Article

2003-02-27 Europe

Moscow to allow German Army to move through Russia

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by Steve 2003-02-27 11:34 am|| || Front Page|| [6 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Wonder if they're being routed via old Stalingrad?

Posted by Raj 2003-02-27 11:44:21|| [angrycyclist.blogspot.com/] 2003-02-27 11:44:21|| Front Page Top

#2 Does Russia have a different track gauge than Western Europe still? Seems that was one of the things that delayed resupply in WWII--even if the tracks weren't destroyed, they needed to be reset to the standard European 4' 8 1/2" gauge.

Posted by Dar Steckelberg 2003-02-27 12:43:51|| 2003-02-27 12:43:51|| Front Page Top

#3 Answered my own question with Worldwide RR Gauge Table.

Russia has about 100 klicks of "standard" 4' 8 1/2" gauge and close to 160,000 klicks of 5' "Russian gauge". Those Jerries are gonna have to shuffle some equipment around or use those expensive and heavy multi-gauge wagons.

Posted by Dar Steckelberg 2003-02-27 12:56:52|| 2003-02-27 12:56:52|| Front Page Top

#4 The trans-siberian has to switch gauges at the Chinese border crossing. It's done by lifting the wagon off the trucks with a gantry crane, and lowering it onto trucks with the right gauge. Doesn't take that long. Mind you this is for passenger trains, I don't know if it could be done for regular freight.

Posted by RW 2003-02-27 13:12:45|| 2003-02-27 13:12:45|| Front Page Top

#5 Right now Germany uses the very reliable C160 Transall (German/French production, can carry up to 16 tons or 92 passengers) planes to airlift heavy equipment. These have often been used to bring fast humanitarian aid into desaster areas (floods in Mozambique for example). They will be replaced by the new A400M built by Airbus in the next years that the German Luftwaffe and other European air forces will use.
You will be so glad to hear that one of the small panzer brought to Afghanistan are called "Wiesel"

Posted by True German Ally 2003-02-27 16:10:31|| 2003-02-27 16:10:31|| Front Page Top

#6 The Wiesel has landed! heh heh, couldn't resist.

Posted by Rex Mundi 2003-02-27 16:55:32|| 2003-02-27 16:55:32|| Front Page Top

#7 In the words of Basil Fauwlty: "What ever you do manuel,dont mention the war...."

Posted by Frank Martin 2003-02-27 20:05:04|| [varifrank.blogspot.com] 2003-02-27 20:05:04|| Front Page Top

#8 BossMan:

Thanks for replying. I was just trying to make sure I understood.

Posted by Dar Steckelberg 2003-02-28 06:53:59|| 2003-02-28 06:53:59|| Front Page Top

17:41 Colin Berry
08:40 .com
07:05 Colin Berry
06:55 raptor
08:57 liberalhawk
08:32 tu3031
07:01 raptor
06:53 Dar Steckelberg
06:04 raptor
23:32 Mike
22:08 Bomb-a-rama
20:26 tu3031
20:23 Michael
20:05 Frank Martin
19:33 Fred
19:13 Brian
18:51 mojo
18:36 RW
18:24 Anonymous
17:36 therien
17:34 therien
17:16 JDR
17:15 Wills
16:55 Wills