RMweb Premium jbqfc Posted February 19, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 19, 2012 when was the white edging to platforms introduced thanks john Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishswissernie Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 when was the white edging to platforms introduced thanks john In response to the war time black out in World War 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
signalmaintainer Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 And my understanding is that not all stations adhered to the practice, although of course most did. Can anyone elaborate on that? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidR Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 It is thought that WW2 was the beginning of it, due to the blackout and no station lighting. Although there is evidence that it appeared before then, on some railways. I think this might have been discussed before, on the old RMweb forum Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold TheSignalEngineer Posted February 19, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 19, 2012 Try this topic http://www.rmweb.co....h__1#entry51128 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earlestown Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 I do remember seeing a BBC "Great railway journeys" a while back that mentioned that white paint was rationed during WW2 so often they just painted dashes rather than the full platform edge .. implying it was started pre 1939. Dave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium jbqfc Posted February 20, 2012 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted February 20, 2012 thanks for the help it was the wife that wanted to know for a picture she is paniting Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 I do remember seeing a BBC "Great railway journeys" a while back that mentioned that white paint was rationed during WW2 so often they just painted dashes rather than the full platform edge .. implying it was started pre 1939. Dave. Reference to many photos taken in the mid sixties shows the dashed-line platform edge paint treatment remaining in vogue. I can't speak for other regions, but on Scottish, stations on both the Waverley and Strathmore main lines had this feature in '67. I wondered if there was another reason for this - to provide contrast when the strip nearest the platform edge had been cleared of snow? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bike2steam Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Following the initial Zeppelin raids on London in 1915 'Blackouts' started, and were so successful most bombs fell on East Anglia, one end result being many railway stations had their platform edges painted white with whitewash. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PenrithBeacon Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 IIRC it was during the first war and then it was re-introduced in the lead up to the second. Could be wrong though. Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Sheep Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Following the initial Zeppelin raids on London in 1915 'Blackouts' started, and were so successful most bombs fell on East Anglia, one end result being many railway stations had their platform edges painted white with whitewash. That might have been partly down to Zepplins being a bit useless when it comes to accurately knowing where you are! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
62613 Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 The RAF had the same problem for a large part of WW2; until the advent of Gee and Oboe,up to one third of RAF bombers missed the target completely. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Q Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Various books I have, show Photos which confirm that white painting of lines was introduced in WW1 and continued neatly thereafter, WW2 and after it got a bit slapdash and ran over the platform edges on the stations I'm Interested in (EX MSWJR GWR) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkC Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 It seems that there were examples from before WW1. I've got a copy of the Midland Railway Society booklet on the Steam Railmotors, and on page 11 there is a quote from the #22 Appendix to the June 1908 WTT, which mentions the Halts on the Hemel Hempstead branch. "The Permanent Way staff are to examine daily the springs to the gates and keep the platforms clean. The edges will be kept whitewashed to the width of one foot from the edge. The District Superintendent will make the necessary arrangements for lighting and extinguishing the lamps at the Halts". That last sentence indicates that the whitewashed edge wasn't simply due to a lack of lighting, doesn't it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted May 1, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 1, 2012 I do remember seeing a BBC "Great railway journeys" a while back that mentioned that white paint was rationed during WW2 so often they just painted dashes rather than the full platform edge .. implying it was started pre 1939. Dave. Platform edge whitening back then (and for many years after) didn't use paint - that is a relatively modern (1970s) idea. Back then whitewash was used and judging from pics it was used allover the place in wartime - implying there wasn't a shortage of it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave777 Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 While we're at it, if it's not paint, what does whitewash consist of? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grovenor Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitewash Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave777 Posted May 5, 2012 Share Posted May 5, 2012 Yes, I guess I could have done my own research if I'd thought about it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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