In mid-October, the Vale of Rheidol Railway is set to release Narrow Gauge Enigma, a new book that describes one of Britain’s most enigmatic private narrow-gauge railway collections and the story of the man responsible.

Narrow Gauge Enigma has the subtitle The Story of Peter Rampton and his Collection X.

Peter John Rampton was heir to the successful Freemans’ mail-order business. He was born in 1934 and died in 2019, and the book is a tribute to him, providing an insight into his life and passion for narrow-gauge railways.

Peter was well-known among railway enthusiasts for his dedication to rescuing and restoring rare narrow-gauge steam locomotives and coaches from around the world.

His collection, stored in agricultural sheds on his Surrey farm and nicknamed Collection ‘X’ by those in the know, was shrouded in secrecy for decades.

To deter intruders, a web of rumours, myths, and anecdotes, and ingenious booby traps surrounded it.

After Peter died, an ambitious project to research his life and work, and record it before it became lost forever, was led by Llŷr ap lolo, the Chief Engineer and Managing Director of the Vale of Rheidol Railway.

For over a decade, author Stephen Phillips, working closely with the Vale of Rheidol, spent years researching Peter’s private archives and surveying and drawing the locomotives and coaches in his collection.

That has culminated in this 416-page hardback book, which describes his extraordinary achievements, including how he rescued forgotten engines and restored historic coaches.

The book also shows his colourful life beyond railways, especially a passion for AC Cars, and his friendship with the AC Cars chairman, Derek Hurlock.

Nick Acomb, Chair of the Phyllis Rampton Narrow Gauge Railway Trust, describes Narrow Gauge Enigma as a fascinating book where Peter’s enthusiasm and passion shine through, while Nigel Bowman of Launceston Steam Railway calls it a remarkable book about a remarkable and reclusive man.

Narrow Gauge Enigma – The Story of Peter Rampton and his Collection X will be available directly from the Vale of Rheidol Railway in mid-October, priced at £80, or £70 if ordered before then. Further information is online at www.vor.wales.

RailAdvent regularly reviews books on railway subjects, and reviews on narrow-gauge railways have included Narrow Gauge and Industrial Railways by Brian and Ian Reading, and Narrow Gauge Railways of Saxony by John Woodhams.