Model of the Month

By Jim Wild Towards the end of 1977, six months after our Association of 16mm NG modelling was formed, I put together a railbus. It was built using an Archangel bogie coach and was powered by most of the bits from a Mamod stationary engine. Graham Lamb, our founding father, asked in his inimitable way [...]

By David Mees The Machine During the Great War (1914-1918) military authorities on both sides of the conflict in Europe had established that systems of light narrow gauge railways mostly of 60cm gauge were ideal for serving the front lines which largely consisted of entrenched opposing armies. The need  for supplying them with munitions, food [...]

By David Pinniger "Hazel" seen recently on the Ambledown Valley Railway This is one of the most successful locomotives designed and built by Stewart Browne of Archangel Models. It is based on a Bagnall 2-4-0T built in 1896 originally for the Plynlymon and Hafan Tramway who then sold it to the Vale of Rheidol Railway [...]

By Stacey Baker The history Ten of these very unusual locomotives were started by Bruce Peebles and Co. for the Portmadoc, Beddgelert and South Snowdon Railway. Sadly this venture collapsed into bankruptcy before the loco’s were finished. For a full history of these locomotives I shall refer you to J.I.C Boyd's "Narrow Gauge in South [...]

By Nigel Town My “Eigiau” story started way back over 10 years ago... I first handled an Archangel “Eigiau” when my son was still in his pushchair. It was sitting on an IMP Models stall at the Butterley Garden Railway open weekend.  With a young child and a single salary, financially things were tight at [...]

By Andrew Cox In 2010 an extension to our home necessitated the dismantling of my old garden railway. Coinciding as it did with a growing interest in the old Welsh Highland Railway, a desire to move into the realm of scratchbuilding rolling stock, and even Accucraft’s release of a War Department Baldwin loco, the result [...]

By Derek Wiggins This actual loco is widely accepted as the Archangel prototype of the model. It is dated 1984, when "Russell" was offered by Stewart Browne with two options of meths firing, a pot boiler and internally fired with a 2 wick burner.  With a pressure of 50 psi there was a duration of approximately [...]

By David Rowbotham She started life as a normal rebuild of a meths fired Roundhouse Lady Anne back in 2006, then the opportunity arose to acquire a Russell body etch and plans for a more ambitious rebuild began. I've always liked the brutal rugged appearance of the Welsh Highland Hunslet Russell in its cut down [...]

By Harvey Watkins Back in the day when spirit went into your loco, rather than your binge drinking, and "the gas" was what you turned on before putting your head in the oven. I wanted a saddle tank loco as a contrast to all the side tanks and box tanks around. It would be a [...]

By Graham Swales I have always admired the photos of the "MOTM" and within SMT as they show the best that 16mm narrow gauge can offer. I do confess though that at times I feel somewhat overawed by the quality and standards that "others" work to.... The Oaksey Light Railway (based in my garden just [...]