Title:A MILITARY DEMONSTRATION OF A NEW TYPE OF RAILWAY WAGON [Allocated Title]
Film Number:BTF 47
Other titles:RAILWAYS IN BRITAIN, 1935-1976 [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: A new type of railway wagon, or “ramp truck”, is demonstrated by the American military for proposed use on the Southern Railway network. Other material includes; various Royal Navy vessels in dock at Newhaven, and a sequence showing the process of restoring damaged railway track to working order at Maldon Manor.
Description: (8 March 1944) Bomb damaged railway sidings at Wimbledon, South London, focusing on a crane lifting a “box truck” railway wagon off the tracks. A new reel starts at 27 seconds, with an American military demonstration for Southern Railway inspectors, at Horley in Surry. A Sherman tank (M4A1 Medium Tank?) is being unloaded from a “ramp truck” (a ramped railway wagon designed for unloading vehicles without the use of a loading bay). Two men stand either side rotating a lever to lower the ramp onto the tracks. Various service personnel and railway workers crowd around to watch the demonstration. A pile of railway sleepers are used to bolster the end of the ramp. The tank is able to navigate the ramp and manoeuvre onto the tracks. SH307
(15 March 1944) Royal Navy vessels moored at Newhaven, the South coast of England. (1 min 28 sec) SH308
(17 March 1944) Royal Navy, Motor Gunboats (?), moored together by the “Marine Shop” at Newhaven. Royal Navy personnel can be seen on-board. Six workers are required dockside to manoeuvre a torpedo on a two wheeled trolley. A Landing Craft Tactical Support (LCTS) vessel, cruises past with Navy personnel lined-up across the deck. A new reel starts at 3 minutes 35; with Royal Navy Motor Torpedo Boats (MTBs) in dock, followed by Royal Navy personnel helping to get torpedoes lifted onto the docked vessels. The comparatively large “FY.PT III.” (Mine Sweeper) then comes into harbour. (2 min 33 sec) SH309
(25 March 1944) Repair work in progress at a bomb damaged railway line near Maldon Manor, Surry. A crater, directly beneath the tracks, is being filled by with earth, shovelled out of railway wagons on the adjacent line. Sections of track are also being lifted into place, requiring several workers at once. Once in position the track sections are clamped together and then bolted into place. (5 min 43 sec) SH310-311
(28 March 1944) The final shot in the sequence shows an electric locomotive passing over the repaired section of track, near Maldon Manor. (9 min 55 sec) SH312
Alternative Title:RAILWAYS IN BRITAIN, 1935-1976 [Allocated Series Title]
