Swindon's historic hooters to mark 40th anniversary of Railway Works closure

A replica hooter will be sounded at 4.30pm on 26 March 2026 at STEAM Museum to mark 40 years since Swindon Railway Works closed, and a week of exhibitions, screenings and talks will run around the anniversary.

Swindon's historic hooter is set to sound again to mark the 40th anniversary of the Railway Works closure. The Works shut on 26 March 1986, when the hooter rang for the final time. Ron Johnson, who sounded that last hooter aged 35, will return at 75 to blow a replica hooter on 26 March 2026 at 4.30pm at STEAM Museum. The replica was built by Colin Hatch in 2016 and will be powered by steam from a traction engine boiler. Known details: - Swindon Railway Works closed on 26 March 1986 and the hooter sounded for the final time that day. - Ron Johnson, who sounded the hooter in 1986 at age 35, will sound a replica hooter at 4.30pm on Thursday 26 March 2026. - The replica hooter was built by Colin Hatch in 2016 and will be powered by steam from a traction engine boiler. - STEAM Museum in Swindon will be the base for the commemorations and is hosting several events. - Events include a pop-up exhibition on Tuesday 24 March, a rolling slideshow at Swindon Borough Council's museum through 29 March, and a "Breakfast for the Railway Workers" on 26 March. - Other planned activities are the opening of The Last Blast exhibition on 26 March, a screening of the 1986 film "Railway Town" on 27 March, and talks with local authors and historians at STEAM on 28 March. Summary: The commemorations are focused at STEAM Museum and will include the sounding of the replica hooter alongside exhibitions, a film screening and a series of talks across the final week of March. Former employees are expected to attend from around the UK, and The Last Blast exhibition will remain on display until 1 March 2027.