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Post Info TOPIC: Tracks to the Trenches - 2014 (WW1 Centenary Event)


Corporal

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Tracks to the Trenches - 2014 (WW1 Centenary Event)
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Dear All,

I am a volunteer member of a narrow gauge railway museum charity called the Moseley Railway Trust (http://www.mrt.org.uk), who operate the Apedale Valley Light Railway in North Staffordshire, UK

As you are aware, 2014 will mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War. This conflict was the catalyst for many changes, the result of which lead to the modern world we now live in.

One of the areas where it had a huge impact was transport, particularly military logistics in all theatres; there was a massive move away from the use of horses, with lorries & railways used on a previously unimaginable scale. Tactical narrow gauge railways, with their ability to rapidly adapt to the changes in the battlefield, were eventually used by all combatants somewhat amazingly all sides standardized upon 60cm gauge field railways.

These railways, which served most front lines of the conflict, became the catalyst for many post-war industrial railways - providing high quality "war surplus" equipment at bargain prices, which served a multitude of industries around the world long after the war ended.

You can also see some more details about these railways on my own personal website here: http://www.wdlr.org.uk

Our museum currently encompasses an extremely comprehensive collection of locomotives (around 60) and rolling stock including a significant quantity of materials built for use in France during WW1. In addition to our passenger railway, we also have a large (currently undeveloped) field area on which we are intending to start construction of a traditional field railway and various external cameo museum display areas.

Due to the timing, our external WW1 museum area (hopefully to include a typical locomotive shed) is likely to be one of the first areas to be developed shortly.

We are now confirming plans for the major WW1 "Tracks to the Trenches" event centred around our site over the weekend of September 13/14 (extending to possibly a long weekend) 2014. We are now starting to book some key attractions - there should be a press release shortly & the event now has its own website - please see: http://www.ww1-event.org
We are also adding some WW1 related model displays & currently in discussions with several owners.

We will appreciate any feedback to this!

I would be extremely interested to explore ways that we might be able to work together with other groups, or receive expressions of interest in attending from Groups/traders/etc please.

Some projects that we are looking at are:
Construction of an outdoors WW1 cameo museum display area probably including WW1 replica engine shed & other related items. (subject to planning applications!)
Extensive field railway
Event field
Possibly a small section of trench
Various Living history groups
Visiting locomotives/stock hopefully to represent British, USA, French & German railways.
Our site has an active drift mine that provides tours - hopefully this will also be included to show the tunnelling war.

Im sure that lots of other items and opportunities will start to present themselves too.

We are keen to have discussions with various Living history Groups (& others) who may be interested in working with us during this construction & gala creation.

I look forward to hearing from you all soon.

Thanks in advance,

Gareth Roberts
Moseley Railway Trust Event Organiser



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Best Regards, Gareth


Hero

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Gareth

This is going to be good.

God willing W^D Models will be there.



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Barry John


Legend

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Well done Gareth, best wishes from the antipodes.

"Follow the sapper."

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Facimus et Frangimus


Corporal

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Well, it's safe to say that a lot has gone on since I posted the original event note of this forum!

The 2014 event is very well developed and your organising team is really looking forward to September (probably just after the event - when we can relax!!).

The event website has just been subject to a major update and now includes details of most of the attending exhibits and attractions. If you've not had a look recently, this is the time to go back! www.ww1-event.org

We are pleased to confirm that the tickets, Access all Areas passes and Friday night photoshoot passes are all now available for advance purchase via the "tickets" tab on the main event website - advance purchase is entitled to a complimentary copy of the event guide for collection when visiting the event.

 

 



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Best Regards, Gareth


Corporal

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As we are getting closer to the Centenary event, developments are really starting to speed up!
In the last couple of weeks, BBC has screened a 5 part series called "Railways of the Great War" - http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b04dbrkp/railways-of-the-great-war-with-michael-portillo-1-a-railway-war-begins
Some of our collection features in the 3rd episode, giving you a flavour of what is to come next month....
The attending attractions/exhibits section is being regularly updated - it seems to be the largest gathering of WW1 light railway equipment for a VERY long time!
The advance ticket purchase facility is remaining live until 1st September. Please see www.ww1-event.org
See you there?
Cheers,
 
defiant1uk wrote:

Well, it's safe to say that a lot has gone on since I posted the original event note of this forum!

The 2014 event is very well developed and your organising team is really looking forward to September (probably just after the event - when we can relax!!).

The event website has just been subject to a major update and now includes details of most of the attending exhibits and attractions. If you've not had a look recently, this is the time to go back! www.ww1-event.org

We are pleased to confirm that the tickets, Access all Areas passes and Friday night photoshoot passes are all now available for advance purchase via the "tickets" tab on the main event website - advance purchase is entitled to a complimentary copy of the event guide for collection when visiting the event.

 

 


 



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Best Regards, Gareth
Rob


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At least one attendee was a 'star' (I use the term very loosely, although I did get spotted in the street!) on Episode 2, too!

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