16mm film, original master ‘Air Raid Precaution, repairing permanent way (end)’

16mm original film, colour footage edited with splices, descriptive captions and explanatory drawings. 700 feet on 800 feet plastic canister (approximately 20 minutes). Last part (end reel) according captions.

Protective measures for lunchbreak, keeping working without respirators when vapour concentration has reduced, and how everything is sorted once the job is completed, how tools are cleaned, what safety measures to follow and how the site is left behind when the train leaves. Captions: 1. Sections continue to work and rest alternately till it is time for a meal. 2. Hoods and respirators are removed as before. 3. Instead of entering the rest hut, the men pass on to the A.R.P Unit for the removal of their gloves, jackets, boots and leggings. 4. The contaminated oilskin clothing is hung on the numbered rails on the side of the coach, while the boots and gloves are placed alongside the numbered pegs. 5. The men now pass into the Unit, collect their civilian boots, wash and have their meal. 6. At the end of the mealtime the men, in their respective shifts, hand back their civilian boots, are re-dressed, and return to work. 7. From time to time during the day, the G.S.O tests the vapour concentration. 8. The time has now arrived when he decides that the vapour concentration is sufficiently reduced for the next shift to return to work without respirators. 9. The job finished, the section then working, clear all the tools and equipment from the site for decontamination. 10. One man removes his gloves and prepares swabs of cotton waste dipped in paraffin and wrung almost dry. 11. Tools are decontaminated - metal parts being wiped with the paraffin swabs (changed frequently) - and wooden parts brushed with bleach cream. 12. Contaminated swabs are collected together and burned. 13. In the meantime the remainder of the working sections have their protective clothing removed and enter the train for the journey home. 14. The Utility section sorts out the contaminated clothing, packs it into bins and loads these into the wagon provided for the purpose. 15. They then re-load all the equipment ready for the return journey. 16. The train, re-marshalled departs for home, leaving behind a notice warning others of the danger which still exists. 17. The End

Part of a collection of Air Raid Precaution instructional films and footage made by the London Midland and Scottish Railways during World War 2, retained by British Rail Research Laboratories, Derby, alongside British Rail Research own production of technical films. This ARP collection includes edited original films and offcuts.