Evening Star to celebrate 50th birthday

Come and join STEAM as they celebrate the birthday of this famous locomotive. 
 
Railway enthusiasts are being invited to STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway, to celebrate the 50th birthday of one of the town’s best-loved locomotives.

 

Evening Star returned home to Swindon in September 2008 and now takes pride of place on the recreated Station Platform at STEAM.

 

 

The Swindon Borough Council-owned museum is appealing to anyone who worked on Evening Star to get in touch to talk about their experiences at the birthday bash planned for Saturday, 13 March.

 

“It would be great if we could get in touch with those who remember working on Evening Star,” said Elaine Arthurs, collection officer at STEAM.

 

“We would like to invite them to our celebrations on 13 March so they can share their memories with each other and also with visitors.

 

 

“Plans so far for the birthday event include a focus on the famous Naming Ceremony for Evening Star, family fun activities, the chance to meet STEAM volunteers, many of whom worked on Evening Star, and to actually climb aboard the 50-year-old locomotive.”

 

Cllr Phil Young, Cabinet Member for Culture, Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “Evening Star is an important part of Swindon’s railway heritage and this celebration is a fitting way to mark its 50th birthday.

 

“We hope many people in the town will attend the event to share their memories of one of Swindon’s most famous locomotives.”

 

Evening Star was the last in a long line of steam locomotives built at the world famous Swindon Rail Works.

 

If you would like to take part in the celebrations for Evening Star’s 50th birthday, please contact Elaine Arthurs on 01793 466607 or you can email her at earthurs@swindon.gov.uk