<p><font size="3"><strong><em>The Garden Railway Manual</em> by C.J. Freezer. 1995 - Patrick Stephens Ltd. - £14.99
</strong></font></p><p>Cyril J Freezer is probably best known as the former editor of the<em> Railway Modeller</em> and the author of many books on railway modelling. For example, his books of track plans for small scale railways have inspired many well known models. He sadly died in May 2009.</p><p>Although <em>The Garden Railway Manual</em> is beginning to show its age, it still provides an accessible and valuable beginners' guide to railway modelling in the great outdoors. Through the ten years it took me to plan and prepare for my own garden railway, this book was a constant inspiration and guide to getting me started.</p><p>Chapter 1 - <em>The joys of the garden</em> - outlines the attractions of garden railway modelling. It covers some interesting topics including a comparison of clockwork v electrical power and a brief personal history of his experiences with garden railways. Chapter 2 examines gauges and scales appropriate for garden railways. CJF clarifies the key features of the various scale and gauge combinations, including N gauge and narrow gauge options. <em>Surveying and setting out </em>is the focus for Chapter 3. For those who are uncertain about where to start in marking-out and ensuring the foundations are going to be level, this chapter provides plenty of practical information and advice. Chapter 4 looks at designing the layout. This plays to CJF's strengths as various options are considered for arrangements of tracks to fit a range of garden situations. The next chapter gets down to the basics of actually cutting the first sod and shovelling ......... soil. If you are uncertain about how to lay paving or what proportions of sand, gravel and cement are most appropriate for particular circumstances, then this chapter is what you need. Chapter 6 addresses the issue of keeping things under cover - ie sheds - and other covers for trackwork. If you are considering building a high level layout in the garden, then the guidance in Chapter 7 will be of particular interest. Topics such as the types of post which can be used for supporting timber structures and how to fix them are covered, as are baseboards and how to create curved sections. Chapter 8 - <em>Ground Level Layouts</em> - presents the reader with a information on track foundations; loose ballast and concrete. It also provides some useful information on building rockeries and brickwork. <em>Civil Engineering</em> is covered in Chapter 9. I must admit that this is the area which attracts me most to garden railway modelling - possibly because it mirrors what happens in real life. Casting platforms in concrete, forming cuttings and embankments, building bridges and making tunnels are all addressed in this fascinating chapter. Chapter 10 focuses on the track. A comparison is made of the various types of trackwork which is available - from off the shelf sectional track to self-assembled track using individual sleepers, chairs and rail. The next chapter looks at point and signal control from manual point levers, point-rodding and lever frames to electrical control. <em>'Buildings Out of Doors</em>' (Chapter 12) compares the strengths and weaknesses of building construction using plastic, metal, concrete and wood. Suggestions are given for modelling brickwork and roofs and how to look after buildings left outdoors. Chapter 13 - <em>Garden Railway Horticulture</em> - provides information on plants appropriate for garden railways. Cloaking high level layouts with hedges is followed by information on shrubs and miniature trees for ground-level lines. <em>Ponds and Waterways</em> form the focus for Chapter 14. Issues such as pond liners, pumps and sumps are covered with a short section on boats. Chapter 15 examines the safe use of electricity out of doors. As this book pre-dates changes to legislation, the guidance on mains electricity needs to be treated with due caution. However, the section on low voltage supplies is relevant and useful, though it is rare to find stud-contact still in use today. Those interested in steam power will find Chapter 16 informative. Though, once again, technology has moved on considerably. However, if anyone is interested in how model steam locos work, the background information is well presented and highly accessible. Chapter 17 is entitled '<em>Outdoor Operation</em>' and covers issues such as the operation of steam powered locos, radio control and clockwork power. The sections on block working and timetables are brief but provide some starting points for thinking about more realistic approaches to operation. There is an intriguing section on dealing with the weather - including leaves on the line and how to avoid getting sunburnt. <em>Pests and Problems</em> are dealt with in Chapter 18. Here you will find deterrent measures for cats, vandals and the weather. Chapter 19 provides a personal account of CJF's experiences with some well known and less well known garden railways including the <em>Bigston Railway</em> and Peter Denny's various garden lines. His <em>Trepolpen Valley Light Railway</em> was what first generated my enthusiasm for modelling in the garden and is still what I aspire to. The final chapter is a study of passenger carrying garden railways including, inevitably, the <em>Beer Heights Light Railway</em> at <em>Pecorama </em>in Devon. Three appendices provide information on further reading, societies and addresses of suppliers, I am pleased to say the book is concluded with a well organised index.</p><p>Despite its age, there is still plenty in this volume to guide and inspire the would-be garden railway modeller. A quick check suggests that the book is no longer in print and the secondhand price indicates that it is rapidly becoming a collector's item. This book certainly generated and sustained my interest in the 10 years or so it took me to move from dreamer to realist. For me, it was well worth the initial outlay and, if you can lay hands on a copy in a secondhand bookshop, I'm sure you too would find it a good read and and useful reference book.
</p>
</strong></font></p><p>Cyril J Freezer is probably best known as the former editor of the<em> Railway Modeller</em> and the author of many books on railway modelling. For example, his books of track plans for small scale railways have inspired many well known models. He sadly died in May 2009.</p><p>Although <em>The Garden Railway Manual</em> is beginning to show its age, it still provides an accessible and valuable beginners' guide to railway modelling in the great outdoors. Through the ten years it took me to plan and prepare for my own garden railway, this book was a constant inspiration and guide to getting me started.</p><p>Chapter 1 - <em>The joys of the garden</em> - outlines the attractions of garden railway modelling. It covers some interesting topics including a comparison of clockwork v electrical power and a brief personal history of his experiences with garden railways. Chapter 2 examines gauges and scales appropriate for garden railways. CJF clarifies the key features of the various scale and gauge combinations, including N gauge and narrow gauge options. <em>Surveying and setting out </em>is the focus for Chapter 3. For those who are uncertain about where to start in marking-out and ensuring the foundations are going to be level, this chapter provides plenty of practical information and advice. Chapter 4 looks at designing the layout. This plays to CJF's strengths as various options are considered for arrangements of tracks to fit a range of garden situations. The next chapter gets down to the basics of actually cutting the first sod and shovelling ......... soil. If you are uncertain about how to lay paving or what proportions of sand, gravel and cement are most appropriate for particular circumstances, then this chapter is what you need. Chapter 6 addresses the issue of keeping things under cover - ie sheds - and other covers for trackwork. If you are considering building a high level layout in the garden, then the guidance in Chapter 7 will be of particular interest. Topics such as the types of post which can be used for supporting timber structures and how to fix them are covered, as are baseboards and how to create curved sections. Chapter 8 - <em>Ground Level Layouts</em> - presents the reader with a information on track foundations; loose ballast and concrete. It also provides some useful information on building rockeries and brickwork. <em>Civil Engineering</em> is covered in Chapter 9. I must admit that this is the area which attracts me most to garden railway modelling - possibly because it mirrors what happens in real life. Casting platforms in concrete, forming cuttings and embankments, building bridges and making tunnels are all addressed in this fascinating chapter. Chapter 10 focuses on the track. A comparison is made of the various types of trackwork which is available - from off the shelf sectional track to self-assembled track using individual sleepers, chairs and rail. The next chapter looks at point and signal control from manual point levers, point-rodding and lever frames to electrical control. <em>'Buildings Out of Doors</em>' (Chapter 12) compares the strengths and weaknesses of building construction using plastic, metal, concrete and wood. Suggestions are given for modelling brickwork and roofs and how to look after buildings left outdoors. Chapter 13 - <em>Garden Railway Horticulture</em> - provides information on plants appropriate for garden railways. Cloaking high level layouts with hedges is followed by information on shrubs and miniature trees for ground-level lines. <em>Ponds and Waterways</em> form the focus for Chapter 14. Issues such as pond liners, pumps and sumps are covered with a short section on boats. Chapter 15 examines the safe use of electricity out of doors. As this book pre-dates changes to legislation, the guidance on mains electricity needs to be treated with due caution. However, the section on low voltage supplies is relevant and useful, though it is rare to find stud-contact still in use today. Those interested in steam power will find Chapter 16 informative. Though, once again, technology has moved on considerably. However, if anyone is interested in how model steam locos work, the background information is well presented and highly accessible. Chapter 17 is entitled '<em>Outdoor Operation</em>' and covers issues such as the operation of steam powered locos, radio control and clockwork power. The sections on block working and timetables are brief but provide some starting points for thinking about more realistic approaches to operation. There is an intriguing section on dealing with the weather - including leaves on the line and how to avoid getting sunburnt. <em>Pests and Problems</em> are dealt with in Chapter 18. Here you will find deterrent measures for cats, vandals and the weather. Chapter 19 provides a personal account of CJF's experiences with some well known and less well known garden railways including the <em>Bigston Railway</em> and Peter Denny's various garden lines. His <em>Trepolpen Valley Light Railway</em> was what first generated my enthusiasm for modelling in the garden and is still what I aspire to. The final chapter is a study of passenger carrying garden railways including, inevitably, the <em>Beer Heights Light Railway</em> at <em>Pecorama </em>in Devon. Three appendices provide information on further reading, societies and addresses of suppliers, I am pleased to say the book is concluded with a well organised index.</p><p>Despite its age, there is still plenty in this volume to guide and inspire the would-be garden railway modeller. A quick check suggests that the book is no longer in print and the secondhand price indicates that it is rapidly becoming a collector's item. This book certainly generated and sustained my interest in the 10 years or so it took me to move from dreamer to realist. For me, it was well worth the initial outlay and, if you can lay hands on a copy in a secondhand bookshop, I'm sure you too would find it a good read and and useful reference book.
</p>
