So it was the brake the Lance Corporal was fiddling with. It puzzled me why he'd turn it a bit, then turn it back. Maybe a trick to keep the loco from picking points or square rail joints. Apropos of that, I noticed the Sapper pushing the point of a switch they were dismantling back into position just before the loco passed through without stopping. Oh, would there be shouting if something like that took place at my 1:1 trackwork volunteer job.
So it was the brake the Lance Corporal was fiddling with. It puzzled me why he'd turn it a bit, then turn it back. Maybe a trick to keep the loco from picking points or square rail joints. Apropos of that, I noticed the Sapper pushing the point of a switch they were dismantling back into position just before the loco passed through without stopping. Oh, would there be shouting if something like that took place at my 1:1 trackwork volunteer job.
The more I dig the more I realize this was a well documented operation. If only color film was readily available.