WHAT IS A WWII GERMAN RAILWAY TRACK DOING ON A BEACH IN GUERNSEY? скачать в хорошем качестве

WHAT IS A WWII GERMAN RAILWAY TRACK DOING ON A BEACH IN GUERNSEY?

In 1959 the States of Guernsey gave the go-ahead for a desalinisation plant to address a looming water shortage in the island. The plant required a large pipe to carry sea water to it, and this pipe with its associated electric cable for the submersible pump, was laid over a rocky beach just to the east of the Vale Castle. To assist in the layering of the pipe, the contractor found enough rails and sleepers from the small 60cm gauge German railway used during the Occupation to transport beach pebbles from the Bordeaux area to the stone crushing plant on Northside, and these were laid down next to the pipe. Although most of the German railway was taken up and used for other things, small sections of railway were stored at various places. After its construction, the railway was just left; in the last 60 years, the salt water and tidal movement has damaged and corroded much of the remaining steel rails and sleepers. They are still in place today and worth a visit … but remember to go on a low tide!