Tracks to the Trenches – Centenary event success

Local schools and the public (from across the UK and Europe) turned out in their droves on 12-14th September 2014, to witness the culmination of years of dedicated work and preparation by members of the Moseley Railway Trust. As very early partners to the IWM Centenary Program, ‘Tracks to the Trenches -2014’ had been promoted as the Trust’s major First World War centenary event.

For three days during September, a small corner of Northern Staffordshire resembled a forward area training camp with associated infrastructure, complete with all the hustle and bustle of moving troops and equipment right up to a frontline trench. “Tracks to the Trenches” looked specifically at the role of narrow gauge railways in the conflict. This role was one of some significance, as light railway networks grew exponentially to support the war effort when the two sides stagnated on the Western Front. When rapid cavalry attacks and a war of movement failed, the subsequently entrenched armies all along the Front Line demanded massive logistical effort to supply and sustain their men, machines and heavy guns.

The French and German armies had developed their light railway supply systems early, the British leaving it somewhat late, had to rely on a hasty catch-up exercise well into the war. With the support of the (steam locomotive) manufacturing might of the USA, a vast network of railways were built, which matched those developed by the Germans. As all the systems were compatible with each other, it was common to find opposing sides using (and hastily connecting to) their enemy’s infrastructure whenever the generally inflexible front moved any significant distance.

The team from the Moseley Railway Trust adapted a significant area of land adjacent to the Apedale Valley Light Railway (www.avlr.org.uk), to include narrow gauge field railway and branchlines, a section of trench (generously funded by a grant from the Western Front Association), and display areas for cavalry, replica tank and very large living history army camp. In addition they brought together an unrivalled collection of appropriate narrow gauge railway equipment (representing all armies in the conflict), many items of which had been restored just in time or specifically for the event.

The Moseley Railway Trust’s events team is just starting to turn its attention to further events during the Centenary period – culminating in another significant event in 2018. There will be a military themed event in 2016 (probably during May), which will once again feature the Trench and the Trench Tramway to their fullest extent.

Any interested groups or potential sponsors are invited to contact the team through the event website in the first instance.

It is intended to make the Trench network available for group visits and open for tours at other specific times during the next few years.

The Trust’s centenary event website is being maintained throughout the period – please watch this space for further developments. www.ww1-event.org.

Photo credit : Simon Merritt-Webb