Images Dated 27th October 2003

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

Artificial hip joint

Prosthetic hip. View of a prosthetic (artificial) hip joint. The metal shaft (black) ends in a ball (silver) embedded in a plastic socket. Prosthetic hip joints are used to replace diseased hip joints that have become stiff and painful as a result of arthritis or injury. In a hip replacement, the "ball" at the end of the thigh bone is removed and the "socket" in the pelvis is enlarged. The artificial components are then cemented in their place, the shaft fitting into a specially made hollow inside the thigh bone. Hip replacement is a successful operation that has transformed many lives, but the long-term outlook is uncertain as the artificial joint may loosen with time

© TEK IMAGE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Four crew members enjoying a break, 1950

Four crew members of an engineer's train enjoy a break near Glenfinnan on the West Highland extension line between Fort William and Mallaig, 13 August 1950. The locomotive in the background is a class K2 2-6-0 No 61786 built by the London and North Eastern Railway for use on the West Highland lines where its power was needed on the difficult gradients. The steam crane is being used to unload concrete drainage pipes. The bicycle belongs to the photographer, Reverend Arthur Cawston, who was taking a cycling holiday

© National Railway Museum / Science & Society Picture Libr