Narrow-gauge railway

Narrow gauge railways are railroads with track spaced at less than the standard gauge. In practice, the economics of narrow gauge dictate a gauge of approximately three feet or less. The one-meter gauge, or in the US three foot gauge, are most common, although many other widths are seen. Narrow gauge railroads cost less to build because they are lighter in construction, using smaller cars and locomotives as well as bridges, tunnels and curves. Narrow gauge is thus often used for mountain railways. Likewise, the lighter construction suits narrow gauge to timber work where roads must be moved after the work is done.

Famous narrow gauge railways include the Festiniog in Wales and the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch railway in Kent, England. The French National Railways run a considerable number of meter-gauge lines, as does the Southern Railway of India. Many African and Asian nations have narrow-gauge lines, as do numerous island nations.

In the United States a major narrow gauge railway system was built in the mountains of Colorado by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. Small remnants of that system are tourist attractions which run in the summer, the Toltec and Cumbres railway which runs from Antonito, Colorado in the San Luis Valley to Chama, New Mexico; and the train which runs in the San Juan Mountains between Durango and Silverton.

Many narrow gauge railways are in Switzerland.

There were considerable two-foot gauge lines in the Maine forests early in the 20th century.. Some cars and trains from these lines are now on display at the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum in Portland, Maine after having spent years on the Edaville Railroad on Cape Cod in Massachusetts.