British Rail Engineering Limited Swindon Works No 13 Shop (Old L2 Shop)

RODBOURNE ROAD SU 1484 SWINDON BREL: Swindon Works 5/148 No 13 Shop (Old L2 Shop) 18.5.84 GV II*

Locomotive tender or tank shop, now machine shop. 1876. Iron framed building with red brick exterior walls, now partly amalgamated with other later buildings. The visible exteriors are long low frontages with arcaded treatment. Interior: 8 rows, each of 9 cast iron columns supporting a wrought iron and glazed roof construction. Columns are of 2 tiers, the lower heavier ones carrying crane gantry beams and some with brackets for line shafting, but upper columns are very short. One original 15-ton crane with timber beams and iron frontage. Four 10-ton cranes of iron construction, refurbished in steel. All were electrified in early C20 and 4 have their original motors. A number of original fitted cranes with swinging arms. Part of the large scale expansion of the Great Western works in the 1870's and a good example of a factory building of the period. One of an important group of Victorian industrial buildings at the GWR works.

Listing NGR: SU1403084977