Image Licensing : Mogul locomotive No. 8314 with bomb damage in 1941

EDITORS COMMENTS

Amidst the ruins of Weymouth in January 1941, the once mighty Mogul locomotive No. 8314 lies defeated, its once gleaming exterior now marred by the scars of war. The South Coast of Britain was a vulnerable target for the German Luftwaffe, with the ports of Weymouth and Portland being prime objectives due to their naval connections. In this haunting image, the wreckage of the 4300 Class Mogul locomotive is juxtaposed with its unscathed sister, the Star Class locomotive, Princess Charlotte, to the right. The Princess Charlotte, with its elegant curves and polished surfaces, stands as a stark reminder of the contrasting fates of these two engines. The Mogul locomotive, a workhorse of the railway, now lies amongst the debris, a testament to the destructive power of the air raid that swept through Weymouth on that fateful day. The skies above were filled with the roar of bombers, their payloads aimed at the vital infrastructure of the British railway network. As the war raged on, the resilience and determination of the railway workers shone through, as they worked tirelessly to keep the trains running, despite the constant threat of attack. This poignant photograph serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made during World War II and the indomitable spirit of those who kept the railway running through even the darkest of times.