Title:THE FINAL STAGES OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES BEING CONVERTED FOR USE AS AMBULANCE TRAINS [Allocated Title]
Film Number:BTF 76
Other titles:RAILWAYS IN BRITAIN, 1935-1976 [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: The final stages of work being undertaken to convert railway carriages for use as ambulance trains, and artillery weapons being taken out of storage near Portsmouth. The film begins with a record of experiments carried out to aid the electrification of Southern Railway services.
Description: (3 March 1940) Experimental work for the Southern Railway “Electrical Department”. Shots are taken at track level (a third of the picture is obscured) showing a locomotive coming on and off contact with an electrified ‘third rail’. CH18-20
(5 March 1940) A workman paints a red cross onto an ambulance train carriage, which is then hauled out of depot by a Southern ‘SER Q’ class 0-4-4 (?)locomotive (No.231). New bunks are then passed into one of the new ambulance train carriages, fitted for carrying wounded service personnel. Inside the carriage bunks, specifically designed to clip into place or be folded-up, are being fitted. (3 min 46 sec) CH21-22
(16 March 1940) A gun carriage is being loaded by crane onto a “macaw” railway wagon at a yard in Hilsea, near Portsmouth (Technical: underexposed). Several guns, presumably First World War British 9.2 Howitzers, have already been loaded onto a row of wagons and are set for departure. (8 min 03 sec) CH23-24
Alternative Title:RAILWAYS IN BRITAIN, 1935-1976 [Allocated Series Title]
