From the Western Front to St. Kitts

A number of narrow-gauge engines were constructed during World War One by Britain to haul supplies and transport personnel to and from the front line on the Western Front. These rail systems were known as the War Department Light Railways (WDLR). Other combatants also used light railways on the Western Front.

One of the locomotives, a 'Motor Rail' Open design LR2156 (Builder's number 435 of 1917), found a new life in St. Kitts after the war. It became a workhorse on the St. Kitts narrow gauge railway pulling wagons transporting sugar cane from around the island to the central sugar factory.

It was rebuilt for this new role by being converted from 2ft to 2ft 6ins gauge by its makers and numbered 3663 of 1924. It was repatriated to the United Kingdom and was re-gauged and refurbished with a diesel engine. It has made appearances at various events and its home is presently on the Ffestiniog Railway in Wales. 

One of those obsure links between World War One and St. Kitts.

Festiniog Railway: http://www.festrail.co.uk/
For information about WDLR and other light railways used on the Western Front during World War One: http://www.wdlr.org.uk/
The sugar light railway on St. Kitts has been converted into a tourist attraction since the sugar industry closed in 2005: http://www.stkittsscenicrailway.com/