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WW2 steam train built by women takes to the tracks again after restoration
As at 19th March 2025 21:07 GMT
 
WW2 steam train built by women takes to the tracks again after restoration
Posted by CyclingSid at 18:42, 19th March 2025
 
Sounds like another reason to visit the Watercress Line
https://www.forcesnews.com/heritage/wwii/iconic-ww2-steam-train-built-women-takes-tracks-once-more
Not many ladies obvious in the restoration team.

Re: WW2 steam train built by women takes to the tracks again after restoration
Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:21, 19th March 2025
 
To be fair, CyclingSid, in the detail of that article, it is made clear that the Watercress Line are making efforts to trace the women who built 'Canadian Pacific':

A search for the women of Canadian Pacific

Throughout the Second World War, while men were deployed, many women stepped into vital roles across the UK.

Initially, only single women aged 20 to 30 were called up but by mid-1943, nearly 90% of single women and 80% of married women were working in places such as factories, on farms or in the Armed Forces.

Women at Eastleigh Works were employed in various departments, such as machine shops, forges and sawmills.

They played a crucial role in supporting the war effort by building Merchant Navy Class locomotives, including the Canadian Pacific.

In the early stages of researching the history surrounding the iconic locomotive, project leader Dr Becky Peacock collected various stories and memories about Canadian Pacific, including those of Mr Asprey whose father was the foreman of the machine shop at the time that Canadian Pacific was built.

By 1940, he was the only man working in the machine shop.

 
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