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V shop, c1930
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from STEAM Museum
V shop, c1930
Rivetting a firebox
STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway
Media ID 464482
© STEAM Picture Library 2007 - All Rights Reserved
Boiler Swindon Swindon Works Boilermaker Rivet
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative photograph from the Steam Museum of the Great Western Railway (GWR), we witness a scene from V Shop at Swindon Works in the early 1930s. The title of this image, "Riveting a Firebox," offers a glimpse into the intricate and labor-intensive process of maintaining and constructing the heart of a steam locomotive - its firebox. The firebox is a critical component of a steam engine, housing the fire that generates the heat required to produce steam. In this image, a skilled boilermaker, dressed in protective gear, meticulously hammers in a rivet to secure the firebox plates. The firebox plates are typically made of thick, heat-resistant materials like nickel-steel or copper, and the rivets used to join them must be able to withstand the intense heat and pressure of the engine's operation. Swindon Works, the largest railway works in the world at the time, was the hub of GWR's engineering efforts. V Shop, specifically, was dedicated to the production and maintenance of fireboxes and other boiler components. The shop was renowned for its efficiency and high-quality workmanship, which contributed significantly to the success of the GWR's steam fleet. The photograph captures the raw power and precision of the industrial age, with the boilermaker's focused intensity contrasting against the sprawling, chaotic backdrop of the workshop. The rhythmic hammering of the rivet gun, the glowing embers of the firebox, and the hiss of escaping steam all serve as a reminder of the unyielding force of the steam engine and the tireless dedication of those who kept them running. This photograph is a testament to the ingenuity, skill, and determination of the engineers and craftsmen who brought the steam railway to life, and it stands as a vital piece of railway history that continues to inspire and captivate generations.
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