WW II Troop Train

That's terrific never saw that one before!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

Charle

That was good. As a note rail loading and securing tanks and vehicles onto flat cars hasn't changed. They still use the ramps between cars, Blocking and bracing is the same, and still use safety wire on the tie downs. I always hated driving tracked vehicles on to the flat cars!!

Doug 

Thanks Charlie, I hadn't seen that one yet either I Loved the Half-tracks, but what were the tanks?, looked smaller and different than what I remember Shermans looking like.

Doug

An interesting film preserving a "behind the scenes" view of a seldom seen but critical part of the war effort. Thanks!

And to confirm the previous comment regarding the current use of circus-style loading, check Ft. Knox, KY on Google Earth. Several rail yards with ramps and with flat cars staged in position to receive loads can be found scattered around the post.

The tanks look like the M2A4 light tank, but I am not too sure.  Not too many of them made compared to the bigger Shermans.

I believe you're right.  Only some 375 made (1940), and by 1943 most were used in training.

Most likely this was a unit in training most units deploying would fall in on new equipment as the progressed. The M2 Stuarts were common in CAV units early in the war and as late as 1945(M2A5) could be still found in some Armored Reconnaissance units in Germany.  Many were used by US and Brit units in North Africa and also in the liberation of the Philippines.

Spelling and grammar fixed

Most likely this was a unit in training. Most units deploying would fall in on new equipment as the war progressed. The M2 Stuarts were common in CAV units early in the war and as late as 1945(M2A5) and could be still found in some Armored Reconnaissance units in Germany.  Many were used by US and Brit units in North Africa and also in the liberation of the Philippines.

I bookmarked the YouTube video and placed it in my "U.S. Army" folder.  Someday, if I include a drive-in theater (DVD device) on my Army-theme layout, perhaps I can have this and several other videos run continuously.  Definitely fun to watch!

Nice video.  Wonder if we could still do it today?

BTW- if anyone is interested, Southern 635 was a class Ks 2-8-0 sister to the now-running 630 which is a Ks-1.  Richmond product of 1903.

EdK

Something like this, perhaps?

Interesting that wartime gons were used too and not just flats. did anyone see that army tow truck!

Great stuff.  Thanks for the 2 vids.

Nice, but I must have missed the troop sleepers . . .

EdKing

this interesting

16 M3A1 light tanks found in Brazil

Thanks Charlie for posting the film.  I'm heading out tomorrow and will get to see #630 at railfest, (TVRR museum) will post some pictures of her soon.  Bruce

It would be curious to know were they were shipped to. Looks like they were complete and some ran. Would be worth a lot of money on the collectors market.