Easter holiday activities at Swindon’s STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway include a new exhibition about female pioneers in railway engineering, an air raid shelter experience, and an opportunity to climb aboard Swindon-built GWR locomotives.

STEAM tells the story of the men and women who built, operated and travelled on the Great Western Railway, a network that, through the vision and genius of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, set the standard for rail travel.

A brand-new special exhibition programme for 2023 entitled ‘Great Women’s Railway’ explores the important contribution which women made to the Great Western Network. The first exhibition, entitled In a Man’s World opens on Saturday 1 April, giving a voice to four female pioneers in railway engineering: Elsie Winterton, Hettie Bussell, Sarah Guppy and Karen Harrison. Films produced in partnership with Prime Theatre, supported by Wiltshire Community Foundation and Arts Council England, will be played in two of STEAM’s exhibition areas. In these films, actors bring the four women’s stories to life in dramatic narratives explaining their contribution to science and engineering. Spanning a period of 150 years, the films examine the trials and tribulations which the women experienced working in an industry dominated by men, and how they overcame them. Previously unseen objects from the STEAM collection will put their lives into context.

On Wednesday 5 and 12 April, STEAM is opening its reconstructed Air Raid Shelter to the public for the first time. The Air Raid Warden will sound the warning siren and ushering visitors to safety. Visitors can discover an impressive collection of original Second World War objects and ephemera as they experience the shelter’s dark and cramped conditions. They will also learn how people passed the time and kept morale high while the noise of the Blitz raged on, by trying their hand at identifying British and enemy aeroplanes. The experience is suitable for those aged seven and over and is included with museum admission. Please make reservations online.

STEAM’s fortnightly Meet the Railway Workers experience is also back on Saturday 1 and 15 April. Hosted by the museum’s friendly and knowledgeable volunteers, this activity offers visitors the chance to enjoy guided tours of STEAM and climb aboard iconic Swindon-built locomotives, including: No. 3717 City of Truro, No. 6000 King George V and No. 2818.

Throughout the Easter holidays, families are invited to take part in a special adventure through the museum with a new White Rabbit Pocket Watch Trail. Families can help the white rabbit find his eight timepieces that have been lost in STEAM as they spend time exploring the displays. Trails are suitable for all ages.

Tickets are available through the STEAM website.

Councillor Matty Courtliff, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Heritage, Leisure and Town Centre Experience, said: “With such a great range of educational activities taking place over Easter, a visit to STEAM is a exciting way for all of the family to step back in time and experience Swindon’s rich history.

“STEAM brings the Swindon story to life with immersive and interactive reconstructions, so you can have a go at driving the steam-train simulator, get up close to Swindon-built locomotives and even take part in the Air Raid Shelter experience. What’s more, all activities over Easter are included as part of the museum admission.”