16mm scale crane model

It all started with the the Péchot system. This was designed to supply the artillery of the 1880s in the field. In 1888, it was adopted by the French Army for defensive uses. Over the next 25 years, military firepower increased, as did the guns.  Even carrying their monster shells became a problem. In the 1890s, special 60cm rail-mounted cranes/grues were developed to handle these massive but delicate weights. These cranes were absorbed into the existing Péchot system.

This drawing by Henri Cheffer was made, probably from a photograph. It shows a Péchot system grue roulante carrying a 700kg shell. Picture from 'Illustration' courtesy M.D. Wright

The system he had created anticipated the standard problems for a portable, temporary railway. The track his bogies ran on might well be uneven. Their springing was superb for the time. The solidity of the bogies was unequalled; though well over a century old, examples survive in good condition. Best of all, the brakes were reliable and could be screwed down securely. Such basic reliability was appreciated by the squaddies charged with moving vast and sensitive loads in deplorable conditions.

A Wrightscale 16mm model of a Péchot system crane

We first noticed the cranes when reading through Dr Cénac’s  excellent ‘60cm pour ravitailler l’Armée francaise’ (60cm railways used for supplying the French Army during the First World War) They are also mentioned in Voie Etroite issue number 84 pages 30 and 31. Our thanks go to both these experts. I devote some pages to the 5-tonne bogie and the crane in ‘Col Péchot: Tracks To The Trenches’ chapter 8.

A smallish crane, often called the grue roulante - the moving crane - was developed. It ran on a single bogie and was held in position by the brake-wheel, assisted when necessary by chocs. It carried shells for the big guns when they operated out in the field; the weight of a shell designed for the 370mm Schneider gun was 700 kg, not including the bagged charge.

A mobile crane, stabilised by a counterweight, which could be operated by one man was much appreciated. A number were built to service the Schneider 370 towards the end of the First World War. One can be seen in the photograph on page 31 of VE no 84. Pictures also appeared in the album produced by Illustration magazine between the wars.

Exploded diagram of the instructions for a Wrightscale 16mm model of a Péchotbogie. Even at 16mm scale, the sturdinessand massive springs of the original can be appreciated

It was a challenge to create the kit for a model crane. Malcolm was keen to have one which would rotate on its bogie, like the prototype. He wanted the cable drum to work. There is no use having a handle if it doesn’t operate something. Most of all, he wanted a functioning counterweight.

The crane must rotate, the pulleys must work, the cable drum must rotate, the gears must mesh in good order and the counter-weight must run correctly.

The crane is mounted on a base-plate above a sub-base which is secured to the bogie by a nut, enabling it to rotate. The assembly must be well balanced. The jib, and load, must be in equilibrium with the counter-weight and track. The instructions, therefore, repeat what cannot be said often enough. ‘Become familiar with the parts before beginning’ ‘Fit twice, glue once’ ‘Trial assembly will result in a working model’ ‘Repeat trial assembly if necessary’

The model makes use of various materials, each fit for purpose. White metal provides sufficient strength for jib, pulleys, gears and other working parts. Pivots, pins and bolts are made of steel or brass as necessary. Malcolm and Adrian Swain worked out the white metal bits over a year of friendly argy-bargy. When Adrian retired, Sarum Castings were able to take over.

Wrightscale 16mm model of a Péchot system crane, showing the counter-eweight on its track and the pulleys

Sourcing the cable was quite a story as a working model needs something flexible, with adequate tensile strength and which could generate some friction.

This being Deeside, we started with fishing twine; many Wrightscale cranes operate well on this ‘cable’ Unfortunately, our source, Alan Brodie, a well-respected local character died. We then went on to button twine, bought at our local general store. This served well but unfortunately, the local store burnt down (look for ‘Strachan’s fire’ on U-tube). As well as sewing notions, they sold everything from paints to fine spirits. One day, the paraffin stove, a necessity in the Scottish winter, got a little too friendly with the White Spirit – hence the conflagration. They restocked, but not, alas, with button twine. We seemed to be stuck, but then the distaff side of the family came to the rescue. Someone wanted her bead necklace restrung and Malcolm discovered Tiger Wire. It comes in various colours, handy for representing fresh steel, rust, or mould. It has high tensile strength, is flexible and creates an acceptable degree of friction. Our wheels were in motion once more.

The model delights and intrigues. What a shame that we do not know of any extant versions! The fate of the originals was sad. After World War 1, the French Army kept its Péchot material, including the cranes. For its own reasons, the government and Press did not want to celebrate the role of 60cm, and so the public were encouraged to forget that the trenches were fed, armed and housed by the little portable railways. One example is the picture by Henri Cheffer of the 370mm gun being supplied by a Péchot system crane.

370 mm mortar being supplied by a crane. This is clearly a Péchot system crane and the lines of two 60cm railway tracks can be made out though the artist, Henri Cheffer has seen fit to erase the actual rail. Collection MD Wright

Although the crane is there, and a trail of material stretches along the line which could best be described as a railway track, the 60cm railway has been removed.

In World War 2, almost all Army material fell into hands of the Nazis. By the end of the War, it was being scrapped to keep their fearsome war machine in operation.  We are proud that our little model is keeping this intriguing machine alive, at least to the imagination.

Wrightscale and 16mm military models

We are delighted to support the 16mm Narrow Gauge Military Modellers Group. On June 1^st they are having a running day at Woodseaves Miniature Railway Sydnall Lane near Market Drayton TF9 2AS. The group now has more than 480 members, which is an excellent reflection on the potential of this interest.

16mm gauge translates to 2’ or 60 cm gauge prototypes, the vast majority of which were for military use in the First World War. Yes, there were railways of this gauge in Britain long before then. Unlike the coal mines of England and South Wales, the small slate railways of North Wales realised the advantages of 2’ gauge.

The Festiniog Railway of North Wales was a pioneer in many respects. Between the slate quarries in the mountains and the sea, there were several miles of rough country.  As the journey was downhill overall, the advantages of railway over packhorse were clear. On the other hand, standard gauge would cost too much to construct. 2’ was chosen and 2’ thrived. At first, loaded wagons just ran downhill and the empties were towed back by horses. Then locomotives were introduced. In other places, other narrow-gauges were tried, but natural selection favoured the fittest – 2’ gauge.

The French came to the same gauge another way. In the 1870s, Paul Decauville introduced prefabricated agricultural railways of an even smaller gauge – 40cm, roughly 1’4”.  These became known as porteur Decauville and were very successful.

Contemporary print of the Pechot-Bourdon locomotive, a neat yet powerful developent of the Fairlie with remarkable track-holding powers. Print courtesy Raymond Duton

A young army officer, Prosper Péchot used these railways on a military base and decided there was room for improvement. By dint of careful calculation and experiment, he devised a 60cm gauge portable railway. Its components were robust enough to carry remarkable loads yet light enough to be carried by a small human team. He was encouraged by Paul Decauville who allowed him to experiment at his headquarters in Evry, just south of Paris.

You can read the full story in my book, ‘Colonel Tracks Péchot: Tracks To The Trenches’ The French Army adopted the system in 1888, calling it artillerie 88. Almost immediately, the Germans adopted it and started improving on his good work. They did their work so well thatGermany started the First World War ahead of the Allies.

Wrightscale 16mm model of a Pechot-designed wagon artillerie 88. It was innovative in many ways, running on well-sprung bogies and virtually indestructible

The good Péchot paid a heavy personal cost for introducing such a successful system to the French military, among other things, his relationship with Paul Decauville. The two gentlemen were concurrents. This useful French word can mean they co-operated or alternatively, they were rivals. At different times in their relationship, both words were true..

It is a pity. Péchot was a just man who acknowledged his debt to Decauville in France and to the Festiniog Railway – Spooner in particula - in Britain. Some (mentioning no names, but you know who you are) have accused him of plagiarism, but any careful examination of his rail, wagons and locomotives proves that he made introductions and improvements to them all. The Fairlie family of locomotives are splendid, but for sheer compact power and innovations to ensure heavy haulage on rough track, nothing beats the elegant little Péchot Bourdon locomotive.

16mm scale Wrightscale WD bogie. The prototype design owed much to Col Pechot's pioneering work

The ability to transport huge tonnage into the field made a huge difference to trench warfare. If the soldiers had not been plentifully supplied with food, water, the wherewithal to build and fortify their trenches and most of all, guns and ammunition, the war really would have been over by Christmas (1914!)  As it was, the combattants were able, just, to stay in their trenches and bombard each other for more than fifty gruelling months.

The bogie of a prototypical British War Department wagon photographed at Apedale. The design depended heavily on innovations first suggested by Colonel Pechot. Photo courtesy Jim Hawkesworth

After the War, German railway equipment was eagerly seized by the Allies. Among the spoils of war was a vast 60cm network in Namibia. British material was also sold off as War surplus as was some from the US. The victorious French Army closely guarded its artillerie 88 rolling stock and the Decauville 15 wagons which were also used during the War. These were walled up in their Army bases, safe from prying eyes.

The net effect of all this was that the ground-breaking French equipment faded from view. A myth has grown up that the Germans invented 60cm military narrow gauge and that the Allies played catch-up in this area as with so many others. I could quote authorities who make this claim but I’ll spare their blushes.

The whole WD wagon, designed to carry a gun snapped at Apedale in 2018 by Jim Hawkesworth.

In any case, soon after the War, the internal combustion engine came into its own. Journeys which hitherto were only possible by rail moved onto a growing road network. Historians who were never there proclaim the value of War Horse rather than War Wagon. It was easy to forget the enormous contribution made by the small portable railways. They seemed to have been folded up and placed at the back of the cupboard of history.

Prototype WD Baldwin 4-6-0 locomotive snapped at Apedale by Jim Hawkesworth in 2018

So … thank you to groups such as the Moseley Railway Society who run events at the 2’ gauge railway at Apedale, Staffs. They regularly run trains using material preserved from the First World War, and regularly educate the public. Thank you also to the 16mm scale Society. Models based on preserved 2' prototypes which could run on widely available (o gauge) track became mainstream. And thank you to the 16mm military modellers. If you can get to Woodseaves TF9 2AS on June 1^st , so much the better!

This is the model! 16mm Wrightscale Baldwin 4-6-0 loco. You can see the similarity to the 16mm NG Military logo