The ‘Very Last British Military Train’ set for 2019

by

THREE countries, four steam locomotives and a journey of just over 1,000 miles from Manchester to Berlin are all part of a remarkable plan in June 2019 to mark the 70th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift.

The train, billed as the ‘Very Last British Military Train’, will celebrate the role of the British armed forces in Germany since March 1945, a chapter in European history that will come to an end next year with the final withdrawal of British forces from the country.

In May 2012, the days of the British Military Train to West Berlin were recalled when light Pacific No. 03 1010 worked two return trips from Berlin to Hannover. Temporarily fitted with Royal Engineer nameplates, the ex-Deutsche Reichsbahn locomotive pauses at the former border station of Helmstedt on May 12, 2012. BEN JONES

It will be the second and final re-creation of the famous ‘British Military Train’ (the first was in May 2012), which ran from 1945 until 1990, linking Hannover and Braunschweig with West Berlin.

Article continues below…
Advert

Enjoy more Railway reading in the monthly magazine.
Click here to subscribe & save.

Organised by Cold War Express, the seven-night itinerary on June 11-18 will follow the route of the long-lost ‘North Country Continental’ from Manchester to Harwich on Day 1 – one of the classic British boat trains of the conscription era – to connect with the overnight Stena ferry to Hook of Holland.

Read more in the March issue of The RM – on sale now!


Advert
Subscribe to The Railway Magazine
Enjoy more of The Railway Magazine reading every month. Click here to subscribe.

Railway Reads

From the history of steam through to 21st century rail transport news, we have titles that cater for all rail enthusiasts. Covering diesels, modelling, steam and modern railways, check out our range of magazines and fantastic subscription offers.


Article Tags:

About the Author