From: Nigel Hay -MILWEB (Nigel@milweb.net)
Date: Sun Sep 12 2004 - 09:42:42 PDT
I was lucky to be able join Peter Gray, the founder of the MVCG later MVT
very early this morning for a ride in his 1930's Renault Rail car up the
single track railway line from Pont Eranbourg in Normandy up to Clecy this
morning, on a normally closed part of the line mangaged by the Pont
Eranbourg "Association Chemin de Fer".
We went thought the normally locked up, mile long tunnel where in June 1944
the ever fearless Herman Goerring used to sleep in the comfort of his
armoured train, safe from air attack (and by then he had little Luftwaffe
left to command)
The tunnel also provided shelter in mid August 1944 for 1500 terrified
locals who fled the fighting and hid for 4 days - during that time 2 babies
were actually born in the tunnel!
The group also has a diesel loco was built originally in 1917 as one of 6
armoured engines to pull 17inch naval guns for French army during WW1. It
was rebodied in 1955 and diesel engines to replace the petrol - electric
power plant.
Saved from scrap a few years ago by the Pont Eranbourg "Association Chemin
de Fer" it now is based at Pont Eranbourg in Normandy. Max speed is 20
mph.
Other pieces in the groups collection include a Dodge Weapons carrier with
rail wheels and several US built wartime pieces of rolling stock dating back
to WW1 and a 1944 US Shunter loco used during the Normandy campaign.
A delightful trip through such pieceful countryside.
Nige
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