Narrow Gauge Clearing Rubble in Kessel, 1945-46

A facebook page I follow has been releasing lots of old LIFE magazine photos, and these caught my eye. It's immediately post-WW2 and shows the citizens, along with the US Army, clearing the city of Kassel of rubble and debris, and beginning the rebuilding of the city.

They have laid what look to be extensive narrow gauge lines throughout the city, which are being worked by a mixture of steam and diesel locomotives.

Note also the rather enterprising lady who has made herself an apron out of camo material! Waste not, want not....

Username 'Nearholmer' on RMWeb (where I also posted this) added:
There is at least one book devoted to the subject of trummerbahnen, and there is a display replicating one in a museum in Germany. Basic info here https://de.m.wikiped...iki/Trümmerbahn

 

In several German cities, including Berlin, the tallest "hills" nowadays are the ones built by these rubble-clearing projects.

 

As one of the pictures suggests, this is "Kassel" rather than "Kessel"

Ironically, I think Kessel means "boiler" or "kettle".

PH

 

Interesting set of pics. Loving the fish shop that somehow survived the destruction.

 

Ah yes, my bad.

 

"Interesting set of pics. Loving the fish shop that somehow survived the destruction."

Unlike the one in Liverpool