Before I continue, it might help to give you an explanation of the scale - the railway represents a Narrow Gauge line and I'm using 45mm gauge track (the rails are 45mm apart) to mimic a 2ft 6ins gauge prototype. This works out at around 1/19th scale, but because everything that lives permanently outside in the garden is built for durability, the scale is a little 'coarse' so I'm happy to work between 1/18th and 1/20th.
Here's a size comparison between a 28mm GW goblin and a 90mm railwayman...
I reckon that's enough waffle (but obviously if anyone would like any more info don't hesitate to ask!), here's some photo's that hopefully give you a taste......
.... and to finish off, here's a "real one"
Thanks again to those who asked, and I hope those who didn't haven't been too put off by seeing some photo's of my "train set" - normal service will be resumed in a couple of days ;-)
Many thanks for sharing the pictures with us, and taking the time and effort doing so. It all looks great.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I do like looking at model railway layouts, and if I had the finances and space I'd love to build one of my own.
I watched that tv program (about 10 years ago now?) where they built a garden railway in the chap's back garden, and visited other enthusiasts garden setups and collections, it was something that I'd been previously unaware of before then, but found it really interesting and enjoyable to view. Working with nature to create and work a living line looked such a peaceful thing to do, with the outdoor benefits too.
Thanks again
You're very welcome Roy, and thanks for your comments :-)
DeleteI remember the Mark Found garden railway series on TV - it was a major talking point at the time, and it brought quite a lot of newcomers to the hobby.
I certainly can't think of anything more relaxing than sitting out with a beverage in-hand, watching (and listening) to a steam engine working its way along the line ;-)
This is amazing, although not a collector/enthusiast, I do see the excellence in what you’ve done here Greg and like Roy I always enjoy seeing rail layouts.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andy, glad you like it and haven't written me off as an "anorak" ;-)
DeleteThis is just amazing! What a wonderful thing, I am smitten. I'd love to know more about the buildings, I assume they stay out there all the time?
ReplyDeleteCheers Michael. The buildings are a mixture of a (very old) marine plywood station which requires an annual 'treatment', some (old) "kits" made up from kiln-fired clay blocks, some concrete cast structures, and some (relatively new) kits made up from resin castings.
DeleteEverything except the locomotives and rolling stock stay outside ALL the time, and one of the pleasures is glancing out the back window and seeing the line - it's easy to imagine a little train could be passing at any moment! ;-)
Thank you for the detail, they really look forward and such great fun.
DeleteWow, lovely pictures and outstanding details, a feast for our eyes!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Phil. It's really a combination of hobbies - the railway itself plus the photography. Glad you enjoyed it :-)
DeleteWhat a fantastic post, Greg! I am so glad you decided to share these photos with us. I, too, am a huge fan of model railways. My brother and I grew up with the old Hornby sets (indoors not outdoors) during our childhood. Like any dad, my father was as enthusiastic about this hobby as we were.
ReplyDeleteSeeing your set up brought back so many happy memories and I envy you for having such a fantastic set up in your back garden. I'd love to see it in the flesh some time. What I really admire about it are the buildings and the people. I bet every one of them has a story to tell.
Thanks very much Bryan, and it's heartwarming to hear it brought back good memories - it was my Dad who started me off with a Hornby train set one Christmas :-)
DeleteYou're right about the population of Hedgebottom! There's a whole host of figures I've collected over the years, and each one has its own character.
We'll have to see about getting you over for a visit some time (you might even end up with a 'Drivers Certificate'!)
Wow that's awesome. Hobby - more like obsession. Just awesome. So many of those pictures look true to life that I was wondering if there was a mixture of old real life photos together with the miniature railway. It wasn't until the last few pictures that I realised that all of the above were of your railway. That's amazing.
ReplyDeletePraise indeed Tim, thank you very much!
DeleteI'll raise my hand and acknowledge that it WAS becoming a bit of an obsession for a time (it was certainly a passion), but a return to gaming has managed to put the genie back in the bottle ;-)
Great post, both very nostalgic and entertaining inequal measure.
ReplyDeleteLike many of us I suspect, I too started modelling by making a village to go with my railway set-up.
The guage of your railway though is what impresses me the most.
There are a few wargamers out there that have whole worlds in their gardens, left out throughout the year' elements.
Great post.
Cheers Joe - funnily enough, my first scenic model railway was on a 6ft by 4ft board, which also doubled as the 'wargames table' I played WW2 games on (a fictional German invasion of Britain!).
DeleteHmmm - a permanent wargame set-up out in the garden...... now there's a thought!!! ;-)
John Ruddle was probably the most well known pioneer, a google search should give you some excellent food for thought.
DeleteThanks Joe, talking of food for thought, have you looked at "Marwencol"? ;-)
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