Narrow gauge atmosphere

[clayliner]

The review of the new 7mm NGA's handbook 'Going Narrow Gauge' in the latest 009 News refers to 'that elusive narrow gauge 'atmosphere'" which experienced n-g modellers try to explain in the handbook.

It got me wondering whether - and to what extent - it might be possible to define this atmosphere? - in which case it would become slightly less elusive! This could be especially helpful  to newcomers to 009 modelling as well at 7mm-ers.

Of course, all of us in the Society recognise it pretty instantly. One might object that it varies from railway to railway, but I suggest that it applies much the same to a Welsh slate line and an Indian hill railway, to take two random examples. That's not to say that they are the same, of course, but they do share certain instantly recognisable characteristics.

For the purposes of this thread I am thinking chiefly of visual aspects rather than operating practices and so on.

I imagine our own forthcoming Handbook will have a chapter on 'Getting Started' or something similar so suggestions offered here might help in writing that chapter. Could we compile a list of say, the Top Ten features? (maybe even a members' poll if there are more than ten suggestions).

To kick things off, here is my No.1:  The rails are closer together than normal.

Now we've got that out of the way, over to you.

David.

[Robin Webster]

2. sleeper spacing  and length are random in some railways.

Robin.

[Hugh Norwood]

Lack of signalling? Or rudimentary...

[Tom Haythornthwaite]

Often just central buffers.

Often little or no ballast.

[engerth399]

I think narrow gauge atmosphere is a misnomer - some railways had that bucolic air of yesteryear but their rails were at the Stephenson gauge - some of the Colonel Stephens lines, the Bishops Castle, the Golden Valley seem to have that elusive atmosphere more than others with their rails closer together.

[Hobby]

I'm with Engerth on this, as he says many lines that show what some modellers call "Narrow Gauge Atmosphere" are actually standard gauge and then some modellers give them "honorary" NG status, which, with respect, is rubbish as you could equally argue the other way round!

If you ask many British NG modellers you will get their definition of NG as run down, no signals, simple, etc., but, for me, what sets NG apart from the rest is its sheer variety and individuality. The modern stuff I model, Czech, Hungarian and Austrian has as much atmosphere as the old run down British lines but it's different. Although they are modern and often use new stock, it doesn't look like SG or behave like SG, it has a charm of it's own. It can be impressive, long trains on the Ziller and the use of transporter bogies on the JHMD to carry SG wagons, it can be weird, the rebuilt railcars on the JHMD with their round windows! But each one is individual, even where there was some standardisation each line manages to have it's own atmosphere and is different to the others.

That's to me what NG is all about.

[Julian Evison]

Low or no platforms - just gravel close to ground level......

[Graeme Dunbar]

Very much a variation on what has been said before: keeping the infrastructure in line with the supposed line traffic and income. Also the state of repair and lineside growth, particularly in respect to the date of operation depicted.

[clayliner]

The modern stuff I model, Czech, Hungarian and Austrian has as much atmosphere as the old run down British lines but it's different. Although they are modern and often use new stock, it doesn't look like SG or behave like SG, it has a charm of it's own...That's to me what NG is all about.

Ah -"a charm of its own". Is charm the same as atmosphere? - I'm guessing so, or closely enough.

I'm intrigued by your comments, as they make it clear that for some (and I'm certainly not making any value judgments!) the characteristics which might be thought essential to n-g atmosphere are not for others. But the individuality you speak about can apply to 'modern image' lines as well as to delapidated ones, be they narrow gauge or Col. Stephens s-g ones.

I was just beginning to wonder if steam traction - some steam, if not exclusively so - was part of the essential atmosphere we're trying to define, but it seems it's not after all.

Thanks for the other comments and suggestions so far.

David.

[Robin Webster]

Perhaps it's one and the same. I speak strictly for myself... There is nothing like the smell of steam. A loud chuff, smoke, the sound of a whistle and with a sudden jolt we are off, the carriages bounce around, the seat is hard there is no glass in the window, now and then smoke fills the carriage but our journey has begun. What lies at the end of our journey who knows but we are rolling at a high speed of 25mph. Perhaps what I have written is romantic nostalgia but it's simple. Its my minds eye.
Yes these little railways were once built to a good standard and with fine rolling stock, but I was not there. I only see what is now, and its run down. ( There are exceptions. )

Robin.

[Robin Webster]

Sharp curves.
Metal sleepers/ties.
Temporary bridges.
Mixed rail. (Light and heavy)

Robin.

[engerth399]

I found the Austrian 2190 class diesel to have a fascination, likewise the 2095 class.  Of course, I like steam and the 399 class on the Waldviertelbahn were wonderful to see and hear.

[Hobby]

Again I agree with Engerth (no, we are not the same person!!), although I was brought up with steam (the last British steam shed, Lostock Hall in the late 60s) and love the smell, powerful diesels also work for me, I suppose that because I was spotting in the change over era and wasn't old enough to be bias in favour of one or the other I just ended up appreciating both.

David, based on what I've seen of 7mm NG modelling in the UK I expect that the vast majority of those "experienced" modellers mentioned in the OP will concentrate mainly on the "typical" British run down Col Stephens type of line or industrial 2ft gauge and maybe the odd US logging layout, I may be doing them an injustice but I'd be surprised if it isn't mainly that. If we are to do something similar I feel it's important that we recognise the wide range of diversity in our Society which nicely mirrors the wide range of NG the world over. We have members who model the Garretts of Africa, Australian sugar, Cuban and American NG, even Japanese 2ft 6ins, and, of course, the incredible variety of NG in Europe from the efficient Swiss (surely the most commonly seen "foreign NG" in the UK) to the logging lines which still exist in Eastern Europe and Russia. NG isn't just about run down steam locos or small industrial diesels, it's about infinite variety, please let's spread the word that it goes way beyond our small island!!

[clayliner]

I'd agree with everything you say, Blair (though I'm not as familiar with the 7mm scene as you are). As for 009, I'm sure no-one would want to disagree with your global view of narrow gauge railways, and I think no-one here is suggesting an exclusively UK-centric view. If you look at the various comments and suggestions which have been made I think they would almost all apply to n-g lines anywhere in the world. Narrow gauge 'atmosphere', whatever exactly that is, does seem pretty universal.

David.

[into Southern Q1s, Cl 50 diesels, Southern Electric (not the utility) and LUL as well as n-g!]

[Peter Boulter]

Reading through the comments already made in this thread it would appear that "narrow gauge atmosphere" is really hard to define.  At first I thought that the Talyllyn Railway is the typical line with "narrow gauge atmosphere", delightful little locos with short trains weaving their way through the countryside and stopping at stations that in some cases are little more then a clearing in the forest with a cinder covered platforms barely at rail height and with a small timber built platform shelter.
But then again, the Welsh Highland Railway has "narrow gauge atmosphere", and no one is ever going to call an NG/G16 Beyer-Garratt a "little loco" and at 10 bogie coaches the WHR trains are certainly not short.