Hi, I'm Megan Hyatt Miller, and this is lead to win.

My dad and I are on sabbatical for the month of July.

For this month, we've hand-picked a few of the most popular episodes

of the podcast for you to enjoy.

Each week, another favorite. So sit you to enjoy. Each week another favorite.

So sit back and enjoy this encore episode

and we'll be back with more great content in August. Lead to Win is brought to you by Leader Box, a monthly reading experience curated by

Leaders for leaders.

Learn more at leaderbox.com.

In the summer of 1914, Europe was on the brink of war.

After the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the major powers mobilized millions of

soldiers and tons of material in preparation for the conflict we know is World War I. In those days the world ran on steam power.

It would be steam locomotives that delivered armies and ammunition to the front lines.

At the start of the war, some 90 trains a day arrived at Southampton, England, loaded with

men and supplies bound for the continent.

On August the 18th alone 20,000 men, 1,200 horses,

210 bicycles, 20 cars, and 600 other vehicles were unloaded there all on their way to the front.

Over the next four years Britain would feed two and a half million men into the war effort

all transported by rail.

But there was a problem with a steam locomotive, smoke. Plumes of white exhaust from the coal-fired engines were visible for miles, making any train near the front, an easy target for enemy

guns.

What could be done?

...