Image Licensing : Men leaving Swindon Works, Rodbourne Road entrance, 1928

EDITORS COMMENTS

This photograph, taken in 1928 at the Rodbourne Road entrance of Swindon Works, transports us back in time to an era of industrial might and human endeavor. The Hoards of men, dressed in their work uniforms and carrying their tools, are making their way out of the works, their faces etched with a sense of relief and anticipation as the end of another workday approaches. The imposing pattern shop, with its tall chimneys and intricate ironwork, looms in the background, a testament to the intricate engineering processes that took place within its walls. The building, a symbol of the industrial revolution, was a hub of innovation and productivity, where skilled workers transformed raw materials into intricately designed components for the Great Western Railway's (GWR) locomotives and carriages. An omnibus, adorned with the distinctive Arkells advertising, waits patiently at the entrance, its doors open to welcome the weary workers. The sight of the bus, with its promise of a ride home, would have been a welcome relief for the men, who would have traveled long distances to and from the works each day. This photograph offers a glimpse into the daily lives of the workmen who labored at Swindon Works, a reminder of the vital role they played in the GWR's success and the broader industrial landscape of the time. The intricate patterns of the pattern shop, the determined expressions of the workers, and the ubiquitous presence of the Arkells advertising all come together to create a powerful and evocative image of a bygone era.