Light Railways at the Front

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 18, 6 March 1917, Page 5

Light Railways at the Front

SUPERCEDE MOTOR LORRIES

Mr H. Warner Allen, correspondent with the French Army, writes on January 7thThe development of the light railways behind the lines has now reached such a stage that it is scarcely an exaggeration to say that no artillery preparations for an attack would be possible without them. Much, of course, has been written concerning the splendid service rendered by the motor lorries at Verdun. But on that occasion they were acting in their proper capacity as an emergency service. At Verdun, as is well known, there was a continual procession for many miles, in either direction, of 4000 motor lorries. Thanks to magnificent organisation, the road stood the strain, and an average of 2000 tons to the 24 hours was carried along it. This wonderful tour do force, however, did not provide a normal means of transport, which could only be the result of the development of the railway resources of the district. In the earlier days of the war it was soon found that road traffic could not cope with the ordinary needs of a trench sector. Horse and motor vehicles ware always liable to be blocked through the intensity of the traffic, and the road metal began to go to pieces. The only solution of the problem was to be found in the light railway with a guage of 60 centimetres.

Such a line is easily and rapidly laid down. Its rails are riveted two by two to metal sleepers, and can be pub together with a minimum of delay, With a thin layer of ballast these rails can be laid almost anywhere. Thanks to the narrowness of their guaga they can follow the most tortuous course, and hills have no tenors for them.

The rolling stock consists of steam engines and motor tractors oapablo of drawing a useful load of 25 tons up an inclined plane of three in 100. In close proximity to the enemy’s lines, the engines betray their position by the dense volume of white smoke and steam that they pour out of their funnels. Often near the second or third line trenches I have taken their smoke for a shell burst.

To-day there exists behind every army on the French front a regular system of light railways. From the railheads of the standard gauge systems 60 centimetre lines run out in the direction of the front to depots.