In the latter part of the 19th century and in the early part of the 20th, Ireland was particularly well endowed with narrow gauge railways. Most were built at the behest of the Congested Districts Board, a government agency set up to relieve distress in the poorer, more remote parts of the country. This book provides an account of these lines, their origins and history. It was because the lines were constructed in the more underdeveloped parts of the country that the cheaper narrow gauge option was chosen. It made more sense to avoid the very heavy capital costs of building standard gauge lines in parts of Ireland which offer little prospect of a return on the investment. Even at that, the narrow gauge lines were often not commercial. Plans are now afoot to re-open the Tralee and Dingle and the Ballybofey to Donegal line through Barnesmore Gap as tourist attractions.
- ISBN10 0717120627
- ISBN13 9780717120628
- Publish Date 30 April 1993
- Publish Status Cancelled
- Out of Print 4 July 2008
- Publish Country IE
- Publisher Gill
- Imprint Gill & Macmillan Ltd
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 112
- Language English