Author: Chris Ford
Publisher: The Crowood Press
ISBN: 9781785008009
Price: RRP £19.99 (but available at lower price)
Publication Date: 1st January 2021
Number of pages: 176
Format: Paperback
How Obtained: Purchased
Inextricably linked with the Welsh landscape, narrow gauge railways are extremely popular tourist attractions. Additionally, there are a number of reasons, including restricted space, individuality and character which make them excellent subjects for railway modellers.
Modelling the Welsh Narrow Gauge Railways by Chris Ford was published by The Crowood Press in January 2021. It provides an excellent starting point for a beginner setting out to build a narrow gauge layout.
Guidance on Creating a Convincing Narrow Gauge Railway Layout
Ford provides an introductory chapter which lays out his approach to narrow gauge modelling before providing a brief historical introduction to the prototype. Following these are four chapters describing the modelling of narrow gauge locomotives and various types of rolling stock. This involves a mix of modelling methods in several materials using kits and scratch building techniques.
Next, lineside buildings and signalling are considered before a series of chapters offering general advice on layout choice, scenery and overall construction. Ford draws the threads of the book together in a final conclusion.
This is a charming book which nevertheless takes a forthright approach. Modellers who simply want a ‘rabbit warren’ layout with the minimum of effort may be put off by the research, attention to detail and originality needed to create a model with a convincing atmosphere.
Well thought out modelling exercises include helpful tips and tricks which are delivered in panels separate from the main narrative. Although the focus is on modelling in OO9 scale, Ford makes it clear that the techniques are applicable to other scales. Consequently, pointers are provided to model suppliers and manufacturers.for materials to create realistic industrial locations.
Narrow Gauge Inspiration from South East Wales
A wealth of beautifully composed coloured photographs of layouts and rolling stock illustrate the book. These alone are sources of inspiration.
Almost all the modern day narrow gauge railways are sited in the north of Wales. But the South East corner is not left out. The excellent Brecon Mountain Railway operates a narrow gauge system with a terminus at Pant just north of Merthyr. The trackbed uses part of the disused Brecon and Merthyr standard gauge line and provides an excellent subject for a modeller of the Preservation Era.
For the more ambitious modeller wanting an authentic 19th century industrial-mineral layout, a number of narrow gauge systems existed in South East Wales. For example, the Trevil Quarry had a 3ft 9in gauge line while the Abertillery & District Water Board and Pwlldu Limestone Quarries each had 3ft 0in gauge lines. Likewise, the Stewarts and Lloyds Steelworks employed a 2ft 6in line. Some of the locomotives of these lines are featured in the book Industrial Locomotives of Gwent (see our review here). But these will really push the modellers research and scratchbuilding skills!
In Summary
This is a captivating book which outlines the effort and skills required to create an original and realistic layout. A range of techniques are presented which will be of great interest to beginners and more experienced modellers alike.
The Good
- Excellent ideas and techniques for creating a model with authentic atmosphere
- Delightful selection of high quality photographs showing what can be achieved
- Useful tips and techniques, many of which are applicable to all scales and even standard gauge modellers.
The Not So Good
- For beginners a few more tips on finishing models in areas such as paint and decaling would be welcome. Otherwise excellent models can be spoiled.
Outline Contents
- Introduction
- A Brief History
- Goods and Mineral Traffic
- Brake Vans and Non-Revenue Vehicles
- Welsh Narrow Gauge Coaching Stock
- Welsh Narrow Gauge Locomotives
- Welsh Narrow Gauge Buildings
- Signalling
- What Sort of Line?
- Looking at the Preservation Period
- Some Further Layout Pre-Building Suggestions
- Constructing a Welsh Narrow Gauge Layout
- Conclusions
About the Author: Chris Ford
Chris Ford has been a modeller since childhood starting with simple plastic and balsa wood kits. By his teens he had become almost exclusively interested in railway modelling and by adulthood he had developed a particular interest in more ‘quirky’ railway prototypes, especially the narrow gauge lines.
Chris has built many model railway layouts over the years both for private home use and for public exhibition display. Most of these layouts have featured in articles published in the model railway press and for two of them he received the Reiner Hendriksen Award for freelance modelling, which is presented each year at the Expo-Narrow Gauge model railway exhibition.
(From The Crowood Press)
Related reviews
British Industrial Steam Locomotives by David Mather
Industrial Locomotives of Gwent by Geoffrey Hill and Gordon Green
Reservoir Builders of South Wales by Harold D. Bowtell and Geoffrey Hill