British Railway Engines in France.

Home railway workers who saw Active Service in the 1914–1918 conflict are eagerly carrying on their duties on the line, while their younger colleagues do their bit in the Army, Navy or Air Force. Tin hats rest easily on the heads of these veterans, whose example and experience count for so much. Talking of railway veterans brings to mind the considerable number of Home railway locomotives which saw service abroad during the last war, and are again included in the stock of engines hauling our military trains in France. Each of the group railways has furnished locomotives for use overseas, and the case of the Great Western line may be taken as typical. This line is sending in all 100 locomotives across the Channel, and included in this contribution are 26 engines which served overseas in 1914–1918. Most of the G. W. machines affected are of the 2301 standard goods class. They are of the 0-6-0 tender type, with coupled 5ft. 2in. wheels, and a tractive effort of 18,140 lbs. Peculiarly suited to overseas conditions, some 62 of these locomotives went overseas in the last war, the bulk going to France and Salonica.

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