Date: 6th April 2019 - 23rd December 2019

Time: 10:00 - 17:00

Location: STEAM Museum, Fire Fly Avenue

In May 1904, the Swindon-built City of Truro locomotive achieved a world record speed of 100mph. Speed was the fascination of the 20th Century and a speeding locomotive epitomised both prestige and glamour. The GWR rebuilt, refined and remodelled locomotives focusing on strength, power and speed. By the 1920s and 1930s these express locomotives became iconic symbols of the GWR.

STEAM’s new special exhibition explores the GWR’s race to become the fastest railway in the World and how advances in design and technology have changed since City of Truro became the first train to travel at 100mph 115 years ago!

A collection of fascinating objects and archive material from the STEAM collection are used to illustrate this story, including the famous Cheltenham Flyer headboard.

This exhibition complements our other new special exhibition Time on Trial, which takes a look at the exhilarating speed trials that took place between the GWR and other railway companies between 1910 and 1948. 

Cost: Included with standard STEAM admission, special event admission and is free for STEAM season ticket holders.