Some recent postings have referred to a “trench engine”. Would some kind soul explain to this novice what that is? Many thanks!

ri51425@alltel.net

During the First World War, the Allies constructed an elaborate system of narrow gauge railroads to serve the supply trenches and fortifications along the Western Front. These railroads carried ammunition and supplies, and sometimes paralleled roads that were built for the same purpose. When the U.S. entered the war in April of 1917, we shipped many narrow and standard gauge locomotives and cars to help supply the American Expeditionary Force. I think only one complete trench locomotive survives in the U.S., as the previous posts indicate. The one for sale on Ebay was built on the frame of an uncompleted trench locomotive.

wilkidm@wku.edu

> During the First World War, the Allies
> constructed an elaborate system of narrow
> gauge railroads to serve the supply trenches
> and fortifications along the Western Front.
> These railroads carried ammunition and
> supplies, and sometimes paralleled roads
> that were built for the same purpose. When
> the U.S. entered the war in April of 1917,
> we shipped many narrow and standard gauge
> locomotives and cars to help supply the
> American Expeditionary Force. I think only
> one complete trench locomotive survives in
> the U.S., as the previous posts indicate.
> The one for sale on Ebay was built on the
> frame of an uncompleted trench locomotive.

Thank you, David, for your good enlightenment! A fascinating part of history! Besides their intended destination and use, were there any features that distinguished them from other locomotives? Or does one need to know the history of one to identify it as a trench engine?


ri51425@alltel.net

Not just the allies, but the Axis built 60 cm gauge "feld Bahnen" as well.

Richard Dunn's "Narrow Gauge to No Man's Land", published by Benchmark Publications, covers the US equipment and operations. Charles Small's "Two-Foot Rails to the Front" might still be available from Railhead Publications as well.

I don't have the title, but there is also a book that covers the British trench railways also currently available.



a231pacific@aol.com

> Some recent postings have referred to a
> “trench engine”. Would some kind soul
> explain to this novice what that is? Many
> thanks!

See the following link for photo of a American built "trench engine". This 2-6-2T was built by Baldwin but there were similar Alco, Davenport and Vulcan variants. Also there were 35 hp and 50 hp gas mechanicals and a Baldwin 4-6-0T. All were 2' gauge.



WD WWI 2-6-2T 2' Gauge
MT14L@aol.com

> See the following link for photo of a
> American built "trench engine".
> This 2-6-2T was built by Baldwin but there
> were similar Alco, Davenport and Vulcan
> variants. Also there were 35 hp and 50 hp
> gas mechanicals and a Baldwin 4-6-0T. All
> were 2' gauge.

Oops! "This page not available" it says at the URL http://www.geocities.com/speeder2.geo/WD262.jpg. to which this link leads. Gremlins at work?

> See the following link for photo of a
> American built "trench engine".
> This 2-6-2T was built by Baldwin but there
> were similar Alco, Davenport and Vulcan
> variants. Also there were 35 hp and 50 hp
> gas mechanicals and a Baldwin 4-6-0T. All
> were 2' gauge.

Thanks to Yahoo's policies the link doesn't work from outside Yahoo. Anyone interested in this photo email me off line.
Dave S.


MT14L@aol.com