Of Coppersmiths And Kings Swindon Works BBC 1985

In 1985 the BBC broadcast a series of three programmes about Swindon Locomotive Works, the first was called "Of Coppersmiths And Kings", the second was A Job For Life ? , and the final episode was called Off The Rails. I recorded these 3 episodes onto video tape at the time. In the first episode it was announced that the works were to close in 1986, a sad day for everyone at Swindon Works, all those jobs and skills lost, a very sad time indeed. Each episode is approximately 30 minutes long. If copyright is involved with these programmes no breach of copyright was intended. Enjoy.

[@user-dg3we5qn6e]

Railway factories and their heavy engineering practices give them an in awe like status Swindon,Crewe,Derby,Horwich,Doncaster,Darlington,Eastleigh and Brighton.Also including The North British works North of the border.thses places provided skills and employment for thousands, we didn't invest in heavy engineering and once we led the world. Swindon especially created quality products embelished with copper and brass fittings and everything the Great Western needed.No wonder it is more highly regarded than some others anybody living in the wessex area knows it is legendary and has a great sense of pride living in an area served by the Great Western Railway almost like an invisible stamp on your soul Great set of documentaries really gives a detailed description on all things GWR and Swindon.

[@cliveloveday8278]

Thanks KZbin, for the Legacy of all the skilled , semi skilled and all Staff at the Swindon railway works.

[@Jim-ok9zi]

That was so interesting. It’s makes you feel like we’ve lost a way of life that made you feel pride in your work. So many skills lost. So sad.

[@bugalugs661]

As a Swindon Lad ..displaced through my " Inside " Father in Swindon Works..I loved these videos..Still connected with Railway now..I am now on preserved lines..The Works were originally supposed to close around 1967.time..

[@herbertdaly5190]

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[@user-dg3we5qn6e]

The GWR set the benchmark for precision engineering when Stanier went to the LMS he was was constantly frustrated by their standards of quality and changed their policies, and reset the bar. Eventually other railways caught up .pride and work security and belief in what they produced gave the GWR an elite status.

[@richardchadwick4028]

All that skilled labour, gone ,shame ....

[@tonikeep4420]

14,500 workers down to 2,000 before she shut.incredible.

[@cartoonhead9222]

Criminal how a load of pencil pushers are allowed to kill off a town by shuttering works and moving manufacturing elsewhere.

[@antman09ful1]

Thanks for this Bill, always good to see a bit of history.

[@gcfcos]

Great video, Looking forward to watching the rest, thanks for uploading. After learning of the works museum we are going to visit in a couple of weeks

[@84asrd84boxy]

Many thanks for taking the time to view and comment on all 3 videos about Swindon Works and the men that worked there. I believe that the BBC did a great job putting this series together. Regarding your forthcoming visit to Swindon Steam Museum I did film one of my visits in 2007 it may give you an insight of what the Museum is all about. Although I didn't film everything. The video is somewhere on my channel. Best Regards...Bill

[@gcfcos]

We did go and it was fantastic! Just remembered as just watched this series of films again.

[@geoffhalstead1811]

That bark from the chimly! The first time I heard it I expected to see the chimney disappear skyward😮🤗

[@sam8alex12]

A Very interesting film Bill. Still got one more to watch, so Thanks

[@84asrd84boxy]

Ernest Johnson Ernie, I think the BBC did a great job of filming this series about Swindon Works, I am glad I kept the video tape of this programme, it's always nice to look back at what we had, but sadly no longer do, thanks for looking, much appreciated, hope you enjoy watching the rest, cheers...Bill

[@sam8alex12]

84asrd84boxy Sure I will BILL

[@truetothegame2928]

hard, boring work, I was an apprentice in K shed - the strikes were the worst... nostalgia is a funny thing

[@richarddutchholland4780]

You’ll never beat a KIng or Castle....

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

All three programs are very good. So, what ever happened to Swindon? Did the town remake itself? How is it doing today?

[@robinearle7225]

Going downhill gently.

[@1TruNub]

They dont make'en like they used to

[@84asrd84boxy]

They certainly don't, thanks for looking/commenting, cheers...Bill