Association of

Shrewsbury

Railway Modellers

The Art of Modelling Welsh Narrow Gauge Railways - George Williamson.

 

This was a splendid talk about the modelling of Welsh narrow gauge railways. In the first half there was a thorough and fascinating introduction to the subject, followed after the break by a practical demonstration of scenic modelling. George provided interesting background to his interest in narrow gauge, in particular his very strong links with the Talyllyn Railway including volunteering and footplate.duties. The presentation was structured into the following sections: What is narrow gauge?, Scales and gauges, Modelling techniques, Notable layouts, The human side and The future of narrow gauge.

 

The rationale for narrow gauge railways was explained in terms of ease of building and lower operating costs, especially in areas where terrain made it difficult to build standard gauge. The contrast between standard and narrow gauge was effectively provided by a comparison of a Quarry Hunslet and Black 5.

 

Within the narrow gauge world, variation in scale and gauge was discussed ranging from the 15inch Romney Hythe to the 3 foot of the Isle of Man Railway. Differing scales had Implications for modelling techniques. The loading gauge of the Welsh Highland Railway in the vicinity of Rhyd Ddu, for example, is very different from that of the Ffestiniog Railway with its tight clearances.

 

The importance of modelling narrow gauge accurately and with attention to detail was highlighted, for example, even with Welsh slate there are wide variations in colour from the blue purple of Penrhyn to the classic grey of Bryn Eglwys. With regard to the success of the Nant Gwernol model, the railway is dwarfed there by the surrounding landscape and realistically modelling the foliage is crucial. George used a drone to scan the site and highlighted how Autumn is a particularly difficult season to model. Materials from a variety of suppliers were used including WW Scenics and Modelu with leaf scatter even imported from Spain. Attention to detail was crucial such as accurate grouping of locomotives, using appropriate train lengths and looking carefully at platform heights and styles.

 

Examples of notable models of narrow gauge lines were highlighted:

Gryndene Halt (Sussex Downs Group), Scaca Fell (Tom Foster) Melin Dolryhyd (Stuart Taylor), County Gate (John de Frayssinet), The Yard (Martin Coombs) and Corrish (George Williamson). There is good coverage of these models online.

 

George commented how narrow gauge modellers are well supported by a variety of societies including the16mm, 7mm and 5.5mm associations plus the 009 Society. Large and small suppliers support the hobby including Rapido, Bachmann, Peco, Kato, Westcliff Works and Brooks 3D. Looking towards the future, the availability of resin printers are a great advantage for narrow gauge modelling, reducing the need for scratch building.

 

The second part of the evening was George providing a practical demonstration of scenic work using a diorama which included sections of railway and road set on a hillside. There was much useful discussion about producing trees, foliage, vegetation and rock faces which have realism. Photographs provide clearest insight into the techniques used but some of the points covered included:

 

· Starting the diorama with a black base coat

· Track, ballast and sleepers need careful weathering including using black wash enamel

· Hairspray is an effective alternative to adhesive

· Different colours of leaf scatter add realism (Green Stuff World)

· Spray across the diorama, not directly down

· Using poly fibre for trees, vegetation, undergrowth, etc.

· How to make individual species such as larch and blackthorn

· The importance of using earth brown

· The use of a black wash to weather engines

· The value of trying out new things, some of which work and some which do not.

 

For more in depth information about the techniques described by George, it is best to consult his range of excellent YouTube programmes such as Modelling Woodland Scenics and Trees. Thank you George for such an excellent and inspiring evening about narrow gauge railway modelling.

 

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvzR9HnXhsaq6yr0d4IjLPJtal4kY_Ilz&si=QwPbStEgMFfpjYHc

 

                                              

Older meeting reports.

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Meeting 7th September 2022.

What's on your workbench.

Meeting 6th July 2022.

Visit to Telford Steam Railway.

Meeting 1st June 2022.

Building coaches in plastikard - Geoff Kent.

Meeting 4th May 2022.

Photographing model railways - Dan Evason.

Meeting 6th April 2022.

Members models

Meeting 2nd March 2022.

A mini exhibition.

Meeting 2nd February 2022.

The Story of Triang Trains- Dave Angell.

Meeting 5th January 2022.

10 minute presentations over Zoom.

Meeting 1st December 2021

Christmas social, bring & buy and quiz.

Meeting 3rd November 2021.

Creating brickwork and stonework. Tim Lewis and Nick Coppin.

Meeting 6th October 2021.

Weathering with ink washes and dry brushing - Andrew Vaughan.

Meeting 1st September 2021

Covid projects / whats on your workbench.

Meeting  4th March 2020

A career on the railway - David Maidment

Meeting 5th February 2020

Practical demonstrations from members.

Meeting 8th January 2020

Whats on your workbench

Meeting 4th December 2019

Christmas social.

Meeting 6th November 2019.

Signalling and a virtual tour around a local signalbox - Ian Payne.

Meeting 2nd October 2019

The Lynton & Barnstable Railway - Christopher Duffell.

Meeting 4th September 2019

The Rhymney Railway with Jonathan David.

Meeting 3rd July 2019

Garden railway visit.

Meeting 5th June 2019

Trackwork - Stephen Duffell, Gordon Woods, Tim Lewis.

Meeting 1st May 2019.

Modelling buildings in Plastikard - Geoff Kent.

Meeting 3rd April 2019.

AGM followed by the results of the diorama challenge.

Meeting 6th March 2019.

Modelling Swiss Railways - Dave Gotliffe.

Meeting 6th February 2019.

Members projects evening.

Meeting 9th January 2019.

Recording and reporting the narrow gauge world - Andrew Charman.

Meeting 7th November 2018.

Creating a diorama - Andrew Vaughan.

Meeting 4th October 2018.

Scenic modelling and backscenes - Mike Raithby.

Meeting 5th September 2018.

Authentic Model Railway Operation - Martin Nield.

Meeting 4th July 2018.

Visit to a members garden railway.

Meeting 6th June 2018.

Railways associated with mining in Shropshire - Michael Shaw.

Meeting 2nd May 2018.

First Experiences of Fitting DCC Sound to Diesel and Steam Locomotives – Gordon Woods

Meeting 4th April 2018.

AGM followed by "what's on your work bench"

Meeting 7th March 2018.

Resistance soldering - Phil Rowe and Radio contol - Dave Evans & Ian Payne

Meeting 7th February 2018.

Railways  of Western Australia – Stephen Duffell.

Meeting 3rd January 2018.

Designing and painting brass models.

Meeting 1st November 2017.

Megapoint controllers - Dave Fenton.

Meeting 4th October 2017.

Narrow gauge in the public eye - Trevor Hughes

Meeting 6th September 2017.

Bring-along-a-Model

Meeting 5th July 2017.

Garden railway visit.

Meeting 7th June 2017.

Railways and Durham City - “a journey to a model" - Gordon Woods

Meeting 3rd May 2017.

The Coalport Branch - Neil Clarke

Meeting 1st March 2017.

The Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway.

Meeting 1st February 2017.

Mamod steam - Mike Wakefield.

Meeting 4th January 2017.

Members project night (What's on your bench).

Meeting 2nd November 2016.

3 short presentations by members 

Meeting 5th October 2016.

Live steam models in 0,00 & 009 scales - Brian Caton.

Meeting 7th September 2016.

SGM and members projects.

Meeting 6th July 2016.

Garden Railway visit.

Meeting 1st June 2016.

The County Donegal Railway - Eric Challoner.

Meeting 6th April 2016.

A selection of members projects.

Meeting 2nd March 2016.

The Importance of Forward Planning when building a Model Railway - John Barnes

Meeting 3rd February 2016.

Modelling Irish Narrow/Broad Gauge Railways. - Neil Ramsay.

Meeting 6th January 2016.

Current projects.

Meeting 5th November 2015.

Kerrinhead - Gavin Clarke.

Meeting 10th October 2015.

From Bretagne France to Hessen Deutschland - Doug Rhodes.

Meeting 9th September 2015.

Etched Brass Kits for Buildings -Andrew Vaughan.