A nameplate which once adorned a 1930s-built Swindon locomotive will be displayed in the town’s railway museum thanks to the generosity of visitors and other benefactors.

The cast iron and brass nameplate belonged to the Great Western 7800 Manor Class locomotive Broome Manor and was bought by STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway, at auction this year.

The nameplate can now be seen by visitors and is on display in the main exhibition area of the Swindon Borough Council-owned museum in Kemble Drive.

Cllr Garry Perkins, Deputy Leader of Swindon Borough Council and the Cabinet Member responsible for museums, said: “We are very grateful to all the people who have made kind donations to STEAM’s Object Acquisition Fund, making this exciting purchase possible.

“These donations ensure that STEAM is able to continually refresh its collection of Great Western Railway artefacts for the benefit of the Swindon community, railway enthusiasts across the country and future generations.”

Individually numbered 7805, the steam locomotive Broome Manor was built at Swindon Works in March 1938 and the nameplate would have been cast in the Foundry on the Works site.

The Manor class of locomotives was named after manor houses around the country and the locomotive Broome Manor was named after the house of the same name in Swindon.

STEAM is open daily between 10am and 5pm. Admission costs £4.25 for children (3-16yrs and concessions), £6.40 for adults and £17.00 for a family ticket (two adults and two children). Under 3s go free. Swindoncard discounts are available.

More details can be found at the STEAM website at (www.swindon.gov.uk/steam)