Wolverton, the country’s first ‘new railway town’, was established by the London and Birmingham Railway Company in 1838. Despite the steam revolution, trains only had a range of fifty miles. Wolverton was the perfect location for locomotives to take on coal and water in order to continue their journey.

Soon, a station with train building workshops developed where the first national trains were designed, built and maintained. Railway workers arrived. The population of Wolverton grew.

In 1885 the Railway Company created Wolverton Park for its employees to encourage them to keep fit and take part in sporting activities. The Park boasted a velodrome, bowling green and athletics stadium.

In 1889 an imposing carriage-lifting workshop was constructed. The landmark brick building, with its soaring roofline and bold industrial design, ultimately became home to The Royal Train – a role retained until 1991. With the development of Wolverton Park, careful conversion and conservation saw the sheds start a new life once again, this time as the Royal homes.