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Shunter in the wartime blackout, c. 1940
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Shunter in the wartime blackout, c. 1940
Blackouts were challenging times for some GWR employees, as this image of a shunter taken at Bristol shows. Limited lighting during an air raid posed a serious health and safety risk, especially in busy depots or marshalling yards. Even in daylight the task of coupling and uncoupling wagons was a dangerous job. But at night it was even worse and during a blackout it must have been a daunting experience, even for a skilled shunter. Shunters were required to use lamps that had shades attached. This meant they were less visible to aircraft during an air raid, but it also had a negative impact on their working visibility
STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway
Media ID 11697525
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print from the STEAM Museum of the GWR takes us back to a challenging time in history - the wartime blackout of 1940. In this image, we see a shunter at work in Bristol, facing the daunting task of navigating limited lighting during an air raid. The blackouts presented serious health and safety risks for GWR employees, particularly those working in busy depots or marshalling yards. Even in daylight, coupling and uncoupling wagons was already a perilous job. However, during the darkness of night and amidst a blackout, it must have been an even more treacherous experience for these skilled workers. To mitigate their visibility to aircrafts during air raids, shunters were required to use lamps with shades attached. While this measure aimed to protect them from potential harm above, it also had its drawbacks as it significantly impacted their own working visibility. This print serves as a poignant reminder of the brave individuals who continued their vital work on the railways despite such challenging circumstances. It offers us a glimpse into their daily struggles and highlights their unwavering commitment to keeping Britain moving forward during times of war
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