King George V, the engine that has rested by the platform at Steam, Museum of Great Western Railway, is to be shunted out at the beginning of September for a two year break.
It will be making way for Evening Star, the last steam engine built in the Swindon railway works before old technology was finally killed off by British Rail.
There's a few more summer holi-days to enjoy the museum attractions.
Alan Greer, business director at STEAM said, “we’re thrilled to be offering so many new activities including our high-tech interactive signal box and a brand new children’s area.”
Alongside the permanent displays, interactive exhibits and seven locomotives, special events include summer fun quizzes every day.
Smiley Cats Kidz Club Holiday Camp for 4 to 11 years runs on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9.30am to 1pm. Structured arts and crafts, games and a supervised tour of the museum are on offer and costs £11 a day or just £8.60 with a Swindoncard. The club recently received an excellent Ofsted report.
The museum comes alive twice a month at ‘Meet the Railway Workers’ when visitors can climb aboard the famous locomotives and talk to retired railway men who explain the controls and give vivid descriptions of what it was like to drive the huge engines.
Steam is open daily from 10am to 5pm and parking at the Designer Outlet is free on exchange of an admission ticket.
Steam online
A wealth of archive images of Swindon’s railway heritage is to be found online.
Choose from hundreds of pictures and buy prints or have them printed on mugs, t-shirts, mouse mats or key-rings. Products on the site start at £2.99.
