The term Narrow Gauge is used for a track gauge narrower than the 4' 8½" (1435mm) of standard gauge railways. Most existing narrow gauge railways have gauges of 3' 6" (1067mm) or less. The reasoning behind using a narrower gauge is cost, being cheaper to build & operate than standard gauge and, therefore, particularly suited for mountainous regions, and places where standard gauge trains would need tunnels or bridges.

Narrow gauge railways also have particular use in mines and other areas where smaller size is beneficial, and many were principally industrial railways as opposed to general carriers. Regular uses for these industrial narrow gauge railways were mining, quarrying, construction and tunnelling.

The more famous narrow gauge railways in Britain include the Ffestiniog, Talyllyn and the Welshpool & Llanfair Railway.

Of all the major manufacturers, Peco is the one who have the widest product range devoted to narrow gauges.  Peco produce track for most narrow gauge scales, and also manufacture loco kits for N-6.5 and OO9.

Kirkcaldy based company Parkside offer a good range of rolling stock kits in OO9 scale for different locations and periods, and a selection of Tralee & Dingle Light Railway wagons in both OO9 and HOm scales.

Coopercraft have a small selection of rolling stock kits in SM32 scale alongide their O and OO scale selections.  Coopercraft produce all of their range from tooling that is machined in-house, making for some very finely moulded items.

German manufacturer LGB is one of the best known brands in any model railway scale.  Their models are in 1:22.5 scale and use a track gauge of 45mm and this fantastic range covers european and North American locos and rolling stock with digital or conventional control, signals and figures.

Another G Scale brand, Aristocraft have a range of ready-to-run locomotives.

Bachmann is another big name in the world of model railways.  In addition to their OO Scale range, they also produce G and On30 Scales.

Fleischmann's Magic Train range of O-16.5 Continental outline is a good way to start in narrow gauge, with Start Sets, locos and rolling stock available with the usual quality one expects from this renowned German manufacturer.

Whilst Springside's main focus is OO scale kits, the range of O-16.5 0-4-0 locomotive kits are a fine addition to any layout in this scale.

Roco has an excellent range of HOe, with Digital Start Sets, Locomotives and Rolling Stock in Continental outlines.