Title:BOMB DAMAGED RAILWAY LINES AT WIMBLEDON [Allocated Title]
Film Number:BTF 46
Other titles:RAILWAYS IN BRITAIN, 1935-1976 [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: A clear-up operation underway to repair bomb damaged railway lines at Wimbledon, in South London. Workmen and cranes are used to clear the tracks in order to begin the process of returning the line to operational order. This is followed by an American locomotive leaving Haywards Heath, and a section from the “Whale Project” (possibly a Mulberry harbour section) being loaded onto railway wagons.
Description: (19 - 21 February 1944) Bomb damaged railway sidings (a low-speed track section) at Wimbledon, South London. Cranes are arched over a smouldering crator as they try to lift out some of the severely damaged railway wagons. A panoramic shot of the bomb site emphasises the devastation, as workmen begin to clear some of the debris. The remains of several more railway carriages are being lifted off the tracks by railway crane. SH303
(22 February 1944) An American Red Cross train, two coupled Southern 4-4-0 locomotives (No. 2070 & 2052), leaving Haywards Heath Station (Mid Sussex) en route from Lancing (West Sussex) to Eardley Sidings (South London). Cuts back to clearing work being undertaken at the Wimbledon bomb site. (6 min 21 sec) SH305
(27 February 1944) “Nine Elms” loading “Whale Project” sections (37-tons) onto railway wagons, each 60ft in length. Overhead cranes lift the “Whale Project” sections off long wheelbase lorries and onto flat railway wagons. “DOPMAN LONG & CO. LTD.” is stencilled onto the sides. (8 min 27 sec) SH306
Alternative Title:RAILWAYS IN BRITAIN, 1935-1976 [Allocated Series Title]
