CELEBRATIONS to mark the 175 years since the birth of Swindon’s railway works have already been put in place for next year.

In 2016 Swindon will celebrate the anniversary of one of the town’s most important and cataclysmic historical developments – the start of the railworks in the town and the foundations of the Great Western Railway.

On February 25, 1841, GWR directors authorised the establishment of the railway works in Swindon, after the town was identified by Daniel Gooch as being the ideal place for GWR’s central repair works.

Construction began immediately, heralding a new age for Swindon.

The anniversary will not just give occasion to celebrate the town’s railway heritage but it will also be an opportunity for the town to look to the future.

The initial plans for a year’s worth of celebrations and events have already been put in place with a varied programme of occasions, with one of the highlights expected to be the return of a flagship locomotive to the town from the National Railway Museum in York.

King George V was designed by Charles B Collet and was the GWR’s most powerful 4-6-0 train engine.

KGV was the first ‘King’ Class built at Swindon Works in June 1927, and was shipped to the United States in August 1927 to feature in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad’s centenary celebrations.

There, the train was presented with a brass bell and medals, which it still carries to this day.

This led to the affectionate nickname, The Bell.

Coun Garry Perkins, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member responsible for the Steam Museum, which charts the history of the railway in the town, is just one of thousands of people looking forward to next year’s celebrations.

He said: “Gooch’s letter to Brunel identifying Swindon as the best place to build the GWR Works planted the seeds for growth and acted as a springboard from which Swindon established itself as a progressive town built on innovation and vision.

“The railway works gave Swindon an identity and proved to be a pivotal point in the town’s history.

“I am therefore extremely pleased we will mark this significant period with a number of celebrations that everyone can enjoy.

“The return of King George V will be a particular highlight and it will be great to welcome home a part of Swindon’s heritage.”

As well as the comprehensive diary of planned events a number of other businesses and organisations have also begun to prepare for the occasion, including two of Swindon’s founding businesses, Deacons and Arkell’s.

Old Town jewellers Deacons has designed a special limited edition commemorative pocket watch to celebrate the anniversary, while popular local brewery Arkell’s will brew a special commemorative ale, which is likely to prove very popular.

The Steam Museum will also run a number of exhibitions during the year to mark the 175th anniversary of new Swindon and the role Sir Daniel Gooch played in creating the works and the town.

Swindon Borough Council is also keen to hear from any organisations, community groups or local schools who would like to get involved in the celebrations and have ideas on how to mark the occasion.

If you would like to get involved in the celebrations for Swindon175 contact Ian Surtees on 01793 466619 or email isurtees@swindon.gov.uk