GWR nearly gone at Swindon!

Goingnorth · Post by **Goingnorth** » Fri Feb 28, 2003 10:47 pm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2802081.stm

Just wondered if any GW fans had any comments. Personally I think Swindon council should get their finger out and preserve the towns heritage...

micksasse · Post by **micksasse** » Fri Feb 28, 2003 10:52 pm

deleted (i think!)

Goingnorth · Post by **Goingnorth** » Fri Feb 28, 2003 10:56 pm

micksasse wrote:Strictly o/t I know, but would point out that asylum seekers actually cost sod all (in particular compared with the cost of maintaining sanctions on the countries they come from, such as Iraq & Zimbabwe). Some of them are, of course, 'lucky' enough to get benefits. Others get zero.

True, but then we seem to like to arm these countries to the teeth. The politically correct won't even see a flag fly and all our heritage is going down the pan to suit minority groups.

Swindon and the Forth rail bridge are the thin end of the wedge.

The asylum seekers probably wasn't the best example to use, but there's too much waste goes on. What about Ken Livingstone spending Â£180 million fighting the government over the tube? When it's politics or someone's ego money seems no object. (Mr Hussian, Blair and Bush)

Anyway, I've deleted the example. It was a dum arse example to use.

micksasse · Post by **micksasse** » Fri Feb 28, 2003 11:13 pm

In that case I'll delete my post and stay on topic!

ThinLizzy · Post by **ThinLizzy** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 5:33 pm

Goingnorth wrote:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2802081.stm

Just wondered if any GW fans had any comments. Personally I think Swindon council should get their finger out and preserve the towns heritage...

Although i am a Southern fan, i agree with Rob. From reading the article, its clear the guy is charge is useless, but the bodies like the national heritage group, and the steam railways should all band together to try and save it.

60037 · Post by **60037** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 6:33 pm

well i am an avid GWR person. I have no problems with the other companys and am fond of many of their products.
Personally i think that without people such as enthusiasts most of the historically vital machines and industry that built the world and dragged the world out of primordial . would of been lost.

Does the average person not realise what the steam engine and railways did for the world? I had a normal education and was taught asolutely . all about what the railways did for the world.

I think this country has lost its pride, is ambishion, its drive. Remeber the old rivalries? they created a rail network that lead the world. The time came when the railways worked together, the GWR and the LNER, what did they make? the A4, still the worlds fastest!
Still need convinsing?,

City of Truro, the first 100mph machine on the face of the earth.
Scotsman, the first "official" 100mph machine
Mallard, the fastest steam engine on earth

What makes my blood boil is the way that society doesnt care,

micksasse · Post by **micksasse** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 7:26 pm

I disagree - OK, we could be losing an irreplaceable part of our history, but note the alternative use which the site's to be put to: it's to make way (if I get this right) for an expansion to the Designer Outlet Shopping Village adjacent.

Well, I don't know about you, but I think that this country has a real shortage of Shopping Experiences. We obviously need more shops. Especially ones where you can by Designer Outlets.

ThinLizzy · Post by **ThinLizzy** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 7:59 pm

micksasse wrote:I disagree - OK, we could be losing an irreplaceable part of our history, but note the alternative use which the site's to be put to: it's to make way (if I get this right) for an expansion to the Designer Outlet Shopping Village adjacent.

Well, I don't know about you, but I think that this country has a real shortage of Shopping Experiences. We obviously need more shops. Especially ones where you can by Designer Outlets.

May i suggest you duck now?

Goingnorth · Post by **Goingnorth** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 10:09 pm

ThinLizzy wrote:
micksasse wrote:I disagree - OK, we could be losing an irreplaceable part of our history, but note the alternative use which the site's to be put to: it's to make way (if I get this right) for an expansion to the Designer Outlet Shopping Village adjacent.

Well, I don't know about you, but I think that this country has a real shortage of Shopping Experiences. We obviously need more shops. Especially ones where you can by Designer Outlets.
May i suggest you duck now?

I think he was being sarcastic...

TOMMO79 · Post by **TOMMO79** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 11:08 pm

Someone should get a grant and start building those 5AT thingys in there

kimdurose · Post by **kimdurose** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 11:25 pm

I visited my local "Designer Outlet" today (McArthurGlen). I was that impressed I don't care if I never go again !!
I'd much sooner see whats left of Swindon Works any day. And that comes from a SR man !!

saddletank · Post by **saddletank** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 9:58 am

Well the GWR works ceased to exist at Swindon in January 1948. But pendants aside, the works really stopped being saveable in 1985 when BREL pulled out and announced final closure. The operation there at the moment is no more (and in many ways much less) than the engineering capacity of any preserved steam line, so why retaining it in that particular location should be an issue I fail to see.

I am concerned about the STEAM museum there based in one of the 1841 shops which is suffering from low visitor numbers and might soon go under. This museum does more to preserve and educate people about the GWR than any small workshop can. It's tragic that when I went there last year to view their archives they admitted that they have filing cabinets full of material, photos, plans, etc that isn't catalogued and can't be due to staff shortages. The museum can't employ another paid archivist so any cataloging work would have to be voluntary. How the archives of a significant engineering and railway company like the GWR can rot away without local government (or even central govt) funding their upkeep defeats me.

The condition of the Forth Bridge is however very alarming. I assume it has got into this condition by the . privatisation parasitic sub-contracting malarky forcing maintenance costs to spiral. Make sme sick. For Pete's sake Blair, DO SOMETHING to save our railway infrastructure before it's too late!

Fodda · Post by **Fodda** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 3:52 pm

Well said Martin.

I too love the STEAM museum in Swindon, and unfortunately, one of it's best points is the ease with which you can see and touch whatever you want just because there's hardly ever anyone in there! It's a crying shame that such a marvellous museum with such a huge amount of historic engineering is not given more advertising. But then that's Swindon council for you... bloody useless!

How about we all organise a day out and meet at the STEAM museum. It's very very easy to get to from the station (about 10 minute walk) and within even easier reach of one of Britain's best pubs (the Glue Pot) which does some of the best sausages around too.

How about it then? A meet in Swindon and a trip round the museum? Hmmm? Go on... it needs supporting.

saddletank · Post by **saddletank** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 4:47 pm

Fodda wrote:(the Glue Pot) which does some of the best sausages around too.

If I got there at 2:30 would they still have the good sausages?

Yep, a STEAM meet-up would be good. One for everyone to arrive at by train if they wanted to.

Fodda · Post by **Fodda** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 4:53 pm

Oh... errr... sorry Martin. I discovered to my own cost that food is only served between 12:00 and 2:00 pm. But make sure you don't eat before getting there. sausages come with mountains of chips, beans and a fried egg. I've had drunken duck and wild boar with calvados sausages so far. Might have to go for the bison steak dinner next time.

Atomic Systems

GWR nearly gone at Swindon!

GWR nearly gone at Swindon!

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