A narrow-gauge railway transforms Crete

Crete's roads could not efficiently support heavy industry, so the scenario starts with a compact railway linking northern ports, southern resources, and maintenance facilities. A small narrow-gauge line historically existed near Heraklion, while surplus First World War track and compact articulated locomotives make a wider postwar network plausible. A roughly two-foot gauge could handle the island's steep terrain while moving unusually heavy loads for its size. The line would carry minerals and agricultural goods in peacetime, then concrete, troops, tank parts, and armoured trains in war. Railway workshops would also supply the cranes and heavy equipment needed to keep vehicles such as Matilda tanks operational. Distributed light-maintenance facilities would give the island resilience as well as economic development.