British Rail Engineering Limited Swindon Works Main Office Block, Gwr Works

RODBOURNE ROAD SU 1484 NW SWINDON British Rail Engineering Ltd, Swindon Works 5/145 Main Office Block, GWR Works. 18.5.84 GV II

Chief Mechanical Engineer's and Drawing Office, now Works Manager's office and associated offices. 1840's, 1870's and 1903-8. Part ashlar, mostly coursed rubble with ashlar dressings. Later corrugated metal roofs. 3-storey, 15 x 3 window bays. The west wing, lying north-south, is the original building, the office of Sir Daniel Gooch being on the first floor, north end, where the original drawing office survives. This structure retains some ashlar work and one Venetian window, originally a doorway, at the south end. The next wing, lying east-west, was added in the 1870's at which time the west wing was also reconstructed. The top storey was added in 1903 (authorised 1st Nov. 1903) the construction perhaps not being completed until 1908. Sash windows with glazing bars in arched head to ground floor, square headed above. Some have been altered. Above the entrance doorway at second floor level are 2 carved reliefs broad gauge locomotives, perhaps Firefly Class, and relocated from the original broad gauge engine shed of 1843, and were relocated here in 1903-8. Internally, the public spaces retain the character of a late Victorian office with wooden and glazed screens and 2 good iron staircases with hardwood tread inlay. On the first floor, the east end consists of a private offices, now the Production Manager's office and a larger outer office divided into two in the 1950's for Secretary and Works Manager's office, the latter with decor typical of that period. All pargetting is still intact where concealed, as is the fireplace. Most of the windows are double glazed with standard sashes, a very rare example of Victorian noise insulation. The top floor drawing office is roofed using rolled bridge rails, an attractive feature. The whole building is archaeologically and historically most interesting, the nerve centre of the GWR works, used by Gooch, Armstrong, Dean, Churchward etc., and where the Castles, Kings, Warships and other important classes, both steam and diesel, were designed. The building demonstrates the 3 main periods of the historical development of the works and is one of an important group of Victorian industrial buildings at the GWR works.

Listing NGR: SU1442784972