To many, the narrow gauge belongs entirely to the past; to others it runs a poor second to the glamour and action of main line standard gauge steam. To such critics – and main gauge enthusiasts alike – this book is dedicated. The narrow gauge has never died: even after the Lynton & Barnstaple, Leek & Manifold and others had closed, there was the industrial narrow gauge. Then came preservation. Then much of the industrial motive power was used to create a new narrow gauge era still in the process of evolving in stately homes and gardens, and along, even, the track beds of former standard gauge lines. The narrow gauge phoenix has risen again.