Image Licensing : No 5002 Ludlow Castle outside Swindon Works, 1962

EDITORS COMMENTS

No. 5002 Ludlow Castle, a majestic 4-6-0 Castle Class locomotive built in 1926, is captured outside Swindon Works in this evocative photograph from the Steam Museum of the Great Western Railway (GWR). The Castle Class, designed by Charles Collett, was a significant advancement in steam locomotive technology for the GWR, with its powerful boiler and improved driving mechanism enabling it to haul heavy express trains with ease. No. 5002, named after the historic Ludlow Castle in Shropshire, wears its original green livery with intricate black and gold lining, typical of the GWR's distinctive and elegant design. The locomotive's large, polished brass fittings and gleaming metalwork gleam in the sunlight, reflecting the meticulous care and attention given to its maintenance. The photograph, taken in 1962, captures the locomotive in its final years of service before the advent of diesel and electric trains. The scene outside Swindon Works, the historic hub of GWR engineering, adds to the sense of nostalgia and history, with the red brick buildings and steam rising from the chimneys in the background. No. 5002 Ludlow Castle is a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the GWR's engineers and a reminder of the golden age of steam rail travel. Today, this iconic locomotive and many others like it are preserved at the Steam Museum of the Great Western Railway, where visitors can marvel at their beauty and learn about the rich history of steam rail transport.