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