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Is Bigger Better?

In Model Railroading today there is a trend to bigger cars and larger locomotives, that usually require large radius curves to run on. This trend is partly because that is what we see when we are waiting for a train to pass at a crossing.

Not everyone has the area to devote to a large railway, many live in an apartment, a townhouse, or a house with limited space or a small yard. They need not be excluded from the hobby because they do not have the space.

Before our system of roads developed and truck transport became the norm, many industries had their own railway systems to transport raw materials to processing facilities, or from the plant to yards where the goods could be transferred to mainline trains.

These "light (duty) railways" used a lot of really small home built equipment. Light railways were used for harvesting agricultural products - sugar beets and sugar cane , lumbering - logs, finished lumber or timbers, or mineral products - salt, gravel, ore etc.

Light railways were also used, and still are, for construction projects like dams and underground aqueducts or sewers. Some were even used to transport goods and ammunitions up to the front lines during wartime.

Many light railways also carried passengers on cars modified to make it slightly more comfortable than riding in a multi use freight car.

What does this mean to us as Model Railroaders? Light railway equipment was built to be temporary, take tight curves, and steeper grades. This means we can do the same in a small space or small garden. An entire light railway complex could be built in the confines of a closet, or within a space only five feet wider than the average patio. Using the smallest radius of curve offered by the manufacturers adds to the fun of light railways instead of limiting what we are able to use.

As for equipment to use on light railways: For an indoor railway think about the new lines of On30 (O scale, Narrow Gauge) equipment from Bachmann and other manufacturers. For the garden LGB's field railroad (FRR) equipment, LGB's Grizzly Flats cars, or Hartland Locomotive Works mini kits, are good places to start. Once started you are only limited by your imagination.

Dare to think smaller, not bigger. Explore the idea of light railways. Come in to Credit Valley Railway and talk to us about your ideas and what you see as your modelling limitations. You never now where we can lead you.