The Guide to 16mm Scale Modelling

[andymctractor]

The booklet does reinforce the view that the hobby is almost exclusively for those who favour live steam running on 32mm gauge track. Or am I just being paranoid (again)!
Rik

Hi Rik, the hobby as it stands is very much in favour of live steam running on 32mm gauge track and the booklet does reinforce that message but that is understandable taking into account the history of 16mm. It is still, in my humble opinion, a very good read and very well put together.
I've experienced bad atmosphere from some steamy traditionalists when I've expressed my preferences for battery powered locos. Most of my loco collection will eventually be almost exclusively battery powered for both steam and diesel outline. This does allow for much more control over the starting/stopping/shunting etc. (Noting some of Riks videos) I will keep a couple of live steamers but they will probably be for through running when operation permits. My railway is a continuous run layout with long passing loops to cater better for them.
I think there is room for all of us in the Association.

[ge_rik]

The booklet does reinforce the view that the hobby is almost exclusively for those who favour live steam running on 32mm gauge track. Or am I just being paranoid (again)!
Rik

Hi Rik, the hobby as it stands is very much in favour of live steam running on 32mm gauge track and the booklet does reinforce that message but that is understandable taking into account the history of 16mm. ,.................... I think there is room for all of us in the Association.

I think you've put your finger on the nub of the issue. The guide has been written by the leading lights in the Association and so reflects their viewpoints. I think they have a tendency to view today's world through Backriscope spectacles. Hence, there is only one brief mention in passing of 3d printing, the inevitable warning about lithium batteries exploding and as much space given to 27Mhz and 40Mhz RC systems as 2.4gHz and 433Mhz.

However, I concede that the guide is intended for beginners to the hobby and as such does provide a useful introduction, though it does tend to steer them down a particular route. I just wish it acknowledged there is a far wider range of routes into the hobby (eg no mention of track power, no mention of PDF Models 3d printed loco kits, and no mention of HGLW, Phil Sharples or IP Engineering budget loco kits).

Rik

[Jimmyb]

I have to admit to not having read mine yet. Though semi-retired, I am still working (through this crisis), and with other past-times and the lovely whether I have been just too busy to stay inside and read.

[Jimmyb]

Just finished reading through the Guide, and here are my thoughts, but first some perspective. Though been in to model railways for more years that I care to recall, I have only been Garden Railway modelling for just over two years, so really just a beginner.

So, there is some really good advice, and a few pointers, specifically in the track laying that I need to heed and will initiate in my own railway. But, as previously mentioned, even though the beginning give a quick nod to other scales and track power, the guide give no guidance to either track power, and seems to suggest that steam outline model locos are all steam powered, and only ICE engines are battery powered. I did also considerer that as a guide it should be purely objective in nature (though not easy to achieve) but was very subjective in places. Considering there were 10 proof readers, a number of typos, (though I am being pedantic here).
I would seem I have a lot of negative points, but overall I did find find it a useful read, and could be of much use to a beginner, though I would also suggest that if starting in Garden Railways other ligature should be sought due to the bias.

[Paul_in_Ricky]

I thought the guide a fantastic piece of work. A superb production, well set out with a real high quality feel about. A brilliant feat for a small amateur society to acheive. It really is nit picking to mention the odd typo in such circumstances.

the guide give no guidance to either track power, and seems to suggest that steam outline model locos are all steam powered, and only ICE engines are battery powered.

That seems pretty pragmatic and current practice from what I've seen.
There are certainly quite a few steam outline battery powered locos about, the PDF range being the most prolific, but the main aspiration seems to be running steam in the garden.

Track powered locos seem a lost art in 16mm garden railways from what I've read over the last 18 months. I can't remember reading a single reference to it.

[ge_rik]

Track powered locos seem a lost art in 16mm garden railways from what I've read over the last 18 months. I can't remember reading a single reference to it.

That is probably true for 32mm gauge, but I'd say in 45mm gauge there are quite a few track powered layouts. The issue is probably whether or not, the 45mm gauge layouts are 16mm scale. My railway was originally track powered and my rubber ruler varies between 16mm and 15mm scale.

Rik

[MRail]

[i]"...if starting in Garden Railways other ligature should be sought due to the bias."[/i]

Typos, Jimmy?
Or is it despair?

Really, I think the issue comes down to the fine and blurry line between 16mm and G gauge.
Don't the G scale society provide a beginners' guide?

[Jimmyb]

"...if starting in Garden Railways other ligature should be sought due to the bias."

Typos, Jimmy?
Or is it despair?

Really, I think the issue comes down to the fine and blurry line between 16mm and G gauge.
Don't the G scale society provide a beginners' guide?

Yes, must do better, it would seem I'm not cut out for forum comments.

[tom_tom_go]

I think the forum shows we are a far more varied bunch using all types of power sources and gauges.

[Nojahoda]

As a total noob to this kind of thing, I would say it's a real bargain.

I haven't read all the controversial bits yet, but I guess I've already done enough research that I have already decided on a few of those matters.

I do think that some photos of less ambitious projects would have been nice. I'm probably looking at building the garden railway equivalent of a slightly expanded train set, and whilst the multi level empires are fun to look at it would be nice to see that a more basic effort can be worthwhile too. But I'm nitpicking really, I've wasted a lot more than that cost on stuff I actually didn't like in the past.

[FWLR]

Just finished reading through the Guide, and here are my thoughts, but first some perspective. Though been in to model railways for more years that I care to recall, I have only been Garden Railway modelling for just over two years, so really just a beginner.

Considering there were 10 proof readers, a number of typos, (though I am being pedantic here).
I would seem I have a lot of negative points, but overall I did find find it a useful read, and could be of much use to a beginner, though I would also suggest that if starting in Garden Railways other ligature should be sought due to the bias.

Jimmy, please don't think your comments aren't useful, they are. We all make mistakes at some point with type, we are human beings and not robots. Thats the beauty of being human isn't it. I am always making mistakes and I get blasted for it. For what I have read from the comments you have made, you are a genuine person who wants to learn and know more about our hobby.

By the way I am also fairly new to garden railways. So you're not alone mate.


Has my signature say's,
Life is easy when I run my trains. But unfortunately it's not..........