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Property Nature World Land lot Urban design


Model Railway Detailing Manual
A source book of period photographs from the Steam Age
Alan Postlethwaite

Product Details:

Board book 160 pages (April 30, 2005)
Publisher: Haynes Group
ISBN: 1844252019

Amazon.co.uk Synopsis:

Railway modellers constantly refer to photographs for details of real scenes. Here, a whole library of useful illustrations is brought together to give a single reference source, arranged in over 70 themed mini chapters. The most popular period for modellers are the last days of steam on British Railways, 1958 to 1967, and the 300 previously unpublished photographs were taken during those years. As well as providing an inspiration for modellers, the book will appeal to preservationists, historians and railway enthusiasts as it portrays this fascinating period of railway history.

MRF Review:

I bought this book recently as I'm looking for some inspiration for a new layout. I'm looking at the British Steam age for inspiration.

I was under the impression that there would be more of the 'Manual', but it turned out to be more of the B&W photos giving the 'feel' of the period. There are no illustrations other than photos (except one document scan). Most of the photos seem to have been taken in the late 50's and Early 60's, but they're all black and white. It would have been so much more interesting and useful to have see some in colour. I'm sure that many of the photos were taken in colour, but then de-saturated for the book. The only colour photo and the only photo of anything to do with modelling, is found on the front cover.

The book is basically a collection of photos of station buildings, platforms, train perspectives, freight yards, signals, rolling stock and locomotive facilities. They say that there are 300 previously unpublished photographs, but a good search on Google will turn up many similar shots in various online collections.

The author seems to have a good knowledge of the subject matter. Photo credits are not given, but the writer gives details of the scenes that are not always evident in the photo, implying that he was present when the photos were taken.

Haynes are famous for their Manuals, but this is no manual, rather a good photographic reference book of the late British steam age. A better title would be: 'Photographic memories of the steam age - a source of inspiration for the modeller'.

I'd give it 4/10 as a modellers book, but 8/10 as a historical train enthusiasts book.

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