SWINDON'S STEAM museum is planning a big celebration to mark the 100th anniversary of the Great Western Railway Castle Class locomotives. 

It will be putting on two new photographic exhibitions by renowned photographer, Jack Boskett.

The first exhibition - 100 Years and Still Steaming - will showcase an array of stunning scenes with Castle Class locomotives working on heritage railway lines at the forefront.

Swindon Museums' Collections and Exhibitions Manager, John Wood, said: “2023 marks one hundred years since the first of the Castle locomotives, No. 4073 Caerphilly Castle, went into service and we are delighted to be marking the occasion in collaboration with Jack Boskett."

Between 1923 and 1950, 171 Castle Class locomotives (including 16 rebuilds) were built at Swindon railway works.

He added: “Castle Class locomotives were remarkable engines from the outset. At the British Empire Exhibition in 1925, the GWR and The London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) held trials between the two locomotive types, which the Castle Class locomotive won."

The second exhibition, entitled From Railways to Royalty will take visitors on a journey through the lens of Jack Boskett in his 13 years as a professional photographer.

His varied photographic career has led him to photograph railways, royalty and many subjects in between. 

Jack said: “When STEAM approached me to exhibit my work at the museum to kick off the summer season, I was very humbled and excited.

"To have my photographs at this historic location of the former Great Western Railway is such an honour. As a keen railway photographer and engineman on heritage railways, I will feel at home.

“I have spent a lot of time hand-picking my photographs for this exhibition which coincides nicely with the celebratory Coronation of King Charles III in May and also the 100th anniversary of the GWR Castle Class locomotives in August."

The combined exhibitions will feature 150 of Jack’s most impressive pieces of work, mounted in frames and canvas prints. Visitors can see 100 Years and Still Steaming and From Railways to Royalty on display in STEAM’s Caerphilly Castle Hall between Saturday, April 29 and Monday, September 10.

On Saturday, August 12, visitors are invited to meet Jack in person at STEAM and find out more about his work.

Admission to both special exhibitions is included with STEAM admission and free to STEAM Season Ticket holders.

Visitors can find out more and book their tickets online through the STEAM website: www.steam-museum.org.uk