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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection

The GWR during the First and Second World Wars

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78 Photographic Prints

The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: First World War

First World War Collection
26 Photographic Prints

The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: Second World War

Second World War Collection
137 Photographic Prints

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: American Flag flying from Paddington Station hotel on July 4th 1941

American Flag flying from Paddington Station hotel on July 4th 1941
This image shows the American Flag flying from the front of the hotel at Paddington Station on July 4th, American Independence Day, 1941

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: Production line for wartime shells in No. 24 Shop, Swindon Works, 1942

Production line for wartime shells in No. 24 Shop, Swindon Works, 1942
No.24 Shop, on the Carriage and Wagon side of Swindon Works was fitted out with two production lines for 25-pounder shells

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: Naval guns at Swindon Works, alongside Star Class locomotive

Naval guns at Swindon Works, alongside Star Class locomotive
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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: Military tanks loaded onto Crocodile G wagons, c. 1939

Military tanks loaded onto Crocodile G wagons, c. 1939
A train load of military tanks, loaded onto Crocodile G wagons, make their way through Acton, en-route to the Channel Ports, for shipment over seas

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: 0-6-0 Dean Goods locomotives No s

0-6-0 Dean Goods locomotives No s
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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: Siphon G Wagon converted to ward car No. 3209 in 1943

Siphon G Wagon converted to ward car No. 3209 in 1943
By the spring of 1940 Britains railway companies had supplied 25 ambulance trains for use both at home and abroad

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: Evacuees waiting outside the departure platform at Paddington in 1939

Evacuees waiting outside the departure platform at Paddington in 1939
One of the very first war time roles that the GWR was engaged in was the evacuation of children from cities to the relative safety of the countryside

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: The 13th Battalion Home Guard at a rifle shoot at Liddington, c. 1942

The 13th Battalion Home Guard at a rifle shoot at Liddington, c. 1942
The 13th Battalion Home Guard at a rifle shoot on the chalk ridge at Liddington, near Swindon

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: Swindon Home Guard manning an anti-aircraft gun platform, c. 1940

Swindon Home Guard manning an anti-aircraft gun platform, c. 1940
Swindon Works was considered a prime target for aircraft strikes during World War II

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: Air raid damage to the gas holder at Swindon Works, 1942

Air raid damage to the gas holder at Swindon Works, 1942
Swindon Works following the air raid on 27th July 1942. The gas holder at the gas works is pock-marked by machine gun fire from a lone aircraft that had swooped over the town early in the morning

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: Air raid shelter at West Ealing Goods Yard, 1940

Air raid shelter at West Ealing Goods Yard, 1940
A rather intriguing photo here of West Ealing Goods Yard, taken in 1940

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: Tanks under construction in A Erecting Shop, Swindon Works. 1941

Tanks under construction in A Erecting Shop, Swindon Works. 1941
One of the earliest tasks contracted to the GWR by the Ministry of Supply was the erection of tanks for supply overseas

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: No. 24F shop, Swindon Works, undergoing war time alterations in 1941

No. 24F shop, Swindon Works, undergoing war time alterations in 1941
This image, taken in September 1941, shows the alterations taking place in 24F Shop to accommodate the new shell production for the Ministry of Supply

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: Brake Third coach No. 3307 converted into a mobile cleansing unit, 1941

Brake Third coach No. 3307 converted into a mobile cleansing unit, 1941
The fear of gas attack was of paramount concern during World War II, as demonstrated by the mass issuing of gas masks prior to the outbreak of war in 1939

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: Chevrolet Thornton military trucks lined up at Caerphilly Works, 1941

Chevrolet Thornton military trucks lined up at Caerphilly Works, 1941
This image taken in April 1941 shows five Chevrolet Thornton military trucks lined up outside the GWRs works at Caerphilly. These trucks were imported from the USA and arrived unassembled in crates

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: Railway carriage converted to an ambulance ward car, c1939

Railway carriage converted to an ambulance ward car, c1939
This internal view of an ambulance ward car gives a clear image of both the ingenuity used in converting rolling stock for medical use, but also the cramped conditions endured within these vehicles

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: A corridor brake composite carriage converted into a rail mobile emergency canteen, 1941

A corridor brake composite carriage converted into a rail mobile emergency canteen, 1941
In November 1941 this 56 feet corridor brake composite carriage was converted at Swindon Works into a rail mobile emergency canteen

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: A paper recycling cart outside the General Stores at Swindon Works, 1941

A paper recycling cart outside the General Stores at Swindon Works, 1941
A paper recycling cart outside the General Stores at Swindon Works in 1941. Bound bundles of paperwork and ledgers can be seen piled on the cart ready to be taken away to be pulped

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: Bomb damage to the GWRs salvage warehouse in London, 1940

Bomb damage to the GWRs salvage warehouse in London, 1940
In a cruel twist of fate, this image from the 15th November 1940 shows bomb damage to the GWRs salvage warehouse at Park Royal in north-west London

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: GWRs Home Guard battalions on parade at Castle Bar Park in London, c. 1940

GWRs Home Guard battalions on parade at Castle Bar Park in London, c. 1940
The Home Guard was originally known as the Local Defence Volunteers (LDV). The LDV was formed in May 1940, but in August 1940 the LDV changed its name to the Home Guard

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: Standing down parade of 13th Battalion Home Guard, Swindon Works, 1944

Standing down parade of 13th Battalion Home Guard, Swindon Works, 1944
By the end of 1944 the threat of invasion from Germany became unlikely and it was decided that the Home Guard could be stood down

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: Presentation of the Wiltshire Home Guard in 1944

Presentation of the Wiltshire Home Guard in 1944
This photograph shows the presentation of an award to Home Guard member Mr C Wheeler in April 1944

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: Saint Class locomotive, 2947 Madresfield Court with gun fire damage, c. 1940

Saint Class locomotive, 2947 Madresfield Court with gun fire damage, c. 1940
This photograph of Saint Class locomotive, Madresfield Court, shows damage to the cab after it came under aircraft machine gun fire at Yarnbrook, near Westbury

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: GWR fire brigade at Paddington Station taking part in a drill, c. 1940

GWR fire brigade at Paddington Station taking part in a drill, c. 1940
This image shows members of the GWR fire brigade at Paddington Station taking part in a drill. Training was an important part of fire fighting and kept employees prepared in case of an emergency

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: Anti-aircraft platform at Swindon Station c. 1940

Anti-aircraft platform at Swindon Station c. 1940
An anti-aircraft platform can be seen in this image of Swindon Station, but what is most intriguing is the very small Swindon Junction sign hanging in the centre of the platform canopy

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: Wartime shells being packed up in 24F shop, ready for transportation in 1942

Wartime shells being packed up in 24F shop, ready for transportation in 1942
By 1943 the majority of Allied munitions production was undertaken by America and Canada. This eased the pressure on British workshops as there had become a serious shortage of materials

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The Railway at War Photographic Print 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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: Norton Fitzwarren train crash, 1940

Norton Fitzwarren train crash, 1940
On the night of November 4th 1940 locomotive No. 6028 King George VI left Paddington Station hauling thirteen coaches heading for Penzance

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: Norton Fitzwarren train crash in 1940

Norton Fitzwarren train crash in 1940
On the night of November 4th 1940 locomotive No. 6028 King George VI left Paddington Station hauling thirteen coaches heading for Penzance

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: Dean Goods locomotive No. 2533 in War Department livery, 1939

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

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: Passengers at Paddington Station in 1943

Passengers at Paddington Station in 1943
A busy view of Paddington Station from August Bank Holiday 1943. The scene looks relatively dark, with only a few beams of sunlight coming through the roof

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The Railway at War Photographic Print Collection: GWR Salvage Corps leaflet, 1940

GWR Salvage Corps leaflet, 1940
During the war the GWR were committed to salvaging paper and other material. In August 1940 General Manager, James Milne, invited employees to join the GWR Salvage Corp

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