The Adorable War Trains: A Piece of History
Meet the cutest War Trains you will ever see in your life.
After the British were forced to evacuate at Dunkirk in 1940 and France’s surrender, there was a real fear that the British Isles could be invaded next. As a result, some rather curious plans were enacted to counter a possible German Invasion.
Conversion of the Romney, Hythe, and Dymchurch Railway
One of these plans came from the Romney, Hythe, and Dymchurch Railway in Kent. This was a small gauge, light railway that ran for just under 14 miles between the Cinque Port of Hythe to the Dungeness railway station in Romney Marsh. Now I must point out this was a light railway that used incredibly small steam locomotives, which primarily moved passengers along the line to the many villages it ran through.
But in 1940, the railway was taken over by the military, and the decision was made to convert the engines into armored trains. Despite their size, the Railway was used to deliver troops along the coast and even played a major role in “Operation PLUTO”. This operation involved the construction of a pipeline to provide fuel to allied troops in France after the D-Day landings. The line was used to deliver the 140 cm diameter sections of pipes to Dungeness for assembly, though this operation did result in sections of the line being damaged.
The Role During and After the Blitz
The trains were also used in an anti-aircraft role during the Blitz, and at least one German fighter was said to have been shot down by them. After the war, the trains were stripped of their armor and were returned to public service.
The railway continues to operate to this day and holds the title of being one of the smallest public railways in the world.
~NC
