Pechot Bogie

Prior to WW1 the French army developed a 60cm gauge light railway system for logistics support for the front line troops, in particular the artillery. Under the supervision of General Pechot (in conjunction with Decauville) an entire light railway system for the French forces was developed. This system employed a standard range of locomotives and wagons, many of which carry the General's name in recognition of his effort. Both UK & USA created similar rolling stock but the Pechot name became the standard for the type of bogie used.

After the war there was a surplus of equipment which was disposed of as ex-WD stock. Two Chambers & Scott travelling cranes were purchased by Southern Region, from George Cohen & Sons, for use on the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway.



Fitted with outriggers, they were designed to lift 3ton at 15ft radius. There was little need for a breakdown crane on the L&B as most problems could be fixed with a jack, so one crane spent its life languishing in a head shunt at Pilton Yard, the other was stood on its own length of track at Lynton goods yard and used to handle heavy loads.

I have begun modelling these two, starting with the Pechot bogies. I still have to do the couplings and stencilshadows, before commencing the daunting task of texturing, but here's the progress so far.



As always, my thanks to Keith Vingoe for his support and the many L&B photos he has supplied for reference.