Tracks to the Trenches: 1916
TTTT2
© Geoff’s Rail Diaries 2016
Geoff’s Rail Diaries
13 May 2016
It has to be a frontrunner for the minor
railways event of the year: Tracks to
the Trenches. It’s 100 years since the
first world war, an incidental effect of
which was the widespread adoption of
2’0” gauge for minor industrial railways
in the UK, using war surplus equipment. The first such event
was in September 2014; this was the second TTTT.
The MRT’s Apedale Valley Railway, near Newcastle under
Lyme, is a relative newcomer to the heritage railway
scene, but it’s really getting the wind in its sails
(inappropriate metaphor perhaps) in developing the line
on which to operate its huge fleet of narrow gauge
locomotives. A good few were in action today - including
three home-team steam locomotives (Stanhope, HC1238
and KS “Joffre” 3014 - all built during WW1) and
countless (uncountable: they kept moving around)
internal combustion locos, mostly by Motor Rail, and
again, mostly around 100 years old.
Such events are usually marked by
visitors (of the locomotive kind) - the
West Lancs’ “Joffre” (bearing the name
“Joffre”, just to clarify matters), Baldwin
778 from Leighton Buzzard and (relatively
youthful) GP39, the HC from Statfold.
There are i/c visitors too - the Festiniog’s
“Moelwyn”, in plain grey livery being a notable example.
There’s never a dull moment - steam-hauled passenger and
freight trains shuttle up an down the main running line, while
the odd steamer and lots of Motor Rails
trundle around the field railway (which is
really looking authentic these days). One
wanders back and forth past the
trenches, passing ammunition boxes and
sandbags galore.
An icon of the first TTTT was the Motor Rail carefully “crashed”
into a shell hole. It was there again, carefully turned to face the
other way, just in case anyone thought it had been there
ever since.
One bit of fun was provided by the “tin turtle” better
known as the Festiniog’s “Mary Ann”, who managed to
derail herself down the field railway. One wheel almost
off became all four when the first rescue was attempted,
by a pair of more-conventional MRs. Later, Stanhope
made a valiant attempt to haul the re-railed machine
back up the line, but succeeded only in polishing the
rails. Finally, a big modern (definitely not WW1-vintage) diesel
did the job.
I chose to go on the Friday partly because
other pursuits were on the cards later in
the weekend, and partly because I
thought it might be quieter (better for
photography perhaps). It wasn’t quiet -
the event seemed to be hugely popular
(and I would hope even more so on the following two days).
What a great day - I’m already looking forward to TTTT3.
Link: Apedale Valley Light Railway
