WWI Footage: Narrow Gauge Train Lines in France Historic Trains Railways Charlie Dean Archives

Allied forces constructing railways throughout France to help move men and supplies during World War One. We see Army personel laying the sleepers and track for the extensive network of two foot (60cm) narrow gauge lines, ballasting work, loading and laying of prebuilt trackwork. We also see scenes of the railway in action as the little trains trundle along country lanes and through the town streets. The film ends with scenes of the train taking soldiers towards the front lines. After the war the lines were abandoned and most of the locomotives and rollingstock simply left where they were last used, with many being salvaged by the locals to help with logging activities. . CharlieDeanArchives Archive footage from the 20th century making history come alive