Military railways

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Military railways are a form of transport communication technology used by the military forces for movement of strategically significant forces, bulk cargo or as a platform for military systems.

Due to the expense of building the railway networks, the national railway infrastructure is usually utilised by the military forces, however it often uses specialised rolling stock designed to solve uniquely military logistics or combat problems.

Contents 1 Current railways 2 Historical railways 2.1 Crimean War 2.2 American Civil War 2.3 Russian use in Asia 3 Sources and references

[edit] Current railways

• Longmoor Military Railway
• British military narrow gauge railways
• Melbourne Military Railway
• Bicester Military Railway

• The main US Army repair and storage depot has an internal railway system with interchange to the national network.

[edit] Historical railways

• Trench railways

[edit] Crimean War

One of the first uses of military railways was to establish a more reliable supply of British Army troops in the Balaclava positions during the Crimean War severe winter of 1855.

[edit] American Civil War

United States Military Railroad known as the City Point Railroad, which extended to Petersburg during the Siege of Petersburg during the American Civil War in 1864 -1865.

[edit] Russian use in Asia

Trans-Siberian Main Railway (Транссибирская железнодорожная магистраль - Транссиб), before 1917 was named The Great Siberian Way (Великий Сибирский Путь). First construction begun on 19 May (31 May) 1891.

[edit] Sources and references

• Vecamer, Arvo L., Deutsche Reichsbahn: The German State Railway in WWII, [1]
• Connor, W.D., Maj., Military Railways, Professional Papers No.32, Corps of Engineers US Army, Revised edition 1917, Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1917.