This is the first comprehensive, extensively illustrated account of the growth and decline of American narrow gauge railroading, a singular and still not fully understood episode in the history of American transportation. The "narrow gauge fever" that swept U.S. railroads in the 1870s and 1880s was based on economic error. The expected capital savings were not realized in prac tice and the cost of reloading freight at junctions with the standard gauge net work was excessive. By 1900 most of the lines had either been converted to stan dard gauge or abandoned. Today usually thought of as limited to mountain country (the Colorado network was the largest and longest-lived), narrow gauges once ran in 44 states: in 1885 it was possible to travel from Ohio to Texas by narrow gauge. UCLA economist Hilton's superb study documents the rise and fall of the industry in authoritative detail. Part 1 sur veys the economics and technology of the movement as a whole, and Part 2 offers individual histories of 350 companies. Highly recommended for informed lay persons and specialists. -Paul B. Cors, Univ. of Wyoming Lib., Laramie Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. “Only a handful of books in the field of railroad history have become the standard reference work in a particular area. . . . To those select volumes should be added American Narrow Gauge Railroads . . . . This is an excellent work, and the author and publisher both deserve accolades.”— Railroad History “Every so often, a book is published that deserves to be called a landmark. . . . American Narrow Gauge Railroads is probably the first of such caliber for the ‘90s.”— Railfan and Railroad “It should be hailed as a classic. . . . A book that belongs on the shelves of any person who cares about railroad history.” — National Railway Bulletin “A treat to browse through. . . . An authoritative documentation of a long-gone era, the book brings to life ancient steam locomotives, railroads, and rolling stock that have mostly disappeared without trace.”— New York Times Book Review “Only a handful of books in the field of railroad history have become the standard reference work in a particular area. . . . To those select volumes should be added American Narrow Gauge Railroads. . . . This is an excellent work, and the author and publisher both deserve accolades.”—Railroad History “Every so often, a book is published that deserves to be called a landmark. . . . American Narrow Gauge Railroads is probably the first of such caliber for the ‘90s.”—Railfan and Railroad Used Book in Good Condition