Home > STEAM Museum of the GWR > The Railway at War > Second World War
Bailey Bridges, No. 2 Shop, 1942
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from STEAM Museum
Bailey Bridges, No. 2 Shop, 1942
This Official image taken in April 1942 shows timber components for Bailey Bridges under manufacture in No.2 Shop, the Sawmill, at Swindon Works. In the book It Can Now Be Revealed it is documented that the GWR made 27, 157 timber components and 13, 700 packing timbers as well as other parts for Bailey Bridges. The Bailey bridge was developed by Donald Bailey who worked for the British War Office. They were portable, pre fabricated structures that were used extensively during the war and were strong enough even to carry a tank. As this image shows, the parts for a Bailey bridge were simple, but they had to be precisely manufactured in order to fit together correctly and an essential test for the manufacturers, including Swindon Works, was to assemble a bridge in the workshops to ensure this was the case
STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway
Media ID 19869749
1940s Swindon Swindon Works 1942 Manufacture
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print from 1942 takes us back to the heart of wartime production at Bailey Bridges' No. 2 Shop in Swindon Works. The image showcases the meticulous craftsmanship that went into manufacturing timber components for these iconic bridges, which played a crucial role during World War II. As documented in the book "It Can Now Be Revealed" the Great Western Railway (GWR) took on the monumental task of producing 27,157 timber components and 13,700 packing timbers for Bailey Bridges. These portable structures, invented by Donald Bailey of the British War Office, were ingeniously designed to be prefabricated and easily transported to various locations across war-torn Europe. The simplicity of each component belies its importance in ensuring a seamless fit when assembled together. Precision was paramount as these bridges needed to withstand immense weight, even capable of supporting tanks. To guarantee their reliability, manufacturers like Swindon Works conducted essential tests by assembling complete bridges within their workshops. This official image provides a glimpse into the dedication and skill required to meet wartime demands. It serves as a testament not only to the engineering prowess of those involved but also highlights how industries adapted during times of conflict. Today, this photograph stands as an enduring tribute to all those who contributed their expertise and labor towards building vital infrastructure that aided military operations throughout World War II.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
FREE COLORIZATION SERVICE
You can choose advanced AI Colorization for this picture at no extra charge!
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
