Description
Narrow Gauge Enigma – The Story of Peter Rampton and his Collection X
This book tells the remarkable story of Peter John Rampton. Bringing together information and photographs from Peter’s own private archives, together with interviews with people who knew and worked with and for Peter, the story of this very private and passionate collector of narrow gauge locomotives is described in great detail.
Born in 1934 in Surbiton, Peter grew up in a family which had founded the successful Freemans mail order business. From 1948-1952 Peter boarded at Malvern College before returning to Surrey. After a few years working in the family business in Clapham, Peter changed career in the early 1960s and became a farmer, running three large farms in Surrey.
He began collecting narrow gauge locomotives in 1968 and added to the collection until his passing in 2019. He established, with his sister Ann, the Phyllis Rampton Narrow Gauge Railway Trust in 1985. He was instrumental in establishing the Brecon Mountain Railway with Tony Hills, and buying the Vale of Rheidol Railway from British Rail in 1989.
As well as his passion for railways, Peter also collected and restored AC Cars and his friend Derek Hurlock, Chairman of AC Cars, became a trustee of the Phyllis Rampton Narrow Gauge Railway Trust.
While all this was happening Peter found time to restore ‘Markwick’, his early 16th century Surrey hall house, a labour of love.
Presented here for the first time, this book forms a complete record of his collection, and details the life of this unique, enigmatic and very private man.
Hardback, 416 Pages.
