General coverage

Narrow Gauge Railways of the British Isles by P.B.Whitehouse and J.B.Snell, David & Charles or Book Club Associates, 1984 + other editions, 160 pages

A book with some text and numerous photographs of the full range of more well known narrow gauge railways of Britain and Ireland. Lots of detail and many photos also showing the terrain and the style of the infrastructure. Lots of inspiration.

Narrow Gauge Railways - Two Feet and Under by Leslie Robertson, 1898 reprinted by Plateway Press with additions 1988, 68 pages, 

ISBN 0 9511108 4 5

Originally a paper presented the Institution of Mechanical Engineers as an argument for the use of narrow gauge. The reprint includes some lovely usable drawings of some small locomotives and lots of interesting photos of small prototypes for the smaller garden.

Narrow Gauge the World Over by P.B.Whitehouse and P.C.Allen, Ian Allan Press, 1976 and later editions, 224 pages

This is in a similar format to their 1966 book mentioned below but with no repetition of photos. Fascinating.

Rails to the Setting Sun by Charles Small, Kigei Publishing (Tokyo), 1971, 188 pages.

This book is about the small railways throughout the world which would have never been noticed but for this author including some on remote Pacific islands. A wonderland of photographs of small lines, some industrial but good garden prototypes as many are self-contained. For those with little space this book is full of inspiration. Cane, mineral, logging railways. Mostly steam and most now gone.

Round the World on the Narrow Gauge by P.B.Whitehouse and P.C.Allen, Ian Allan Press, 1966, 160 pages

A book of interest to all narrow gaugers. There are numerous photographs of lines throughout the world, many now gone, with a small amount of text to introduce each country. The photographs show clearly the type of terrain that many of these lines operated in. Lots of ideas for those who want the challenge of creating a foreign environment in their own country. Nice to go through in the armchair on a cold winter's evening!

Locomotives 

Fairlie Articulated Locomotives - Vol 1 - on the American Continent, by Donald Binns, Trackside Publications, 2001, 96 pages,

ISBN 1 900095 16 5

A book about the development and use of Fairlie type locomotives throughout North and South America. Well researched and bringing together information from areas where war and other unhelpful activities make researching the history of the railways difficult - includes the USA, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Uruguay, Venezuela, Brazil, Cuba, and others. Includes early desgins leading to the more successful designs we are aware of on both standard, narrow and broad gauges. Lots of photos and drawings some of very large locomotives.

Kitson Meyer Articulated Locomotives, by Donald Binns, Wyvern Publications, 1985, 128 pages, ISBN0 907941 10 9 and other editions

A book about the development of the early Meyer design and then the very successful development of the Kitson Meyers with some quite amazing locomotives for the South American continent well into the 20th century, including some very special giant rack adhesion locomotives for the Transandine Railway which used to haul heavy trains up 1in 12 / 14 grades over the Andes to 10000'+. Three are still in existence, although extensively rebuilt over the years. Lots of good photos and drawings.

Meyer Articulated Locomotives by Donald Binns and Gunter Koch, Trackside Publications, 1997, ISBN 1 900095 07 6

For those enthusiasts of the artciculated locomotive this is one to look at. Lots of photographs, drawings and references and considerable detail of the development and variations. Examples from across the world.

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