STEAM’s Railway Festival returns next weekend (10th September) with the Swindon Works Hooter sounding out across the town.

The festival runs on both Saturday and Sunday (10th and 11th September) and will include 23 model railway layouts out on display.

During the festival, smoky smells and different sounds will be flowing out of the from of the museum while Swindon firm Hatch Heritage & Steam Engineers display a selection of their vintage traction engines.

They will be once again bringing history to life, steaming the Swindon Works Hooter replica.

Before closure in 1986, the hooter was sounded everyday to remind people of the time. During the event the hooter will be sounded every hour.

Visitors on Saturday will have access to the footplates of a number of locomotives on display, some of which are GWR 4-6-0 King Class No. 6000 King George V, GWR 4-6-0 Castle Class No 4073 Caerphilly Castle and GWR 4-4-0 Class No. 3440 City of Truro.

Also at the festival will be a number of trade stands selling parts of model railways such as kits, tools and locomotives.

Modelling demonstrations will also be on over the weekend where visitors can speak to specialist modellers about loco and wagon building.

Visitors will also be able to see STEAM’s three new exhibitions which are ‘High Voltage – Electrification of the Western Network’, ‘The Diesel Decades’ and ‘Changing Trains – the Journey from Broad Gauge to Standard Gauge’.

The museum opens between 10am and 5pm with tickets available for £14.50 for adults, £9.70 for children and £11 for students and seniors.

More information on ticket prices and updates can be found at www.steam-museum.org.uk

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.
“The layouts are built by some of the UK’s most experienced and expert model railway creators. One highlight I am particularly looking forward to seeing is the magnificent 7mm layout entitled ‘Monksbury’ by the acclaimed Weatherbury Magna Group. Railway Modeller magazine featured the model as their ‘Railway of the Month’ for August.
“STEAM will also be taking pre-orders for our brand-new Western Enterprise D1000 model at the festival. Exclusive to STEAM, only 500 limited edition models will be available to purchase.”

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.
“Admission to the festival also includes entry to the museum itself, so the event offers great value for an amazing day out. Visitors can test their skills in the recreated GWR Signal Box, see iconic Swindon-built engines, and try out the steam train simulator as they travel through STEAM’s award-winning displays.”