THE RAILWAYS

When the railway from London to Birmingham was completed in the 1840s, the railway company was looking for a location at the half way point to build its engine and carriage manufacturing and repair works. It chose Wolverton, at that time a small and relatively insignificant village in the north of Buckinghamshire.

In addition to being more or less half way along the new railway, the point chosen for the new Works was also the place where the Grand Union Canal crossed the railway line. This had some advantages in the early days because raw materials such as coal and iron needed at the Works (for construction of the buildings and later for the railway machines themselves) were still carried by canal narrowboat.

WHAT'S ON DISPLAY

The special room setting includes:

• furniture from the Works Boardroom
• items such as munitions made during World War Two
• ceremonial artefacts associated with the railway, its directors and the town
• medals awarded by the railway company and the Sciences and Arts Institute
• models showing important technical developments for carriage braking and control
• photographs and prints of Wolverton Works employees

Additional exhibits associated with Wolverton Works can be found elsewhere in the Museum, especially the Hall of Transport.

STILL WORKING

Wolverton remains a railway works, refurbishing and maintaining carriages for use throughout Britain's railway network. 

The Works is still the home of the Royal Trains used by HM The Queen and other members of the Royal Family for travelling to and from special events.

A number of carriages made at Wolverton can be seen in the National Railway Museum in York, England.

The Museum's archives also contain information about people employed at the Works over the years and some and some health and safety reports. See our Research Facilities page for more details.