Light Railway

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4. Questions - Got a question about Light Railway then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

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6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Light Railway wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Light Railway then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Light Railway site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Light Railway, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Light Railway, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

Light railway refers to a railway built at lower costs and to lower standards than typical "heavy rail". This usually means the railway uses lighter weight track, and is more steeply graded and tightly curved to avoid civil engineering costs. These lighter standards allow lower costs of operation at the price of slower operating speeds and lower vehicle capacity.

The precise meaning of the term varies by geography and context.

United States In the United States, "light railway" generally refers to an urban area or interurban streetcar system.

United Kingdom In the United Kingdom "light railway" refers to a railway built or operated in the United Kingdom under the 1896 Light Railways Act although the term is used more generally of any lightly built railway with limited traffic, often controlled locally and running unusual and/or ancient rolling stock. A light railway is properly distinct from a tram which operates under differing rules and may share a road.

The term 'Light railway' is generally used in a positive manner. Perhaps the most well known caricature of a light railway is the film The Titfield Thunderbolt, made in 1953 as many of the light railways and other small branch lines were being closed. Despite the great public affection for these railways very few were successful. H.F. Stephens was pivotal in the light railway world and tried many techniques to make light railways pay, introducing some of the earliest railcars and also experimenting with a rail lorry built out of an old model T ford. Nevertheless most light railways never made much money and by the 1930s were being driven out of business by the motor car. Although World War II provided a brief increase in the importance of these railways very few lasted beyond the early 1950s. Those that survive today are generally heritage railways.

Industrial railways Many industrial railways were built to light railway standards. These may be of light and small construction, although the molten-steel carrying wagons in a steelworks can be several hundred tonnes in weight.

Panama The Panama Canal used a heavy network of standard gauge temporary railways in its construction to move vast quantities of spoil from the excavations to the dams that were constructed.

Military railways Light railways have been used in several wars, especially before the advent of the combustion engine and motor car. These have often connect depots some distance behind the front line with the front lines themselves. Some armies have Divisions of Engineers trained to operate trains. Sometimes they operate a branch line of there own so that they can practice track and bridge building ( and demolition ) without disturbing trains on the main line.

War Department Light Railways
Longmoor Military Railway - built by the Royal Engineers in order to train on railway operations on it. It closed in 1969.
Central Asian Military railway
Feldbahn - German Military railway