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Locomotive 4096, Highclere Castle with its wartime black out screen, c. 1940
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Locomotive 4096, Highclere Castle with its wartime black out screen, c. 1940
A train speeding through the countryside at night was a prime target for the German Luftwaffe. The glow from the locomotive firebox and light from the carriages made a train all too visible to the enemy. One of the blackout measures introduced by the GWR was the anti-glare screen. This image of Castle Class locomotive, Highclere Castle, shows an anti-glare screen attached to the cab roof and tender. During daylight the screen could be rolled back and, should an air raid be called, it could be quickly pulled back over the cab. This screen only covered the roof of the cab, but some screens covered the sides too
STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway
Media ID 19929910
Castle Locomotive World War 2 Blackout Highclere Tender
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print from the STEAM Museum of the GWR takes us back to the dark days of World War II. Locomotive 4096, Highclere Castle, stands proudly in all its glory, adorned with a remarkable wartime feature - an anti-glare screen. As night falls and danger looms overhead, this train hurtles through the countryside under cover of darkness. In those perilous times, German Luftwaffe targeted trains as they sped across the land. The glow emanating from locomotive fireboxes and carriage lights made them easy prey for enemy aircraft. To counter this vulnerability, Great Western Railway (GWR) introduced blackout measures such as these anti-glare screens. The image showcases Highclere Castle's cab roof and tender fitted with one such screen. During daylight hours, it could be conveniently rolled back to allow natural light into the cabin. However, at a moment's notice during an air raid warning, it could swiftly be pulled over the cab to shield against prying eyes above. While this particular screen only covered the roof of the cab, some were extended to protect even more vulnerable areas on the sides too. These ingenious adaptations played a crucial role in safeguarding both passengers and vital supplies transported by rail during wartime. Through this evocative photograph print capturing history in motion, we are reminded of how innovation was employed amidst adversity to ensure our railways remained operational while minimizing risk from aerial attacks during World War II.
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