Railway Operating Division

[1] The work was carried out by former employees of the London and North Western Railway.

During the First World War, the Railway Operating Division were assisted in their duties by other army units.

It later became a Pioneer battalion and, owing to the large number of railwaymen available, became a Railway Pioneer battalion in October 1916 working under General Headquarters (GHQ) Railway Construction Troops.

[2] A number of Railway Construction Companies existed during the great war.

The companies built standard gauge railways in combat zones on multiple fronts during the war.