Steaming to Victory

The railway system during World War 2 was the lifeline of the nation replacing road transport and merchant shipping. The railways mobilised the troops transported the munitions evacuated the children from the cities and kept vital food supplies moving where other forms of transport failed. Railwaymen and women were so vital to the war effort that they were not allowed to join up - though many did so defying the ban and performing outstanding acts of heroism. Nearly 400 workers were killed at their posts and another 2400 injured in the line of duty. Another 3500 railwaymen and women died in action.