People Gallery

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