Peter Johnson is a historian specialising in North Wales's railways, particularly its many narrow gauge lines. Writing nearly 40 books since 1984, he brings together threads from many original sources to produce informed and readable accounts of their histories and development.

A retired local government officer, he was editor of the Ffestiniog Railway Society's quarterly magazine from 1974 until 2003 and a director of the society for 11 years. In 2003 he was appointed the Festiniog Railway Company's official photographer.

From 1991-2019 he also contributed a narrow-gauge railway news column to one of the national railway magazines. This is his fourth book for Pen & Sword Transport, following two on the Festiniog Railway and one on the Welsh Highland Railway.