FOR those who continue to be fascinated by the railway and enjoy a nostalgic ride to reminisce about a mode of transport that had so much influence on the economic shape of the county, then 'Images of Industrial & Narrow Gauge Railways — Devon' is just the ticket.

Maurice Dart, originally from Plymouth and who now lives in St Austell, was raised within the sound of a steam whistle of the busy Devonport Dockyard line and his love for all things 'railway' shines out from the pages.

The book, which has a 'sister' volume covering Cornwall, appears as part of the popular and growing series featuring photographs from the author's collection.

Here are rare photographs, many of them taken by the author, of these important local lines which served ports, military installations, industrial sites and aspects of tourism in Devon.

Many of these railways have passed into history, although some survive in part as preserved lines, which are also included.

Each photograph is accompanied by the author's own text and unique reminiscences of this important part of Devon's rail system.

Now in his eighties, from a boy Maurice Dart has travelled throughout much of Southern Britain armed with a camera.

Thankfully these included many in West Devon —including a whole pictorial section on the mining railway of Morwellham Quay.

Also of local interest is the working locomotives at Bere Ferrers station and quarry railways such as those at Meldon and Dewerstone.

There are some intriguing photos of what remains of the four 'target' railway tracks at Okehampton Army Camp ranges; the earliest track dated back to the Boer War and was known as Okehampton Target Tramway, where a 1ft 6in gauge line ran East Mill Tor across the moor to the valley of the East Ockment river.

Priced at £19.99 the book, published by Halsgrove, is available from local stockists or from Halsgrove Direct on 01823 653777. ISBN 9781 84114 8601.