Roger Farnworth Railways

[rogerfarnworth]

Re: 600 mm Narrow Gauge Railway Lines Used During World War 1 in
East Africa – Predominantly in what is now Tanzania

600 mm gauge trolley lines (often known as Feldbahnen or “field railways”) played a crucial role in the East African Campaign of the First World War, particularly in German East Africa (GEA) where they were used for both industrial and military logistics. These narrow-gauge systems were used to connect coastal areas, plantations, and interior supply depots to the main standard-gauge (1,000 mm) railways, or directly to the frontline.

Quote:Numerous privately owned 600 mm gauge Sisal Plantation Railways operated throughout the coastal and Tanga regions of German East Africa. These lines linked the plantations to factories and ultimately to the port at Tanga. During the first world war these were adapted for military use and transported troops, supplies and weapons.

http://rogerfarnworth.com/2026/03/16/600...st-africa/