The UK's contribution to getting Europe moving
as the invasion of Europe and its subsequent freeing
from NAZI tyranny as the forces of the US, UK
and of course Canada fought and died to return
the continent to democracy. Of course many of
the nations which had been overrun contributed
through their free forces and of course their
many underground fighters. However the
Mainstay of the liberation was by the
US, UK and Canadian forces
The US examples now at Howarth
USTAC 2-8-0 5820
In May this year there was a remembrance of the
D Day invasion and this year as you will now know
Both engines are being run on the KWVR Line.
A service of dedication was the start point and I
am grateful to KWVR News for the pictures below
Left to right: David Pearson (Vice President, KWVR), Terry Grayshon (Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Air-force Benevolent Fund), Major S. M. Hardy (West Yorkshire Deputy Lord Lieutenant), Rev. Peter Mayo-Smith (Rector of Haworth), Captain David A. Stracener (United States Naval Attaché to the U.K.), Major Stephen Boardman (Regimental Administrative Officer of 4 Para), Dr. Matthew Stroh (Chairman, KWVR)
Captain David A Stracener places the wreath on
USTAC 2-8-0 5820
Remembering the US Fallen
Major Stephen Boardman places the wreath on
UK WD standard 2-8-0
And salutes the fallen
As part of the planning for the invasion of Europe, the UK and US governments considered the likely motive power position. Both countries built locomotives for main line and shunting operations and the Railway is unique in having examples of all these designs. It is the only place in the world to have this distinction.
At a cost approaching £1M, which has included assistance from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the railway has, using its own staff and qualified volunteers , rebuilt its UK and US main line locomotives and they have both recently re-entered daily service. This is the first occasion since the end of World War 2 that it has been possible to see an example of each type together, let alone actually in use; although many of the US design remain in many places all over the world, there is only one survivor of the UK design, which is at Haworth.
In terms of their historical contribution and importance, the two locomotives are comparable with the Spitfire and Mustang fighters. It is correct to say that without these two designs of locomotive, now uniquely presented in use at the KWVR, the advances into Europe after D-Day would simply not have been possible.
