The Schneider tractor, A NEW TOOL FOR MILITARY 60CM GAUGE

The experience gained during the Champagne campaign convinced the French general staff of the major role that could be played in the war by 60cm gauge railways. However, this required a modernization of the system imagined by Prosper Péchot.

Éric Fresné

The 1915 offensives demonstrated the difficultes linked to concentrating the ammunition required for artillery preparation. As road transportation displayed its limitations, 60cm gauge was shown to be essential to move across the area separating the standard gauge railheads from the front. The generalized use of 60cm gauge field railways implied ordering steam locomotives and wagons from the beginning of 1915 and defining new types of stock. As the plumes of smoke emitted by the locomotives were easily spotted by the enemy, the general staff decided to use internal combustion engines. The Schneider company one of the French wartime industry heavyweights, was selected to design the Artillery's first locotractor. LG OR LG3 This machine was built jointly by Schneider and by its affiliate SOMUA (Société d'Outillage Mécanique et d'Usinage d'Artillerie). A…

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Voie Libre International (Digital) - 1 Issue, No.111

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