Title:RAILWAY BRIDGE REPAIRS IN SOUTH LONDON [Allocated Title]
Film Number:BTF 27
Other titles:RAILWAYS IN BRITAIN, 1935-1976 [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: A large metal girder is being installed onto a railway bridge in Southwark, South London. “General Martel” (Lieutenant-General Sir Giffard Le Quesne Martel) inspects the Home Guard at Eastleigh Works, and an experimental bridgelayer tank is tested.
Description: (20 April 1942) The installation of a 115ft (53-ton) metal girder at Southwark Steet Bridge, South London. Two ‘Rapier’ rail mounted cranes are used to support the girder, which is secured on two flat railway wagons. The girder is lowered into position; “ELEPHANT & CASTLE END”, is printed onto one of the ends. Freight wagons continue to go past on the adjacent tacks as the girder is secured into position. The final part of the sequence are from the road level perspective. MH186 & MH196B
(20 April 1942) Shots from earlier in the sequence; show the girder being transported via rail, supported between the two flat railway wagons. (2 min 48 sec) MH186A
(27 April 1942) General Martel (Lieutenant-General Sir Giffard Le Quesne Martel) inspecting the Home Guard at Eastleigh Works, Hampshire. The General is introduced to dignitaries before inspecting 'unit 21' of the Hampshire and the Isle of White Home Guard. A march past led by a Home Guard band follows. (4 min 15 sec) MH187
(27 April 1942) Bridgelayer tanks, built at Eastleigh Works, launching and tests. At an unknown countryside location, an experimental type of tank is shown lowering a mechanical bridge. The test demonstrates the tank's ability to extend the bridge out in front, and then fold it back in. The tank is also shown carrying out manoeuvres whilst carrying the full load of the bridge above the chassis. (5 min 30 sec) MH188
Alternative Title:RAILWAYS IN BRITAIN, 1935-1976 [Allocated Series Title]
