5924529 A narrow gauge railway engine on the desert railway, c.1917 (b/w photo) by Unknown photographer, (20th century); National Army Museum, London; (add.info.: A narrow gauge railway engine on the desert railway, c.1917 Photograph, World War One, Middle East (1914-1918), Palestine 1917. Construction began on the desert railway began in February 1916. It eventually spanned hundreds of miles across the Sinai peninsula, providing troops and supplies to the front line. From a collection of photographs taken by Corporal Joseph Egerton, Shropshire Yeomanry in Sinai and Palestine); by National Army Museum ; out of copyright.