TIMELINE OF... MILITARY RAILWAYS

Rail transportation and artillery played an important part in military planning from the mid-19th century to the Cold War

PRUSSIAN DEVELOPMENTS

Powered rail transport is a relatively new concept and soon put to military use. Prussia transports soldiers and materiel by railway to Kraków in 1846. It then transports troops by rail during the First Schleswig War against Denmark.

GRAND CRIMEAN CENTRAL RAILWAY 01

The British build a military railway during the Crimean War to supply Allied forces at the Siege of Sevastopol. Headquartered at Balaklava, the line eventually runs for 23km (14 miles) and plays a crucial role in helping the Allies defeat the Russians at the siege.

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR 02

Railways play a major role in this conflict. They are used by both Union and Confederate forces as a major logistical tool and become military targets. Railways even have a direct effect on battles such as the First Battle of Bull Run.

SECOND ITALIAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE

The French Army transports tens of thousands of soldiers into Italy to fight the Austrians. The French use of trains prompts the Austrians to destroy the Valenza railway bridge in Piedmont. This is possibly the first military action against a rail network.

SECOND BOER WAR 03

The British use railways built for South African mineral wealth as logistical routes against the Boer republics. Boer commandos often attack trains, demolish bridges or sabotage rail lines, with the British responding with armoured trains.

WORLD WAR I 04