Between 1968 and his death in 2019 Peter Rampton acquired the largest collection of preserved narrow gauge locomotives and rolling stock in the UK (as well as a number of road vehicles). The first part of the book describes his early years and his three farms in Surrey, with barns which proved useful for storing his growing railway collection, but most of the book is devoted to a detailed description of each item, rolling stock as well as locomotives, and including items acquired for the Vale of Rheidol after Peter’s death. These are given in approximately chronological order of acquisition, each illustrated by photos ranging from early archive shots to the current day, and scale drawings, most by Stephen Philips. Peter’s first purchase involved the entire fleet of eight 600mm gauge locos from the Hulleras de Sabero y Anexas coal mine in Spain (for a total of £3200 – the company, glad to have sold them all, included their Directors Saloon in the sale for free). The book describes the practical difficulties of shipping them to Surrey, and how much effort went had to be devoted to negotiating the purchase of subsequent items from as far as afield as India, which didn’t always end in success, as with the 2-8-2s at Mysore Iron & Steelworks. The dilemma which Peter Rampton had in deciding what do with his growing collection is explored.  In the end he took the view that he had saved these relics but it would be for others to decide what to do with them. His role in the Brecon Mountain Railway and, of course, the Vale of Rheidol, is described, but also a number of schemes about which he was approached but decided against.

Because so much secrecy surrounded the collection it contains much unpublished information, particularly from Peter Rampton’s own papers, and therefore provides an important source of reference.