| Looks like they are in the process of replacing a brake shoe. | "Adjusting" brake shoes/blocks? | I have no doubt these women were doing work of some sort. It is not easy to dress someone up and attain what seems to be an authentic look of clothing and grime. The new photo is again in my opinion staged. However, the work being carried out appears to be changing of brake blocks, something that is relatively easily done (made easy because it had to happen on a regular basis, not because they were Women). However, the staging side of things seems to be rearing its head because it would be unlikely that a person would have to be under the carriage to carry out this work, also, it was usually done on a raised section of rail to make changing of the brake blocks easier and safer. Brake blocks are not light in weight and I think the way the ladies are carrying out the work would mean someone would have very sore arms. I am also surprised to see that there is no hand protection, such as gloves, brake blocks can have some very short edges or shards of metal if they are cast iron, again another reason for staging. For one reason or another, photographers seem to have an aversion to photographing things as they are. In taking this stand, they in effect demean the work carried out by the ladies as being staged instead of real, when we all are well aware of the sterling work carried out by women during both world wars. |
| At least they are looking at what they are supposed to be doing this time! Looks like either changing a brake block or adjusting brake rigging. Again a posed shot. | This one came from the Imperial War Museum and the caption was 'setting up brakes on a carriage', whatever that means. | This time they are simulating changing a brake block. The lady on the left has hold of the "lower hanger bolt" and the one on the right is supporting the brake block. The carriage is probably the same one as in the other picture. Again changing brake blocks on carriages was within the scope of "Oilers" and "Wagon Repairer". It is unlikely that they were "fitter's mates" as the C&W department only employed fitters at their larger workshops. So far the photos have only shown the sort of work routinely undertaken at "out-stations". |
