Hey all, I am in the very beginning stages of researching a layout that will be based in the Western Front of WWI. This would be the Germany France/Belgium Border. Ive got quite a bit of space, but I think I'll be going with HO Scale because I want to dedicate a good portion to the actual trenches on the front lines.
What im having problems with is finding information on train activity/railroads in Europe during that time period. Im not a railroad expert so im not exactly sure what to search for, searching for WW1 trains, railroads is not coming back with much help.
So im asking you guys, where should I look? I want more information about the locomotives, cars, etc..that were used to transport supplies and troops to the front. Or close to the front.
Also, if any of you can recommend a hobby shop in the Kansas City area that would be greatly appreciated. I havent been really involved in this hobby since I was a young child, so am very out of touch.
Also, any information or links to incorporating electronics in dioramas, such as sounds(explosions, gunc shots) to actually hooking up figurines to rails(not railroad rails, but movement rails) would be greatly appreciated as well. I'd like to go as realistic as possible, and have as many things moving about as possible not just trains.
Thanks in Advance, and I will probobly just keep this thread updated with my progress/lack therof and other questions.
An interesting project. Perhaps you already know about these websites devoted to the first world war; tons of info but no mention of railroads in the index.
http://www.firstworldwar.com/index.htm
http://www.teacheroz.com/wwi.htm
Dave Nelson
I know in previous posts there has been some discussion of the "trench railways" which were very small narrow gauge trains used to bring supplies to the front. IIRC they were something less than 2' gauge, maybe 18-20"?? I think a few people have modelled that at least in dioramas. I seem to remember there was a book on the trench railways but can't remember any details right now??
Yes, after further research here last night, I found topics very briefly touching on trench railways...I searched google for trench railroads, now I will try railways.
Im also contemplating moving up to O Scale so I can have more detail...
Anymore information is greatly appreciated. Even if they are guesses/ideas. I then atleast have somewhere to begin. I would think that there would be more info out there on this subject.
Thanks to the guys above for the help so far.
You might want to look at websites devoted to military miniatures for this sort of thing. The forum associated with Fine Scale Modeler might have some helpful information.
There might be some video of trench trains in the DVD "War Trains", but it's been over a year since I looked at the DVD, and I don't remember.
Dan
Yeah I have been browsing the finescale forums as well.
Thankfully my research has made a turn for the better, googling trench railways instead of railroads brings a plethora of results to mine through. So I have my hands full right now.
most of the trench railways were 60 cm, 1 cm less than 2 feet. Most of the trains approaching the front ran only at night and under blackout conditions! if an engine driver were to slip the resulting shower of sparks would be spotted by the enemy and an artillery barrage would soon follow. many Allied locomotives were Baldwin 4-6-0T and double ended Davenport 2-6-2Ts. I actually have one of the Davenports 2-6-2T in my shop (and if i live long enough maybe i'll get to fix it)
toot toot, is it an actual loco? can you post pics? Im not having much luck finding actual model locomotives so im thinking I will need to scratch build, which is fine with me. Would be nice to have some pics from someone with one.
yes, its an actual locomotive, but it has been detanked and modified
i'd be glad to post photos, if i knew how, i posted a couple photos at
steamlocomotive.com/misc/images/showimagephp?image=byron2968-2jpg
when i moved it from WA to my shop in NY
you'll have to imagine it with side tanks and all that junk removed, the cab only extends as far as the front edge of the door
it was built by Davenport cn 1700 in 1918, but the war ended and the order was cancelled before it was shipped overseas.
Thats awesome toot toot, quite a conversation starter im sure. I tried to bring up the page but its giving a 404 Error.
I have three books here. the first two are Narrow Gauge At War, Vol 1 and 2, published by Plateway Press. They cover the English War Department Light Railways. The other is " Narrow Gauge To No Mans Land ", by Richard Dunn, Benchmark Pub. Co. That one is on the US narrow gauge railways.
Check out the Leighton Buzzard Narrow Gauge Railway Soceity web site. I'm a member of that group and they have a Baldwin 4-6-0t from the WDLR. They also have several Simplex type gas locomotives from that period including a protected one. the video War Trains is a must get for you. It covers WW 1, and WW 2. Some really good footage of the WW 1 stuff both narrow gauge and standard gauge.
Toot Toot: Now you've done it. I'd really like to hear more about your locomotive. What are you plans for it. Drop me a line ether PM or E-mail. Better E-mail.
Good Hunting
Hey Paul,
Any chance of you parting with those books? Or "renting" them out to me? I was unaware of the first two books, but have been searching for Narrow Guage to No Mans Land and cant find it anywhere (actually posted a topic on it in Gen Discussion)
If you dont want to part with them, I'd be willing to send you money you send me the books and send the money back when you get the books back.
Been doing some measuring and general layout planning tonight, and I've got a U shaped layout in mind.
The End Piece is approx 5ft x 8ft this will be the trench war area mainly
The Middle piece is approx 15ft x 6-7ft this will be the connection from standard guage rail to the supply station where things will then be transported to narrowguage trench railways/tramways
A Mountain with tunnel will divide the war scene from the city/port scene
The final piece is approx 6ft x 10-12ft. This will hopefully include a port, city and rail head.
Not sure if you can picture it or not, im trying to mess with MSPaint to help me visualize it on paper but not working to well yet.
hungry4knowhow Thats awesome toot toot, quite a conversation starter im sure. I tried to bring up the page but its giving a 404 Error.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCUd0t_swww
Hungry - What a great layout concept! I've never seen an operational railroad anything like what you are describing. After some thought, I visualize a main line on your larger section bringing in fresh troops and all sorts of materiel, with refugees and wounded going outbound. Probably a contingent of Brass at the platform, with suitable space and body guards around them. A very crowded and chaotic scene!
I visualize your trench line as a branch (sounds like the community recommends narrow gauge) with very rough trackwork and perhaps a wreck in the ditch. Troops crouching in the ditch waiting to unload, very low lighting, maybe some fiber optics here and there for muzzle flashes and fires, medics and wounded on stretchers waiting to get out....
You could have really interesting operations moving the people, equipment and supplies in and out, as well as dramatic scenery on your trench branch and your main. Good luck with that!
Doing a WW1 layout myself in OO and 009 scale. I would post some photos if I could work out how. I'm two years into it.
Link is http://steamlocomotive.com/misc/images/byron2968-2.jpg
Gary
Gidday Greg, to the forum.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Google 'wwi railways' and click on Images. There are tons of photos available.
Rich
Alton Junction
toot toot:
http://steamlocomotive.com/misc/images/
Clickable link.
You really have to know what you are searching for on this link.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Wow, this is really interesting! Just jumped in, as this thread caught my attention.
Mike.
My You Tube
Minitrains has both US-/British outline and German WW I HOn30 locos, which run on 9mm track. Although this would not be the correct gauge, it does allow for affordable prices.
Minitrains
Surprized no one has bothered to link to this thread "Narrow Gauge goes to War". My contribution to that thread was a YouTube video link showing the construction and operation of (yes, American) railroads in France near the western front.
A useful book to consult might be Bernard Kempinski's "Model Railroads Go to War." It covers wars from the American Civil War down to the UK-US Iraq invasion, but there is a good section on WWI. In fact, the author, who has also been a war gamer, built a rather elaborate diorama to depict the trench warfare and supporting railway activity that you plan to model.
Frank