Modern day narrow gauge prototypes

[EricB]

The thread on Irish railways got me to thinking (ouch). Last year my lovely wife got me a book on modeling Irish Railways. I had wanted the book because I was becoming interested in Irish narrow gauge railways since visiting Ireland and reading a book about the Tralee and Dingle Railway.

Anyway, while reading the modeling book, it wasa mentioned that Ireland has some modern narrow gauge. Not the tourist trains but actual revenue trains. Here is a link to one of them:

Bog Railway (http://www.bnm.ie/group/railways/index.htm)

The modeling book mentions another line that is used to transport rock from a quarry. I'm still trying to find some infor on that one.

Anybody else know of some modern day narrow gauge?

Eric

[BoxcabE50]

I've not paid close attention to commercial/common carrier efforts. I know they exist. Such as in Asia, Africa.

One tourist effort I have followed, elsewhere in those British Isles, is:

Welsh Highland Railway Project (http://www.bangor.ac.uk/ml/whr/)

:D

Boxcab E50

[traingeekboy]

Eric,
I can't find the link right now, but there is a good reference site listing all the narrow gauge railways of the world. I will have to dig it out for you to see. It might be a good resource for you.

[BoxcabE50]

Try this site:
World Wide Listing Of Two Foot Railroads (http://members.shaw.ca/twofooter/ww2ftrr.htm)

:D

Boxcab E50

[traingeekboy]

That's the one Boxy!

[swissboy]

Anybody else know of some modern day narrow gauge? Eric [/QB]Hi Eric,

Switzerland has got a fair number of such railroads. They are mostly 1 meter gauge which is about 4 inches more than the 3 foot types that were common in the US. There is at least one 75 centimeter gauge one which is 2 and a half feet.

Here is a link for more info in English:

http://www.rail-info.ch/index.en.html

Enjoy!

Oh, by the way, there is one model train company that specializes in these trains:

http://www.bemo-modellbahn.de

This site seems to come in German only, but much of it should be understandable anyway. Be aware that H0n3 tracks are not suitable for these models. They require 12 millimeter tracks which Bemo produces as well..

[ December 02, 2005, 12:58 PM: Message edited by: swissboy ]

[Mark4]

Originally posted by Colorado5O:
still trying to find some infor on that one.

Anybody else know of some modern day narrow gauge?

Eric [/QB]Depends on your definition of narrow gauge. There are many operational 1067mm gauge railways in various parts of the world. They are not known as narrow gauge locally as in many cases it is THE gauge. Countries that come to mind are South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia,Swaziland, Namibia, Japan, parts of Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan.

Most of these operations can be described as modern. Some are electrified (Queensland, South Africa) and carry very heavy trains (ore and coal).