This is a record of repaired (mainly steam) locomotives emerging from Swindon Works toward the end of the steam era, when such operations were still commonplace. (Colour) The opening sequence shows the nameplate Swindon, which was the final 'Castle' class 4-6-0 (No.7037) to be built at Swindon Works as late as 1950. Spotless sister engine No.7023 Penrice Castle (with double chimney) then moves past Swindon erecting shop. Following this are close ups of its smokebox and double...

This is a record of repaired (mainly steam) locomotives emerging from Swindon Works toward the end of the steam era, when such operations were still commonplace. (Colour) The opening sequence shows the nameplate Swindon, which was the final 'Castle' class 4-6-0 (No.7037) to be built at Swindon Works as late as 1950. Spotless sister engine No.7023 Penrice Castle (with double chimney) then moves past Swindon erecting shop. Following this are close ups of its smokebox and double chimney, cylinders, nameplate and cabside numberplate. At the rear of the train, the crew can be seen in the cab. BR 'Britannia' 4-6-2 No.70025 Western Star is turned on the turntable, and the nameplate on the smoke deflector, whose hand rails have fairly recently been removed and replaced by hand holds, can also be seen. This followed investigations into a 1955 derailment caused by poor forward visibility from the cab. Recently built Western Region 'Warship' diesel-hydraulic D823, in green matt paint and without nameplates is undergoing repairs in the open air. A man enters the cab, gets to work with screw driver, and with colleague, checks controls. The destination box is opened which is erroneously inscribed 8D23. Also in the works yard men are then seen working on grimy Churchward mixed traffic 2-8-0 No.4701, of which only nine were built. (Contrary to appearances it is not being broken up). Newly repainted GWR 4-4-0 City of Truro poses by water tank and is suddenly obscured by a single chimney 'Castle' rushing past on an express while a 'King' 4-6-0 with headboard then runs the other way. A further close up of 3440 is again obscured by a passing diesel multiple unit. (Black & white) Newly overhauled 350hp 0-6-0 diesel electric shunter D3979 rumbles past pulling immaculate black 0-6-0 pannier tank No.4695 out of erecting shop. The driver can be seen in the cab of D3979 as well as the 4695 cabside numberplate. An adjustable loading gauge is seen being set up, and 4695 is run underneath. The hand rail around the back of the cab only just clears. Large ex-GWR 2-6-2T No.6116 in steam is coupled up to 6169, then BR Class 3 2-6-2T in green livery. There is a close up of pony wheel set against wooden chock with not to be moved sign on back of bunker. Additionally, other parts can be seen in detail including the connecting rod and crosshead with gudgeon pin being knocked home. There are apprentices at work nearby. 6116 reverses with two Morris Oxford cars visible in background, and the film concludes with close up of 6116's rods and engine moving past water crane. Historical Notes: The date of the colour sequence can accurately be put at June 1960. BR 4-6-2 No.70025 completed a heavy intermediate repair on 11 June, while ex-GWR 2-8-0 No.4701 spent the entire summer in Swindon Works, emerging fully repainted and with a new boiler in September (it was condemned three years later in September 1963). It is possible the black & white sequence was filmed at Wolverhampton Works rather than at Swindon Works but this cannot be confirmed.