What is Narrow Gauge?
Though seldom used on main lines, Narrow Gauge track was laid in areas where rail traffic was light, curves may have needed to be tight, and cost was a major issue. Thus, Narrow Gauge, as the name implies, track had a distance between rails of between 2 – 3 feet. Most popular in mining spurs, logging spurs, and scenic tourist rails, Narrow Gauge has a charm and characteristic very popular in Old West type layouts. There still are many prototype Narrow Gauge spurs in active use today. For modelers, the Narrow Gauge designation (a small “n” plus the prototype rail width) generally follows the Standard Gauge designation, i.e. Sn3 means S Scale – Narrow Gauge – 3 Prototype, and HOn2.5 means HO Scale – Narrow Gauge – 2.5 Prototype.
A. – Gauge is the distance measured between two rails. Narrow gauge, which the EBT operates over, is generally considered any gauge less than standard gauge (4′ 8.5″). Narrow gauge was built here because it was cheaper, and tighter curves could be made up the steep mountain grades. Dual gauge (narrow gauge within standard gauge) can be found at at the trolley museum grounds and in the Mt. Union yard.
