screen. The stamps feature four extraordinary performers who helped make the American Western a popular form of entertainment. Film stars from the silent era through the singing era are featured on the stamps: William S. Hart,...
Some of the exhibits As part of London 2010: Festival of Stamps , an exhibition of railway stamps and postcards has been mounted at Crewe Heritage Centre. The exhibition was organised jointly by North West Society of Philatelic Societies and Crewe Heritage Centre . The opening of the exhibition took place on Saturday 12th June 2010 at the Centre...
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