History is set to be made next weekend as a famous Swindon landmark roars back into life.

The STEAM Museum is set to use live steam to power its replica hooter.

It was used right until the former Great Western Railway works were closed by British Rail in 1986, to remind employees and their Swindon families of past times.

The hooter will be sounded every hour on the hour on September 10/11 as part of the Museum’s Railway Festival.

23 model railway layouts are to be on display alongside the locomotives that were built in the works.

Swindon Advertiser: ‘Monksbury’ (7mm scale) by The Weatherbury Magna Group. Image courtesy of Railway Modeller magazine‘Monksbury’ (7mm scale) by The Weatherbury Magna Group. Image courtesy of Railway Modeller magazine

On Saturday, September 10, visitors will be able to have access to the footplate of many of the locomotives on display, including GWR 4-6-0 King Class No. 6000 King George V, GWR 4-6-0 Castle Class No 4073 Caerphilly Castle (both on loan from the National Railway Museum in York) and GWR 4-4-0 Class No. 3440 City of Truro.

Ian Surtees, STEAM’s Deputy Manager, said: “Now in its 21st year, the Swindon Railway Festival is one of STEAM’s biggest annual events. It’s a celebration of all things Great Western Railway and features some of the UK’s finest model railway layouts.

“This year’s event remembers our dear friend Owen Gibbon, who for many dedicated years worked with staff at STEAM to help organise the festival and attracted the best railway layouts and demonstrators to the show.

"All of the layouts attending the event this year were specially selected by Owen before he passed away last year.”

Councillor Matty Courtliff, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Heritage, Leisure, and Town Centre Experience, said: “The Swindon Railway Festival is a fantastic tribute to Swindon’s heritage and has been a highlight of STEAM’s events calendar for many years.

“Having worked for the railway for nine years, I am thrilled that the festival is returning this year and the fact that we will have the sounds of the replica Swindon Works Hooter will make the event even more special and is sure to bring back many memories for people in the town.”

STEAM will also be taking pre-orders for its brand-new Western Enterprise D1000 model at the festival. With only 500 limited edition models being available to purchase.