Looking for information

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Phil,
Thank you for the response.
I am a bit ignorant regarding operations in the UK and the Continent.  Did Europe have a standard railroad gauge in the years prior to WWII?  I ask because you said that the locomotives brought over from The States have migrated all over Europe.  A standard gauge makes sense but that doesn't mean it happened.
Thanks again.
Rick
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From: NW-Mailing-List <nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org> on behalf of NW Mailing List via NW-Mailing-List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2018 9:34 AM
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Subject: RE: Looking for information


Good afternoon ,



The loco was one of many produced by the major US builders for use on damaged lines. They were shipped to the UK and stored in huge secure dumps ahead of moving to main land Europe after D-Day. They were simple and effective. I think three had boiler explosions in the UK largely because they only had one water level gauge. The locos came as a shock to some of the train crew who used them on domestic freight services in the UK, particularly the roomy cab and ease of access to valve gear for lubrication and maintenance. There were mixed opinions about riding quality.



They lasted quite a long while and several are in preservation and running order/restoration. They scattered across Europe as far as Greece, Yugoslavia and Austria. One was retained by the UK forces on their internal railway system. I believe some were sent to China and wound up in North Korea. I have no idea as to what happened to them. One was a temporary guest at the Mid-Hants Railway some years ago. It got a reputation for being noisy, particularly the whistle.



Regards from this side of the pond.



Phil Mortimer



From: NW-Mailing-List [mailto:nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org] On Behalf Of NW Mailing List
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2018 1:36 PM
To: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org
Subject: Looking for information



I know that the Railroad Operation Battalions of WWII have been discussed here before.  I have a friend who is researching a relative (now passed) who served with the 720th Railroad Operation Battalion in France and later in Germany.  My friend recalls his relative talking about assisting in the liberation of a concentration camp in or near Germany near the end of the war.

Any help the group could provide about the 720th operational area or exploits would be appreciated.  I have attached a couple of photos that my friend had that shows the type of equipment that the unit used.

Many thanks.



Rick Huddle

Delaware, OH
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