Regular contributor, Rob Coles, was quite right in identifying yesterday’s Pic of the Day mystery object.
He writes: “Your Pic of the Day photo was of the Swindon Railway works hooters, you probably were visiting the Designer Outlet. I visited when they still made locomotives. I took the attached photo in Swindon works a lifetime ago.”
Yes, the hooters remain on the roof of part of the town’s railway factory complex – now remodeled as the Great Western Designer Outlet Village.
It was sounded every day until the Works closed in March 1986 – to remind GWR employees and their Swindon families of the time. For over one hundred years the steam whistle called thousands of workmen to their labours.
Meanwhile, Rob writes: “Seeing a steam locomotive passing through Bath yesterday (photo attached) I was reminded to tell you that the steam hauled Belmond British Pullman will be stopping in Bath tomorrow, Wednesday, 12.14 and 16.53.
With a fare of £614 per passenger, it is probably the most expensive train to come to Bath. I wish the city would officially welcome the passengers with tourist info etc. They might want to come again, a marketing opportunity missed.”
Hopefully, Bath BID’s ‘welcome ambassadors’ manage to say ‘hello’ to some of those getting off that luxury train.
