From branch lines to tram lines
A one-day conference highlighting the industrial heritage of Wiltshire
Programme:
9.30 am – Registration
10 am – Welcome by Mike Stone Chairman of the Industrial Archaeology Committee at Wiltshire Museum.
10.05 am – The Calne branch and its industries, by Mike Stone. Mike was curator of Chippenham Museum and regularly lectures on a wide range of subjects.
10.50 am – Coffee
11.10 am – History of the Midland South Western Junction Railway, by Nick Baxter MA in Public History. Nick is a retired secondary school history teacher. He gives history talks and guided walks as part of his ‘Wiltshire History Man’ business.
12 noon – The Wantage tramway, by Dr Richard Marks, historian. ‘Industry Past’.
12.50 pm – LUNCH BREAK.
Lunch is not provided, please bring your own, or there are numerous bars and cafes in the Market Place, just a short walk from the Town Hall.
2.15 pm – A compendium of delights relating to the Malmesbury Branch, by Mike Fenton, railway historian.
3 pm – Tea
3.25 pm – The railway, locomotives and history 1916-1919 of the H.M.E.F. Stratton, Swindon: Ammonium Nitrate Explosive Works, research by Colin Judge of the Industrial Railway Society. Presented by Malcolm Holland, local historian.
4.30 pm – Conference ends
Tickets: £18.50 (£16 WANHS members). Lunch not included.
Booking essential.
More details and booking: https://www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/news-articles/event/conference-industrial-archaeology-2026-from-branch-lines-to-tram-lines/?event_date=2026-10-24