At the time, I dreamed that I'd use these plans to make models. I didn't dream of just owning them, I was going to build them myself.
Of course, I never did. On my garden line, the main feature was cost, or at least lack of it. I built very basic wagons that didn't look that much like those in the book. Probably the nearest I got was building a set of wagons from Saltford Models kits, and they aren't much like those on "proper" narrow-gauge railways.
This didn't matter; those plans inspired me to have a go. I've always collected drawings and now have several boxfiles of the things. All dreams to be realised one day.
Someone is doubtless wondering why if I love plans so much, they aren't a bigger feature in modern magazines. The first, is simple. No mag can afford to pay what drawing a plan up should cost. Look at each of these. Measuring up a wagon and then creating a drawing is a couple of days work. A couple of days which should be paid at a skilled rate. There are over two weeks in the photo above.
The other reason is a bit sadder - I might look at these and dream of building a model, most people look at them and dream of buying RTR. Nothing wrong with that, but the only person who needs a plan is the one sat in front of a computer full of CAD. I did once ask someone if he'd be out with the tin snips if we published a plan for a Duchess, "Oh yes", he said. I was not convinced. Nowadays, a plan would be pored over, but only so people could find errors, real or imaginary, and pronounce on them online.
Anyway, back to the book. I've occasionally looked at copies, but the other day, one popped up on Instagram being sold by Oxfam. The price was good, as is the cause. A couple of days later it was in my hand.
Perhaps I'll get around to reading it now!
9 comments:
One of my all-time favourite books and authors. J.I.C. Boyd's books must have been responsible for firing the imaginations of several generations of narrow gauge enthusiasts. I really enjoy reading about some of the more obscure lines, such as the Pennal Tramway. When I used to camp in Wales regularly, I'd usually have the relevant "Boyd" and OS maps with me.
I love Brian Clarke's models and books, too. Both predate the Internet, but it doesn't make them any less valid, for me at least.
Simon.
Whilst Boyd did a lot to raise the profile of the NG, the quality and methods of his "research" undermine the value of the books as historical records .In some cases he destroyed archive material to prevent others fact checking it or using it for their own research. We are fortunate these days to benefit from the meticulous work of the likes of Dan Quine.
Whoops, my scathing comment about Boyd appeared as by Anon - I've had to swap to a back up computer and not logged into all my accounts yet.
I didn't know about this, and am shocked that anyone would destroy archive material.
Ask MRFS, or Dan for the details. For some reason it always makes me think of an MR James ghost story.
The underlying problem is not knowing when you can trust him. As I found out as a teenager scratch building 16mm FR wagons to his drawings.
MRFS here. Boyd ripped out pages from 1880s letterbooks, wrote on original diagrams and lied that he still had them. When he died he willed them to the John Rylands and if it were not for deft work by his executor (Patrick Keef) some 9d the material would have vanished.
Boyd wrote a story, mixed fact and fiction and refused to change it as more evidence appeared.
Read him, but independently verify everything.
In current parlance, he liked "alternative facts", even when the evidence was against him...
If the evidence is against you, alter the evidence to fit your pre-existing agenda. He reminds me of my history teachers, so attached to a narrative that they couldn't embrace other views.
G'day Phil,
I borrowed a Miniature Engineering book about building a complete backyard ride on railway from my local Library, several times in a couple of years.
(It had a complete section about building a Live Steam locomotive)
They were reorganising & contacted me to see if I wanted to purchase the book as I was the only person borrowing it.
Foa a small donation of which I double to $20 AU, it was now mine.
This was over a decade ago.
Cheers Woz
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