ANOTHER icon from Swindon’s past rolled into town today as the City of Truro locomotive arrived to take its place in the STEAM museum.

It was the first British engine to travel faster than 100 miles per hour and while the journey on the back of a lorry was not as fast, it was met with delight upon arrival.

The City of Truro will join King George V, another iconic Swindon locomotive which arrived yesterday, and together they will form the centrepiece of the Swindon 175 celebrations.

On February 25, 1841, Great Western Railway directors authorised the establishment of the railway works in Swindon, after the town was identified by Daniel Gooch as being the ideal place for the central repair works. Construction started immediately and a new Swindon was born.

Next year will mark the key anniversary and a lot of effort has gone into making sure the trains are in place.

“It’s a great feeling. We have worked hard with our partners at the British Railway Museum as without them this would not have happened,” said Ian Surtees, the manager of STEAM.

“A lot of planning has had to happen to get everything, including the finances in place so it’s nice to finally have everything done.”

Number 3440 City of Truro was designed by George Jackson Churchward and was built at the Swindon Works in 1903 and in May the following year clocked the record speed.

Ian said: “As the move has taken place it’s created a lot of excitement among the local businesses as well as the town.

“The King George V is one the icons of Swindon which a lot of people want to see in Swindon. It’s nice to see the level of interest which has been created.

"My mum, dad and grandparents worked in the railway works so this is in my blood and I have been passionate about bringing them to Swindon.

“We are feeling very proud right now.”

STEAM is currently closed while City of Truro and King George V are put in place but will be open in a few weeks.

“The museum will open on November 21 so people will be able to see the locomotives then,” said Ian.

“In January, when the Swindon 175 celebrations start, we will have specially panels with information.”

As well as the return of the two locomotives, Swindon175 will see a year-long programme of events next year throughout the town to commemorate the 175th anniversary. Details will appear soon on www.swindon175.com and at www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk.

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