Manod's role in wartime
The
entrance
to the underground chambers as it looks today, this was formerly
a solid
wooden door as the underground complex was air conditioned.
One of
the
specially built wagons used to transport the artworks is seen at
the
quarry in 1997. These bogie wagons were built by the LMS at Derby
works and ran on the two foot gauge. There was formerly a small
shed
at the tunnel entrance which housed a petrol driven loco which worked
underground.
The pool in the background was used to supply cooling water to the air
conditioning system.
Underground
and wartime views of Manod
by
courtesy of Nick McCamley
The
doors
securing the entrance to one of the main underground
chambers. The small door on the right is to the air-conditioning
control
room - 1988.
One of the five storage buildings erected inside the quarry to house pictures from the National Gallery. Stripped and gutted when this photo was taken in 1988
A
Great
Western Railway container lorry, registration number FGT495,
at the
entrance to the underground store.
Having
entered
the tunnel the lorry is waiting by the powerhouse to be unloaded.
On the
right can be seen some upturned slate wagons.
One of
the
specially built wagons being used to transfer some of the art treasures
between
the underground storage buildings - 1943.
Another view showing one of the wagons being pushed to a storage area.