During the run-up to the Overlord operation there were several armoured specials which presented problems to the railway. For reasons of size or weight, the funnies were not only exceptional in the design but also special in the transportation to the embarkation ports. The Churchill Crocodile combination was a particular challenge. The armoured trailer carried the inflammable fluid and weighed 4 tons. The fluid was under pressure in the tank and had to be permanently connected to the tank by a fully articulated and armoured coupling. As a unit the combination weighed 32 tons (Churchill = 28 tons + trailer = 4 tons) and that exceeded the load 30 ton limit of the standard warflat. Although the warflat should be able to accommodate the length it appears that the weight distribution would have been out of limits. As a beachhead busting tool the Crocodile was a key weapon for the landings and it was important to get sufficient numbers to the ports. However there was a problem in loading the combination onto a single wagon. In the reports and diary of Colonel CO Screen at the IWM archives, the problem is reported on the 21May1944. This exercised the minds of the railway staff and army logistics team for a whole ten days for the next report states that tests at Farnborough had proved a workable solution. The loading directions for the railway staff were to load tank onto the end of one warflat with the trailer on the end of the adjacent wagon. The model depicts the trailer on a ramp wagon. The combination is looking authentic, but work is still needed to balance the wagon pair to allow reliable running. The articulated joint allows the wagons to go round curves but the 4 wheeled ramp wagon needs more weight.
I always thought that tanks transported on the railway at that time was done by Warwell cars, that would mean the armoured trailer would travel seperatly and then be married up at the staging area. May be worth asking the National Railway Museum (NRM) if they have any photos or info on how they transported them
Durin As a unit the combination weighed 32 tons (Churchill = 28 tons + trailer = 4 tons) and that exceeded the load 30 ton limit of the standard warflat. Although the warflat should be able to accommodate the length it appears that the weight distribution would have been out of limits. Hi, The warflats were capable of carrying in access of the 40 ton loaded weight of a Churchill. Only problem was having to remove her louvres as she exceded the railway's weight standards. Here's a photograph of our tanks being loaded aboard Great Western Railway flats for the regiment's move from the west to Norfolk in 1942. http://northirishhorse.net/miscellany/GWR.jpg The Mark VIIs delivered by 21st Tank Brigade's Forward Delivery Squadron in Italy came by road as did the trailers, however, the latter came seperately being hooked up later. Cheers, Gerry
Gentlemen, Thanks for your comments. The information in my post was taken directly from official correspondence which available at the IWM archives. With regard to the load limits we should remember that the early warflats and warwells were had load limits of 30 tons and were only upgraded to 40 and 50 tons later in 1943-44. I have copied the specification for AFV loads from my earlier post on my model of the Overlord Military train which clearly specifies the conveyance of Churchills with either bridges or trailers on two wagons. The specification also identifies which AFV's have to be loaded onto low floor wagons. In respect to the Crocodile combination it is my understanding that the articulated joint for the trailer was a permanent coupling which could be disconnected in the field. And bearing in mind the highly inflammable liquid contents under pressure in the trailer it probably would be unwise to do so. However, it would be interesting to see the full details of why the combination could not be carried on one wagon, and if overall weight was not the issue then perhaps it was length or weight distribution. AFV Loading Wagon Comments Matilda, Covenanter Crusader, Valentine, Light tanks, Light Armoured cars pair Warflat Churchill, Cavalier, Centaur, Cromwell, OP Tanks single Challenger Comet na Not rail carried US Grant, Lee , Sherman, SP 25pdr Ram single Warwell Churchill AVRE single Warflat All attachments removed Churchill Bridge Layer na Not by rail Valentine / Covenanter Bridge Layer See comments x3 rectanks or x3 Warflats Two tanks on one wagon, their bridges on another 2 wagons Crocodile trailers See comments warflat Loose chocked on one wagon and connected to tank on next wagon, 17pdr Valentine SP pair Low well Floor less than 2’2” M7 SP 105mm, M10 3”, M10 17pdr, na Not by rail M10’s were carried as exceptional loads, on well wagons with 2’2” height from rail. Medium Armoured car, Armoured Command Vehicle pair Warflat or Rectank
Ahh, the wonders of the internet. This email from Sir Lawrence New confirms that it was a length problem to transport the Churchill Crocodile + trailer on a 40 foot warflat. But also I have rechecked my data and found that the Churchill weighed 38.5 tons, and the trailer was actually 6.4 tons, making a total of 44.9 tons, so there were probably concerns over the weight distribution as well. Dear David A very brief response. The Churchill Crocodile was a difficult animal to transport by rail. It was wider than some European rail tunnels etc could tolerate without the side sponsons being removed. When connected to its trailer it was too long to go on to most rail flats. There may have been some rail flats that were of sufficient length but I would guess not many readily available when and where needed. Yours aye Laurence New Sir Lawrence commanded the 4th RTR in the early 1970's. Career: Commissioned Royal Tank Regiment (RTR) 1952; regimental service Hong Kong, Germany, Malaya, Borneo; Commanded 4 RTR 1971-73; staff appointments included Bde Maj 20 Armd Bde 1969-70; Def and Mil Attaché Tel Aviv 1974-77; Col General Staff (GS) MOD 1977-79; Brig GS (Int) 1980-82; Asst Chief General Staff 1983-84; Asst Chief Defence Staff 1984-85. Colonel Commandant Royal Tank Regiment 1986-93.
