HISTORIC RAILWAY MODELLING

The making of historical model railway layouts is a popular aim of many modellers. The author gives us the benefit of his 50 years' experience by analysing the whole process from initial idea to final implementation with all the essential stages shown. 'As I watched, a train of Midland Railway Crimson Lake coaches passed over Monsal Dale Viaduct, and I commented to my host, David White, on the superb craftsmanship which had gone into the making of those coaches.' They were made by David Jenkinson, historian, publisher, broadcaster, teacher and master modeller. Much of the book is autobiographical rather than a bossy how-to, beginning with establishing a modelling strategy, the essential inspiration, the value of discrimination, setting objectives and isolating essentials and research. Getting down to practicalities looks at train formations and stock planning rather than mixing stock from different companies and periods and then wondering what went wrong. There are superb figure drawings like gradient profiles, images showing traffic patterns, planning charts, system maps and layouts like the high level view of Marthwaite on the final 7mm layout with a local about to depart for Dent Head. 'Even a 10ft radius curve through the platform seems to be less severe than it actually is.' There are river crossings, passenger expresses, tandem and three-way turnouts, slip points, stations, goods yards and trains in all their colourful liveries and even a design for a small town terminus and junctions. Superbly well illustrated throughout with archive photographs, colour plates and dozens of figures and drawings, this is a special look at our rich railway heritage in model form. A rare 2001 Pendragon Partnership publication. 176 large pages.