The 16mm Scale /SM32 Narrow Gauge Modelling Group –
NANT MAWR LIGHT RAILWAY and PORTMADOC layouts.
Over 40 years ago, the original 16mm NG Group Members were already established skilled railway modellers!! But following a dispute, they broke away from their 4mm scale group and the layout they were modelling. However, accurate railway modelling remained their mantra! When an early Meths-fired Mamod live-steam locomotive set with track was brought and demonstrated in the clubrooms, the opportunity for something new and pioneering was recognised. So enthused were the group that soon a simple sm32/16mm scale layout with good scenery emerged, running further Mamod locos and early rolling stock.
Over time, the 16mm trade support of our hobby grew. Members also made various technical improvements including the development of radio-controlled and butane-fired live steam locos to haul appropriate quality rolling stock. The layout expanded to become known as the ‘North Meltham Light Railway’, and a pioneer ‘fully scenic’ layout in this scale. Members operated at exhibitions including at memorable large international exhibition in Utrect, Holland. ‘North Meltham’ also featured to wide acclaim in the ‘Railway Modeller’ magazine.
After several years of modelling, operating and exhibiting, the decision was eventually made to sell North Meltham and build a wholly new layout which became the original ‘Nant Mawr Light Railway’. Again, this was ‘pioneer’ modelling in the scale as recognisable real life narrow-gauge scenes, mainly in Wales, were modelled on the large 30ft x 18ft layout. These were based on early preservation day scenes of the Ffestiniog Railway’s ‘Portmadoc Harbour Station Building and separate ‘Goods Shed’, The Cob, along with the Talylynn Railway’s ‘Dolgoch Viaduct’, the Welsh Highland ‘Aberglaslyn Pass’, the ‘backstreets of Welshpool’ and a small slate quarry. The layout was exhibited at the National Railway Museum’s ‘Railfest’ event in 2004 and at several National Garden Railway Shows, so becoming well-known and popular within the 16mm world and the wider railway fraternity.
Around 2019, the HRM club was faced with a change of clubrooms and were actively looking for new premises. When this came, it was clear the large Nant Mawr LR, in its then present form, would not fit in the new clubrooms. After considerable thought and effort, part of this was remodelled into what emerged as the smaller, lighter and more portable rectangular format ‘Portmadoc’ layout. Harbour Station, Goods Shed and The Cob remained core, but a typical Welsh Slate Quarry Workshop and Yard, an original Dduallt Station Building and other appropriate buildings and scenic elements were added to create the layout today we are all very proud of. (see the photos). ‘Portmadoc’ was booked to appear at the 2020 National Garden Railway Show but alas, Covid and the lockdown intervened. When finally and successfully exhibited at the 2024 NGR Show, the layout won the ‘Best Layout in Show’ award receiving very many complimentary comments.
Today this whole layout is permanently erected in the clubrooms for members to enjoy. As this is being written, the Group are actively working on building new baseboards for a small new extension branch. This will leave the main layout beside the Goods Shed, just like the real WHR line leaves Harbour Station today!
Members operate models across the whole 16mm range, from the expensive commercial types, through to the humblest budget scratch and kit- built examples. 16mm Assoc.Members and visitors, from across the whole country, are welcome to come and see us and to ‘run’ their trains on our ‘award winning’ layout’.
Better still, if you might be interested in joining us, please make contact.
