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Patrolling the permanent way, Manningtree, Essex, May 1948

A ganger patrolling the permanent way, Manningtree, Essex, May 1948. Maintanence of the permanent way was essential for the safe running of the railway. The ganger checks the sleepers, the fastenings of the chairs holding the rails, the tightness of fishplates and the size of the gap between the rails. He carries a hammer for knocking in loose keys securing the rails in their chairs. Photographer Cyril Herbert was one of the few enthusiasts who produced studies of railwaymen. Herbert worked on the railway himself and took this photograph while on duty.

Coronation A4 Class steam locomotive crosses the Royal Border Bridge at Berwick-upon-Tweed

Coronation A4 Class steam locomotive crosses the Royal Border Bridge at Berwick-upon-Tweed, 1937. The Coronation is crossing the bridge (opened by Queen Victoria, 1850) hauled by 'Dominion of Canada' No 4489. This engine was presented with a Canadian railway type bell by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1938, and was mounted in front of the chimney. The train consists of the summer formation of four articulated pairs of coaches and observation car.

© Copyright National Railway Museum / Science & Society Picture Libr

A‘Mallard', London & North Eastern Railway locomotive no 4468, 1938

'Mallard' pulling a Friends of the National Railway Museum 10th anniversary special, 'The Scarborough Flyer', heading for Scarborough via the Harrogate-Leeds-York loop, 26 April 1987. The A4 Pacific class 'Mallard' was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley (1876-1941), the chief engineer of the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER). On Sunday 3 July 1938, the 4-6-2 locomotive reached a speed of 126 mph (203 kph) on a straight stretch of track between Grantham and Peterborough, achieving a new world speed record for steam locomotives which remains unbroken to this day.

© Copyright National Railway Museum / Science & Society Picture Libr