"Although it could be concluded that this is a work by railway enthusiasts for railway enthusiasts this would be understating the quality and overall usefulness of this superlative work which offer much to all with an interest in WW1 and logistics and supply. Very highly recommended and I look forward to reviewing the other volumes!"

Martin Willoughby, The Wessex Branch of the Western Front Association

Very well researched and written work. Interesting read, you learn something every time the book is picked up, well done.

5 Stars!

Amazon Customer

As featured in

Voie Etroite (volume 272), March 2016

An excellent idea to put the well-known wartime railway usage into a wider context. The result is a most interesting read, with ample inspiration for modellers.

Continental Modeller, July 2016

The authors have plainly researched their subject diligently and the resultant book is packed full of facts. They have clearly become completely at ease with the geography of the area they are writing about and, though they have done their best with maps and descriptions, your reviewer, not quite so familiar with the details, found it useful to have a reasonably large scale map of northern France to hand as he began reading...

... The Farebrothers have been well served by their publisher whose production values are high and they have presented a great deal of information in a manner that is readable but requires close attention.

Ffestiniog Railway Heritage Journal – Adrian Gray

The book's subtitle, Allied Railways of the Western Front, clearly intended to serve additionally as the title of a series to which this book will belong, and the promise of a complementary volume on the Somme sector, already in progress, indicate that this volume is the beginning of a massive undertaking.
The Farebrothers have researched their subject widely and in depth, in France and in England, in archives and on the ground. The result, so far, is this large format, hard bound volume, packed full of information, produced to the highest standards, including some 200 photographs and many maps and diagrams, most drawn especially for this book.

Philip Pacey - Narrow Gauge News 333 - March 2016

It is not often that books on trains in the Great War are published, or indeed that I read them, but Martin J.B. & Joan S. Fairbrother’s Narrow Gauge In The Arras Sector is an excellent addition to our knowledge of the war at Arras. The Great War not just about bullets and bayonets, it was a war where the winner was the one who master logistics and the British use of trains was all part of the Allied Victory in 1918. The book looks in detail at the railway structure pre-1914 and then how it was expanded and adapted during the war. It is profusely illustrated with many rare images. The numerous excellent network maps show how extensive the use was by 1918. A fascinating ‘Things To See and Do Now’ chapter is also included which helps the battlefield visitor find some most unusual sites, not normally considered. A most unusual and superbly researched book for both the railway and Great War buff.

WW1 Centenary - Paul Reed

For anyone with a serious interest in French narrow-gauge railways in general, and the light railways of the First World War in particular, this comprehensive and thoroughly researched book is a must-have and will amply reward the time taken to read it thoroughly.

Very highly recommended.

SNCF Society Journal No.161