Modelling Engine Sheds and Motive Power Depots of the Steam Era

Book excerpt: Many railway modellers include an engine shed somewhere on their layout. However, all too often the shed is squeezed into a quite improbable location and is little more than a place to 'park' engines when they are not in use. This well-illustrated and comprehensive book, written by an experienced railway modeller, helps even the beginner to develop a far more realistic approach and to capture the unforgettable grimy but exciting atmosphere of the locomotive shed in the steam era. The book covers all types of engine shed from the branch line sub-shed to the main line motive power depot, and discusses research, planning, the building process, readily available materials and simple tools. It goes on to explain how to obtain the very best from kits, how to site and operate sheds, and how to make them look authentic. It demonstrates the construction of over a dozen kits, including off-the-shelf kits and the newest computer downloadable kits, and shows the modeller how to create special dioramas depicting the whole shed scene and how to scratch-build complete sheds, including coal stages and other infrastructure. With further advice for those with a limited amount of space, and 'top tips' throughout, this is essential reading for modellers of all abilities who wish to incorporate a realistic locomotive shed of the steam era into their layout. Well illustrated with 323 colour photographs.