Cunningham Loco & Machine Works Posted February 19, 2020 Share Posted February 19, 2020 While you navally inclined folks might well already be aware, it has recently come to my attention that certain IJN destroyers had, of all things, narrow gauge railways on their decks! This was in the interest of moving torpedoes, and in light of its manifestly fascinating and peculiar nature, I wonder if anyone has any more details? Pictures here: https://www.amazon.com/InfiniBand-destroyer-torpedo-carrying-IMP3525/dp/B07CHXJGF9 https://www.shapeways.com/product/UHXTXL98Z/1-96-ijn-610-mm-24in-type-93-torpedo-tubes Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted February 19, 2020 Share Posted February 19, 2020 Indeed they did as shown here on my model of the Yukikaze in 1/350 scale: 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cunningham Loco & Machine Works Posted February 20, 2020 Author Share Posted February 20, 2020 Nice job of diorama-building there. Would be interesting to build a micro layout of the setup. Now we just need animated miniature sailors! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Johnster Posted February 20, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 20, 2020 (edited) That must have been fun on a winter patrol in the North Pacific... Mind, if you timed the waves and the pitching of the ship right I suppose you could have run a regular interval gravity powered shuttle service! The big German 'Leopold' type railway guns had narrow gauge railway on board to assist with shell handling; I know this because I built a kit of one for a friend who was into that sort of thing many years ago. Edited February 20, 2020 by The Johnster Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastglosmog Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 Several RN ships also had rails on their decks, for mine laying purposes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium jjb1970 Posted March 2, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 2, 2020 The concept was very common and a pragmatic and simple way to move big stuff around. Many large ships had such systems for their aircraft. The idea can still be seen on ships. I was on container ships which had trolley tracks running along the duct keels for access. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nearholmer Posted March 2, 2020 Share Posted March 2, 2020 These are siblings of the systems used on the roofs of tall buildings to allow the hoists for external maintenance cradles to be moved around. The latter are ‘trapped rail’ systems, as I think were/are some on ships, and some colliery systems, and the IRS periodically has an inconclusive definitional debate about whether or not they constitute railways at all. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold DaveF Posted March 2, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 2, 2020 Russian destroyers also had track. Thirty years ago a few were scrapped at North Blyth. North Blyth track on Russian destroyer being scrapped 19th May 90 C14468.jpg David 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted March 2, 2020 Share Posted March 2, 2020 On 20/02/2020 at 07:39, eastglosmog said: Several RN ships also had rails on their decks, for mine laying purposes. The new RN carriers apparently have a sort of rail system in their magazines. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil gollin Posted March 2, 2020 Share Posted March 2, 2020 . 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahame Posted March 2, 2020 Share Posted March 2, 2020 (edited) HMS Lord Clive was fitted with a track loop and siding to shift the shells and cordite charges when an 18" gun was installed. Edited March 2, 2020 by grahame Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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