Where do you find 2' gauge?

Can anyone help me with some research into where you find 2' gauge railways around the world? I'm looking for examples both past and present. I'll kick the list off with:

Wales (quarries, Ffestiniog, Welsh Highland)
South Africa (but where?)
India (Darjeeling and ?)
Prussia -- as was, now Poland and Germany (examples?)
The battlefields of WWI

Suggestions, clarifications and expansions welcome, please!

CHRIS

 

60cm, 600mm, 11' 3/4'' or 2 foot can be found throughout the world. It was (and is) the standard industrial gauge.

 

I believe some surviving bord ná mona lines in Ireland are 2' guage although most are 3'


Im not sure if this is 3 foot or 2 foot but its in Tipperary.

 

Middleton Press book - 2 foot Gauge Survivors - is good.

It wasn't exhaustive by any means but has detailed studies of the following:
India - Matheran Railway, which is working after having been washed away then restored
Scindia State Railway, which is based on Gwalior and most is still working

South Africa
Alfred County Railway
Avontuur Branch
Not sure of present status, but believe that Avontuur is still working

Wales
Vale of Rheidol
Festiniog Railway

There are plenty of others in all those countries and others. Don't overlook the newcomer - Welsh Highland Railway which is to open throughout later this year!

John

 

it also depends on 'what 2ft' your after because in wales you have:

1' 11 3/4" (nominally 2')
Vale of Rheidol
Ffestioniog
Welsh highland Heritage Railway
Bala Lake Railway
Llanberis Lake Railway
Brecon Mountain Railway?
Tefi Valley Railway

2' 3" (also refered to as 2')
Talyllyn Railway
Corris Railway

2' 6" (again refered to as 2')
Welshpool and Llanfair

the only one that i could think of from south african is
Welsh highland Railway 8-[ (ment very tounge in cheek!)

AT

 

Isle of Man - Groudle Glen Railway http://www.groudleglenrailway.com/
And because one of the locos from this railway is there, Amberly Chalk Pits Museum, Sussex
http://www.amberleymuseum.co.uk/
Hope that's helpful.

 

60cm is used exensively underground in the mines as well. Some drift mines also have direct runs from the surface to the working face.

 

Most of the Queensland sugar cane systems were/are 2' gauge as well.

 

There was a lot of 2ft gauge in Maine, USA, including the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad amongst others.
http://www.srrl-rr.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_River_and_Rangeley_Lakes_Railroad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y85mRWIP20

Also, the Cripple Creek & Victor Railroad in Colorado is 2ft, and has a sister to Monarch.
http://www.steamphotos.com/gallery/6094462_zYGgu#386406104_gq3NP
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cripple_Creek_and_Victor_Narrow_Gauge_Railroad

 

British Loco works often had 2ft gauge as an internal system. Crewe and Horwich for two.
Also the various builders, Hunslet, North British, Vulcan etc would be geared up for it as well.

 

I believe some of the funicular railways on the Isle of Man were also 2' guage. (Douglas and Port Soderick, either end of Marine Drive)
The Great Laxey Mines railway is 19" if that's close enough

 

Crewe and Horwich internal systems were 1'6'' not 2'.

BR did have 2' at Chesterton Junction though!

 

and allso at poppleton near york

 

The Bord Na Mona engine in the earlier pic is 3' gauge. Built by Hunslet in 1985. The Irish peat bog ng seems to have a positive future with new lines opening for the supply of power stations.

 

i was delighted to find real Narrow Guage alive and well, and having opened the crossing gates himself, the driver opened her up in grand style for my benefit.I think he appreciated the audience!

 

and what a state they have let it fall into-i looked into taking over the line but railtrack want it for a carpark [-X

cheers

 

Perhaps easier to reverse the question. Can anyone suggest any countries that have not had a 2ft gauge railway at some time?

 

1. Steep Holm isn't a country.

2. Yes it did. 60cm (close enough to2ft), cable operated: http://www.willys-mb.co.uk/steep-holm.htm and read down.

 

If you want a nice project try this..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... SS:GB:1123

I think Estate Agents call this "Project with a lot of potential." What they don't add is "to absorb cash"