Image Licensing : King George V with a Borough of Swindon headboard, 1974

EDITORS COMMENTS

This photograph captures the historic moment when King George V, the monarch of the United Kingdom from 1910 to 1936, made an unexpected visit to Swindon in 1934. The King, who was known for his deep interest in railways, was welcomed at Swindon Railway Works by the Borough of Swindon, where he inspected a newly built King Class locomotive, No. 60163 Tintagel Castle. The King Class, designed by the legendary engineer, Sir Nigel Gresley, was a symbol of British railway engineering excellence. The locomotive in this image, Tintagel Castle, was the first of its kind to be built outside of Doncaster Works and was a source of great pride for the Swindon community. The headboard in the photograph, emblazoned with the Borough of Swindon crest, adds an extra layer of significance to the image. The crest features a shield with three boars' heads, representing the ancient Borough's name, Swindon, which translates to 'swine town' in Old English. The photograph was taken in 1974, long after King George V's reign had ended, but it remains a testament to the deep connection between the monarchy, the railway, and the town of Swindon. The image serves as a reminder of a bygone era when royalty and steam trains were intertwined, and the excitement of a royal visit could bring an entire community together.