Atomic Systems

I was just thinking. We've got loads of routes, fictional, real, in america, britain, tropical Islands, even one on the moon. But there is one of many things we are missing: a wartime route!

Perhaps someone could build a railway set in the second world war travelling through heavily defended towns, battlefields, military bases, etc. We could even have the route crossing from german territory to allied territory, so we could run allied and german trains. It woudl be great for activites! Any takers?

Its a nice idea, and there are a couple of model railways around set in that period, but the big problem is the research. Photography was not encouraged during those difficult times.

The other issue is politics. Some preserved railways have run into trouble as it is having wartime themed days, with objections to people "role playing" by strutting around in German uniforms and jackboots replete with swastikas and SS insignia. Hasten to add I don't have strong views either way on that subject. Wars happen, indeed are still going on as the horrific news from Iraq tonight bears testimony and they are a part of our history as much as any peacetime era. It could be done but would have to done very, very sensitively. It's not necessarily a huge step from crossing a battlefield to that ominous brick gateway at Auschwitz...

I think a wartime version of of forthcoming London SE route (or something similar round the capital) would be OK. I would imagine sandbagging everywhere, cross-taping windows, barrage balloons, the odd bombed building and suitable sound regions (air raid warnings and bomber drones etc) combined with the right rollingstock and a good set of activities would be extremely atmospheric without upsetting too many people...

...just my thoughts, what do others think?

Hmm, you have a point about the political issue. Guess I should have thought that one through.

As for research, also a valid point. perhaps this was bad idea altogether, lol.

Mattaf wrote:Hmm, you have a point about the political issue. Guess I should have thought that one through.

As for research, also a valid point. perhaps this was bad idea altogether, lol.

No - I don't think it was. What Steve N described would make a great route - you need drab coloured stock (I understand most stock was repainted black in WW2).

My understanding is that the Thames - Mersey route has a batch file mechanism where it can be either the steam era or the diesel / electric era. I stand to be corrected here

If that is the case then the London area routes could presumably do the same and have a more wartime feel as an added extra ?

Could be a bit radical and do a short US route during the American Civil War...

regards

Dan

There is one small activity - 'England Expects' - for Thaxted, which is a step in the right direction....

Someone of other (Possibly Mike Wilson) was planning a World War 1 narrow gauge trench route a while back. I think similar concerns were raised and the general synopsis was that as long as the subject is approached tactfully then it would be ok.

You would just have to be somewhat cautious and consious of the fact that its a very delicate issue.

Chris

There will be a few LNER wartime loco's released with the Yorkshire coast route. Regarding the politics of a wartime route I don't really see a problem, there are tons of games such as WW2 flightsims and first person shoot em ups. Driving a tank engine on an ammunition train is a lot tamer to putting your ammunition into the side of a tank. The era would provide scope for loads of unusual activities, It would be nice to see something made in this era

Gordon used my railway gun in an activity for the Bala route, though for some reason, didn't use the black WD Dean goods to pull it

bigvern wrote:The other issue is politics. Some preserved railways have run into trouble as it is having wartime themed days, with objections to people "role playing" by strutting around in German uniforms and jackboots replete with swastikas and SS insignia. Hasten to add I don't have strong views either way on that subject. Wars happen, indeed are still going on as the horrific news from Iraq tonight bears testimony and they are a part of our history as much as any peacetime era. It could be done but would have to done very, very sensitively. It's not necessarily a huge step from crossing a battlefield to that ominous brick gateway at Auschwitz...

Its almost like people try to ignore that Musolini/Hitler existed.

TOMMO79 wrote: Driving a tank engine on an ammunition train is a lot tamer to putting your ammunition into the side of a tank. The era would provide scope for loads of unusual activities

Like having to hide in a tunnel......while Messersmits strafe the track ahead.....

better still how about that Dads Army episode where they guard the station for the "Kings train" to past through.....and take the salute by the water troughs.....

thenudehamster wrote:There is one small activity - 'England Expects' - for Thaxted, which is a step in the right direction....

Sounds good!

Sam

qzdcg8 wrote:I think a wartime version of of forthcoming London SE route (or something similar round the capital) would be OK. I would imagine sandbagging everywhere, cross-taping windows, barrage balloons, the odd bombed building and suitable sound regions (air raid warnings and bomber drones etc) combined with the right rollingstock and a good set of activities would be extremely atmospheric without upsetting too many people...

...just my thoughts, what do others think?

Sounds nice