All NGRS members enjoy full access to the Peter Lee Library, located at the Moseley Railway Trust (MRT) site at Apedale, near Newcastle-under-Lyme in the Potteries.   This was formerly the Narrow Gauge Society Library until ownership was transferred to the MRT in 2025.

The Library is one of the world’s largest dedicated to the narrow gauge, and includes books, documents, photographs, drawings and videos.  It has grown since the early days of the Society as part of our aims of promoting interest in, issue publications on, visit, and preserve documentary artefacts related to narrow-gauge railways.

NGRS members are able to access the library collection on site by appointment/invitation, usually at weekends,  and by loan of designated materials.  There are a number of general members’ open days each year.   Our librarian, Martin O’Keeffe, and his team operate in the same way they always have done, and members are able to contact them directly.  Martin is supported by Iain Leese and Iain Logie, with a number of members assisting by scanning or filing at home (more volunteers are always welcome).

The library is happy to deal with enquiries by email (library@ngrs.org) or post; our team is very well informed on narrow gauge subjects and also have private collections and knowledge they can consult.  Because of pressure of time we cannot undertake detailed research but are always happy to point enquirers in the right direction or help them use the library.

The MRT is a company limited by guarantee and a UK registered charity no. 1100827. Its aims are to preserve and restore narrow gauge railway equipment and related items in the form of a working railway and museum which provides an educational and recreational facility for the general public, including the Trust’s own members.

The MRT has constructed a building on the Apedale site which will house a narrow-gauge museum open to the public. The MRT is keen to acquire, maintain and develop materials that support its aim to be an accredited centre of excellence for the study of narrow-gauge railways.

NGRS directors feel that this background provides far greater potential and visibility for the library, plus greater opportunities for long term development, than previously possible. MRT is ideally placed as a charity to attract grants, and also provide volunteers, particularly in handling large-scale digitisation projects.

The MRT respects any restrictions/obligations related to the library contents (e.g. data protection, proprietary information), and NGRS members are kept engaged and informed through the usual regular updates on the library/museum in “Narrow Gauge News”.

We continue to accept donations. Where we assess that items can enhance and improve the library collection, they will be transferred to MRT.

The library is branded “The Peter Lee Library” as an acknowledgement of its history within the NGRS.    It was started by Peter Lee, and maintained at his home at Golcar in Yorkshire for over 50 years.  It became obvious after Peter’s death that the library had outgrown  relocation to a member’s home, and after a brief hiatus it was moved to Apedale, where premises were leased from the MRT.

The MRT has established a Museum Management Board to oversee management, and the NGRS has a seat on the  Board.