In a winding machine for a continuously running thread, the thread is first guided to the traversing device via a head thread-guide. During the placing of the thread onto a new empty tube, the running thread is lifted out of the traversing device and is guided by two transfer thread-guides which guide the thread laterally outside the traversing stroke. An especially favourable position of the thread in relation to the catching slot made in the empty tube is achieved in that the head thread-guide is movable out of its position centrally above the winding device into the normal plane of the catching slot.
