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The Railway at War Collection

The GWR during the First and Second World Wars

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78 items

The Railway at War Collection: First World War

First World War Collection
26 items

The Railway at War Collection: Second World War

Second World War Collection
136 items

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: SS St Julien as a hospital ship, at Newport Docks, c. 1940

SS St Julien as a hospital ship, at Newport Docks, c. 1940
This image shows SS St Julien at Newport Docks following her conversion into a hospital ship, as denoted by the red cross painted on the side of her hull

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Evacuees at Paddington Station in 1939

Evacuees at Paddington Station in 1939
This moving image of evacuees making their way along platform 4 at Paddington Station was also taken during the 4 day evacuation of London and other major cities in September 1939

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: U. S. 0-6-0T shunting tank engine No. 1940 in its black War Department livery, 1942

U. S. 0-6-0T shunting tank engine No. 1940 in its black War Department livery, 1942
This is an unusual inclusion in the photographic collection at STEAM, being an image of a U.S. 0-6-0T shunting tank engine which never actually worked the Great Western network

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: 16 inch naval gun loaded on a set of four POLLEN E wagons, 1944

16 inch naval gun loaded on a set of four POLLEN E wagons, 1944
This image shows a 16 inch naval gun being carried on a set of four POLLEN E wagons in March 1944. Built in the early 1900s

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Great Western Tender, No. W84, formerly No. 2641, 1941

Great Western Tender, No. W84, formerly No. 2641, 1941
Great Western Tender, No. W84 is featured in this official image taken in April 1941. Formerly No. 2641, this 4000 gallon engine tender was requisitioned by the Government for use with a fire

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Dean Goods locomotive No. 2533 in War Department black livery

Dean Goods locomotive No. 2533 in War Department black livery
This official photograph of a Dean Goods locomotive No. 2533 was taken at Swindon Works in October 1939 prior to its shipment overseas

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Mogul locomotive No. 8314 with bomb damage in 1941

Mogul locomotive No. 8314 with bomb damage in 1941
A 4300 Mogul locomotive, No. 8314, lies amongst the debris following an air raid in Weymouth on 17th January 1941. Star Class locomotive, Princess Charlotte

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Bomb damage to Bowden Hall locomotive at Keyham Station, 1941

Bomb damage to Bowden Hall locomotive at Keyham Station, 1941
This image was taken on 30th April 1941, the morning after an air raid at Keyham Station, Plymouth. It shows extensive damage to Hall Class locomotive, Bowden Hall

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Bomb damage to locomotives at Newton Abbot Station, 1940

Bomb damage to locomotives at Newton Abbot Station, 1940
On 20th August 1940 Newton Abbot Station was attacked by three German planes. This image shows the devastation that was caused by both bomb damage and extensive machine gun fire

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Air Raid notice, issued to passengers in 1940

Air Raid notice, issued to passengers in 1940
This notice was issued to passengers in August 1940 by the GWRs General Manager, James Milne. The safety of staff and passengers was of the utmost importance

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Macaw B railway wagon No. 84350 loaded with gun carriages at Swindon Works, c. 1915

Macaw B railway wagon No. 84350 loaded with gun carriages at Swindon Works, c. 1915
Macaw B railway wagon No. 84350 has been photographed here loaded with 2 gun carriages awaiting dispatch from Swindon Works

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: 8in. howitzer gun carriage on an Open B wagon at Swindon Works, c. 1914

8in. howitzer gun carriage on an Open B wagon at Swindon Works, c. 1914
This 8in. howitzer gun carriage was one of the first batch to be made at Swindon Works. It sits on an unfinished OPEN B wagon awaiting dispatch

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Naval guns at Swindon Works, alongside Star Class locomotive, no. 4013 Knight of St Patrick, c. 1915

Naval guns at Swindon Works, alongside Star Class locomotive, no. 4013 Knight of St Patrick, c. 1915
A view of four naval guns at Swindon works, positioned with Star Class locomotive, no. 4013 Knight of St Patrick on show on the turntable. This is very much a publicity photograph for the GWR

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Female employees at Swindon Works making lamps, c. 1940

Female employees at Swindon Works making lamps, c. 1940
A larger group of female employees have been photographed here engaged in the making of lamps at Swindon Works. The tin lamp bodies

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: USA S160 2-8-0 locomotive No. 1606 coupled to an ambulance train, 1942

USA S160 2-8-0 locomotive No. 1606 coupled to an ambulance train, 1942
Once the USA joined the war following the bombing of Pearl Harbour in December 1941 the GWR became involved in the provision of rolling stock for use by the American Army

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: American S160 Class 2-8-0 locomotive No. 1609 upon arrival at Newport Docks, 1942

American S160 Class 2-8-0 locomotive No. 1609 upon arrival at Newport Docks, 1942
From late 1942 American locomotives began to arrive at the Great Westerns South Wales Docks, having been shipped over from America to assist allied forces both in Britain and on the Continent

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Carriage No. 4329 from US General Dwight D. Eisenhowers Alive train in 1942

Carriage No. 4329 from US General Dwight D. Eisenhowers Alive train in 1942
One of the most important areas in which the GWR was asked to support both the war effort and the US army was in the provision of what was codenamed the Alive train which was to be used by the US

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: A 16 inch gun barrel loaded onto an eighteen wheel gun wagon in 1942

A 16 inch gun barrel loaded onto an eighteen wheel gun wagon in 1942
This photograph, taken at Old Oak Common on the 10th April 1942, shows a 16 inch gun barrel that has been loaded onto an eighteen wheel gun wagon ready for delivery

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: GWR lorry delivering paintings from the National Gallery to a slate mine in Wales in 1940

GWR lorry delivering paintings from the National Gallery to a slate mine in Wales in 1940
This photograph of a GWR lorry was taken around 1940. It shows the in delivery of historic and valuable paintings from the National Gallery in London to the disused Manod slate mine at Blaenau

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: A Sea Hurricane being loaded onto an armed merchant ship at Cardiff docks, c. 1941

A Sea Hurricane being loaded onto an armed merchant ship at Cardiff docks, c. 1941
As well as assisting in the transportation of military goods by rail the GWR also facilitated the war effort at their docks

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: 0-6-0 Dean Goods locomotives No s. 2479, 2576, 2425 and 2399 in the process of being scrapped, c

0-6-0 Dean Goods locomotives No s. 2479, 2576, 2425 and 2399 in the process of being scrapped, c. 1949
The sorry sight of four The sorry sight of four 0-6-0 Dean Goods locomotives, photographed in the late 1940 s, in the process of being scrapped. Identified as engine No s

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: 2-8-0 locomotives under construction in AE shop, 1943

2-8-0 locomotives under construction in AE shop, 1943
In this image, War Department 2-8-0 locomotives are shown under construction in AE shop at Swindon Works in May 1943. In order to meet the demand for locomotives for war work

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Van loaded with waste paper from the General Stores at Swindon Works, 1941

Van loaded with waste paper from the General Stores at Swindon Works, 1941
Paper salvage was introduced by the Government at the outbreak of war in 1939. It was designed to encourage the recycling of materials to aid the war effort

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Bomb damage to No. 24 shop at Swindon Works in 1942

Bomb damage to No. 24 shop at Swindon Works in 1942
Swindon Works should have been a prime target for the German Luftwaffe, but the Works remained relatively unscathed from any air raids on the town

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Air raid damage to goods wagons at Newton Abbot Station in 1940

Air raid damage to goods wagons at Newton Abbot Station in 1940
On 20th August 1940 Newton Abbot Station was attacked by three German planes. This images shows the devastation that was caused by both bomb damage and extensive machine gun fire

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Passengers at Paddington Station in 1943

Passengers at Paddington Station in 1943
This image, taken on Saturday 31st July 1943 (August Bank Holiday), shows hoards of passengers at Paddington Station. In 1939 the slogan " Is Your Journey Really Necessary" was introduced

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Bomb damage to Foxs Wood Tunnel, Bristol, 1941

Bomb damage to Foxs Wood Tunnel, Bristol, 1941
A rather forlorn looking carriage can be seen here at the entrance to No.2 Tunnel at Foxs Wood near Bristol in 1941. A bomb had hit the tunnel mouth and ricocheted into the carriage

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Signalman in operating signal levers during wartime, c. 1940

Signalman in operating signal levers during wartime, c. 1940
A signalman in his gas mask continues normal duties at this unknown signalbox. But what is interesting about this photograph is the strange looking metal cabinet with its door ajar stood in

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: A petrol trailer fire pump hauled by an ex-GWR Express Cartage van, 1940

A petrol trailer fire pump hauled by an ex-GWR Express Cartage van, 1940
Fire fighting by the GWR was a important job in the Second World War. Incendiary bombs (designed to start fires) were used extensively during the war

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Locomotive 4096, Highclere Castle with its wartime black out screen, c. 1940

Locomotive 4096, Highclere Castle with its wartime black out screen, c. 1940
A train speeding through the countryside at night was a prime target for the German Luftwaffe. The glow from the locomotive firebox

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Bomb Damage at Royal Oak near Paddington c. 1940

Bomb Damage at Royal Oak near Paddington c. 1940
Bomb damage to stations was inevitable after the sustained air attacks by the German Luftwaffe in late 1940 and early 1941

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Bomb damage to Paddington Station in 1941

Bomb damage to Paddington Station in 1941
A view of the departure side of Paddington Station following the explosion of a parachute mine on 17th April 1941. A gaping hole can be seen to the right of the image where the station offices were

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: GWR Wartime Emergency Headquarters in Berkshire, 1940

GWR Wartime Emergency Headquarters in Berkshire, 1940
A busy office scene pictured here in 1940. This office was part of the GWRs Emergency Headquarters located at Aldermaston, Berkshire

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Air Raid damage to Paddington Station, 1941

Air Raid damage to Paddington Station, 1941
A view of Paddington Station following the explosion of the parachute mine on the 17th April 1941. Showing the internal damage to the station, particularly to Platform 1

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Motor landing craft built by the GWR at Swindon Works, 1942

Motor landing craft built by the GWR at Swindon Works, 1942
In August 1941 the GWR began building the first of a large number of motor landing craft in the Carriage and Wagon shops at Swindon. No. 13, Wagon Frame Shop was where this work took place

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Matilda II tanks under construction at Swindon Work in 1941

Matilda II tanks under construction at Swindon Work in 1941
In September 1941, three Matilda II tanks were photographed leaving AE shop on Rectank wagons. The tanks are incomplete and are presumably ready to be transported elsewhere for final assembly

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: 0-6-0 tender locomotive Dean Goods No. 2430 in wartime livery, c. 1939

0-6-0 tender locomotive Dean Goods No. 2430 in wartime livery, c. 1939
0-6-0 tender locomotive Dean Goods No.2430 is pictured here in its wartime livery. The tender is painted with the WD for War Department and the engine bears its War Department number, 177

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Leatherwork for howitzers and 8 pdr guns, made at Swindon Works, c. 1915

Leatherwork for howitzers and 8 pdr guns, made at Swindon Works, c. 1915
This array of items shows the type of leatherwork that was undertaken at Swindon Works for both howitzers and 8 pdr guns, as requested by the Royal Arsenal

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: 6in. naval guns on display on Macaw B wagons at Swindon Works c. 1915

6in. naval guns on display on Macaw B wagons at Swindon Works c. 1915
6in. naval guns on display on Macaw B wagons at Swindon Works. The guns were sent in from elsewhere, but the manufacture of 40 large field carriages upon which the guns were mounted was a specialist

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Naval guns outside A Shop, Swindon Works c. 1915

Naval guns outside A Shop, Swindon Works c. 1915
Four 6in. naval guns are proudly displayed on the tracks outside of A Shop, with County Tank, No. 2232, in steam, just behind. The guns are mounted on carriages with limbers attached

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: No 18 Stamping Shop at Swindon Works in 1915

No 18 Stamping Shop at Swindon Works in 1915
A view of No. 18 Stamping Shop from March 1915, showing the reverse of a stationary boiler. At the bottom left of the image are sheets of metal ready to be heated in the gas furnaces just above

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Nordenfelt anti-aircraft gun in V Shop, Swindon Works c. 1915

Nordenfelt anti-aircraft gun in V Shop, Swindon Works c. 1915
This striking image shows a newly made 6 pdr Nordenfelt anti-aircraft gun complete with mounting platform and protective skirting

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Carriage and Wagon Stamping (No. 18) Shop in 1915

Carriage and Wagon Stamping (No. 18) Shop in 1915
This image of the Carriage and Wagon Stamping (No.18) Shop was taken in March 1915. Although no men are in shot, it shows the busy, dirty and hot nature of this workshop

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Swindon Works Polishing Shop in 1914

Swindon Works Polishing Shop in 1914
A photograph taken on 7th August 1914 of the Polishing Shop in the Carriage and Wagon Works. French polishing was a skilled trade

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: Presentation of a War Savings League Cup to members at Swindon Works, 1944

Presentation of a War Savings League Cup to members at Swindon Works, 1944
This photograph was taken on 20th April 1944 and shows Chief Mechanical Engineer, F.W. Hawksworth, presenting a War Savings League Cup to members at Swindon Works

Background imageThe Railway at War Collection: US soldiers embarking a ship in a GWR South Wales Dock, 1942

US soldiers embarking a ship in a GWR South Wales Dock, 1942
The GWR docks in South Wales became busy points for the arrival and departure of US troops from mid 1942 when the first American ship to arrive at the Companys docks berthed at Swansea on the 18th



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