{"title":"Narrow Gauge Railways","description":"\u003cp\u003eDelve into the charming world of narrow gauge railways! These books explore the history, engineering, and scenic beauty of Britain's beloved miniature railways. A must-have for railway enthusiasts and history buffs.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"welshpool-llanfair-light-railway-book-peter-johnson-9781526744777","title":"The Welshpool \u0026 Llanfair Light Railway","description":"New historical facts, good for modellers, good selection of pictures, details about locomotives and rolling stock, good index.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49577546318097,"sku":"GOR012740255","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1526744775.jpg?v=1751244476"},{"product_id":"allied-railways-of-the-western-front-narrow-gauge-in-the-somme-sector-book-martin-j-b-farebrother-9781473887633","title":"Allied Railways of the Western Front - Narrow Gauge in the Somme Sector","description":"The Somme sector of the Western Front was held by French forces until early 1916, when the British and Dominions Third and Fourth Armies moved into the northern part, before the joint First Battle of the Somme from July to November 1916\\. In 1917, with the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line, British responsibility moved further south. By early 1918 the British Third and Fifth Armies were responsible as far south as east of Noyon. In Spring 1918 the German attack and advance from the Hindenburg Line came west almost to Amiens. However the British and French Armies finally stopped the advance, and from August 1918 drove the German Army back eastwards until the Armistice on 11 November 1918.  In this book the metre gauge networks established before the First World War are examined. Then the build up of light (60cm gauge) railways, initially mainly French but later British, in 1915 and 1916, is considered, with an assessment of the contribution of these and the metre gauge lines to the war effort. With the major movements of the front line in this sector in 1917 and 1918, the response of the narrow gauge railways is considered chronologically as well as by area, in the context of overall railway policy and development. After the war the light railways contributed to the reconstruction of the devastated areas, and then in some places served the sugar beet industry. The metre gauge railways were rebuilt or repaired. The story is followed to the closure of the last of these railways in the 1960s.  This book is a companion volume to Narrow Gauge in the Arras Sector (Pen \u0026amp; Sword Transport, 2015) by the same authors. It refers also to other previous works on British and French railways in the First World War, but contains sufficient information to stand alone. It describes how to find key locations now, and where rolling stock can be seen. Some walks are included for those who wish to explore the territory.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49733271257361,"sku":"NGR9781473887633","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49779556581649,"sku":"GOR013782566","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50019444130065,"sku":"GOR010360129","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1473887631.jpg?v=1751446161"},{"product_id":"vale-of-rheidol-railway-book-peter-johnson-9781526718051","title":"The Vale of Rheidol Railway","description":"Built to carry minerals from mines in the Rheidol valley, the 2ft gauge Vale of Rheidol Railway found its niche carrying tourists to the tourist attraction at Devil's Bridge, 12 miles inland from the Cardigan coast resort of Aberystwyth. Taken over by the Cambrian Railways and then the Great Western Railway, it became the last steam railway operated by British Rail. In 1989 it became the first part of the national network to be privatised.  Now under the control of a charitable trust it is undergoing a revival that will see it become one of the leading tourist attractions in Mid-Wales.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49738142581009,"sku":"NGR9781526718051","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50564048650513,"sku":"GOR012540435","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1526718057.jpg?v=1751150088"},{"product_id":"snowdon-mountain-railway-book-johnson-peter-9781526776099","title":"The Snowdon Mountain Railway","description":"The Snowdon Mountain Railway is one of the great narrow gauge railways of North Wales, with thousands of visitors travelling to the summit of Mount Snowdon along the line each year.  This book covers the history of this historic and interesting line from its beginnings in the 1890s through to the present day.  The author Peter Johnson has been writing about narrow gauge railways for many years and has a deep knowledge of the lines in North and Mid Wales.  The Snowdon Mountain Railway is an important part of the tourist industry in North Wales and plays a vital part in providing transport in this popular and much visited area.  This volume looks at the narrow gauge railway's history and development, taking in the present and future development of this fascinating line's operation.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49740761104657,"sku":"NGR9781526776099","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50445424722193,"sku":"GOR012489118","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/152677609X.jpg?v=1751117520"},{"product_id":"allied-railways-of-the-western-front-narrow-gauge-in-the-ypres-sector-book-martin-j-b-farebrother-9781526788818","title":"Allied Railways of the Western Front - Narrow Gauge in the Ypres Sector","description":"The Ypres sector of the Western Front was held predominantly by the British and Dominions Armies from 1914 to 1918. The Ypres Salient, at the centre of this sector, was one of the most intensively fought over single locations of the First World War. By the end of 1917 the sector was full of railways, dumps, camps, and other facilities. Much was lost in the German advance in April 1918, but from September 1918 the German Army was driven eastwards until the Armistice.  Although Ypres and most of the forward areas are in Belgium, much of the support area is in northern France. In this book the metre gauge networks of both countries established before the First World War are examined, with their uses and extensions during the War. The build up of light (60cm gauge) railways from 1916 to 1918 is described, with an assessment of the contribution of both narrow gauges to the war effort.  After the war the light railways in this sector were generally used only for short term clearing up and salvage. The metre gauge railways in Belgium were rebuilt or repaired. Those in France had been less affected. The story is followed to the closure of the last of these railways.  This book is a companion volume to those on the Arras Sector (2015), and the Somme Sector (2018). It refers to other previous works on British, French and Belgian railways, especially during the First World War, but contains sufficient information to stand alone.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49753798279441,"sku":"NGR9781526788818","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50900252590353,"sku":"GOR014114746","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1526788810.jpg?v=1750760776"},{"product_id":"corris-railway-book-peter-johnson-9781399077262","title":"The Corris Railway","description":"One of Wales' oldest narrow gauge railways, the 2ft 3in gauge Corris Railway was built to carry slate from several quarries in the Dulas valley to wharves on the river Dyfi. At first forbidden to use steam locomotives or to carry passengers, it overcame these obstacles and became an essential part of the community that it served.  It was also a forerunner in encouraging tourists, offering inclusive tours to nearby Talyllyn, passengers travelling on the train and on railway-operated road services.  Taken over by the Great Western Railway in 1930, the railway was closed by British Railways in 1948, apparently for good. Fortunately, the last two steam locomotives and some rolling stock was saved by the nearby Talyllyn Railway, where it played an essential role in that railway's preservation. Eventually, the thoughts of enthusiasts turned to reviving the Corris Railway, and, after many twists and turns, the first passengers were carried on a short section in 2002.  Historian Peter Johnson has delved into many sources to uncover the intricacies of the railway's origins, its development, operation and revival.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49778701598993,"sku":"NGR9781399077262","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1399077260.jpg?v=1751369561"},{"product_id":"rebuilding-the-welsh-highland-railway-book-peter-johnson-9781473827271","title":"Rebuilding The Welsh Highland Railway","description":"THE REVIVAL AND RESTORATION of the Welsh Highland Railway is one of the greatest heritage railway achievements of the 21st Century, yet its success followed more than one hundred years of failure.  Supported by public loans, its first incarnation combined the moribund North Wales Narrow Gauge Railways, some of the abandoned works of the Portmadoc, Beddgelert \u0026amp; South Snowdon Railway and part of the horse-worked Croesor Tramway. Opened in 1923, it was closed in 1937 and the track was lifted in 1941.  Serious talk of revival started in the 1960s but restoration did not start until 1997, with the neighbouring Ffestiniog Railway at the helm, supported by generous donors and benefactors, the Millennium Commission, the Welsh Government and teams of enthusiastic volunteers.  Author Peter Johnson steers a course through the railway's complicated pre-history before describing the events, including a court hearing, three public inquiries and a great deal of controversy, leading to the start of services between Caernarfon and Porthmadog in 2011. A postscript describes post-completion developments.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50919926497553,"sku":"GOR010251125","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1473827272.jpg?v=1751371188"},{"product_id":"twenty-first-century-narrow-gauge-book-waite-james-9781473887671","title":"Twenty First Century Narrow Gauge","description":"James Waite has been a skilled railway photographer for many years. In this book he has brought together photographs of many of the world's steam-worked narrow gauge railways in the twenty-first century, concentrating mostly on views which show the scenery, both natural and man-made, through which they ran. They are accompanied by extended captions; the fruit of extensive research containing much historical information about the railways and their locos. He also offers many fascinating insights into the districts and communities which they serve, along with anecdotes about his adventures while visiting them which are often amusing and always informative.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":50987225809169,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50987226235153,"sku":"GOR010399753","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1473887674.jpg?v=1750891968"},{"product_id":"southwold-railway-1879-1929-book-rob-shorland-ball-9781473867581","title":"The Southwold Railway 1879-1929","description":"A delightful example of one of East Anglia's minor railways: A 3ft gauge railway, single track, just over 8 miles long from Halesworth (connections to London) across the heathland and marshes of East Suffolk to the seaside resort and harbour of Southwold. This book collates the research and memories of one of the last surviving passengers with maps and pictures to tell a fascinating tale of immaculate passenger service, management from a distant London office, closure at very short notice, and twenty-first century revival.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":51544735383825,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51544735416593,"sku":"GOR010128836","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1473867584.jpg?v=1751273150"},{"product_id":"corris-railway-book-peter-johnson-9781526717535","title":"The Corris Railway","description":"One of Wales' oldest narrow gauge railways, the 2ft 3in gauge Corris Railway was built to carry slate from several quarries in the Dulas valley to wharves on the river Dyfi. 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