Model Bridges for the Narrow Gauge Garden Railway
About MVL Bridges
MVL Bridges began construction of narrow gauge garden railway bridges in August 2009. The impetus came from the apparent lack of a specialist supplier of such models in the UK. For several years up to 2005 Peter Howarth Garden Structures had offered a comprehensive range of truss bridges. Sadly these are no longer available and second hand examples are quickly snapped up whenever they become available.
The opportunity to develop a new range mainly aimed at the UK narrow gauge scene was made easier when I became self employed as a picture framer after almost thirty years in primary education.
Having carried out initial research and development the basic range of six bridge designs was established. The first models were offered via Ebay and it soon became apparent that there is a clear need for realistic and weatherproof garden railway bridges. It is surprising how many modellers who spend hundreds and thousands of pounds on highly detailed locomotives and rolling stock are prepared to run their tracks on planks of wood over ponds and paths!
Our standard bridge lengths make up about half of the models we have produced in our first year of trading. The rest have been bespoke bridges designed to span fixed gaps.
What's in a name?
At first we considered a title based on our long defunct garden railway, The New Herrington Light Railway, such as 'The New Herrington Engineering Works' but that seemed too much of a mouth full!
Then the answer came from my initials. They link together perfectly to produce an interesting truss bridge arrangement. The rest is history.
In the first year of bridge construction 2009 it soon became apparent that the process would soon outgrowing the tiny space in a substantial brick built but rather cramped outhouse. With orders coming in steadily plans were put in place for a larger purpose built workshop adjacent to the re-established railway at the bottom end of the garden. The long term plan is to hold open days offering the opportunity to visit the workshop, enjoy a steam-up and perhaps even send the family off to explore Herrington Country Park which surrounds us. The park offers a model boating lake, fishing lakes, BMX track, children's play area, bridle ways, footpaths, country pubs and cafe.
Please feel free to get in touch if you want to visit, talk railways and bridges, and visit the Park
The Workshop
The story of the New Herrington Light Railway began in 1983. After almost ten happy years, family and work commitments and a host of other distractions saw the railway fall into disuse, dereliction and finally destruction. Eventually in 2000 the entire rolling stock was sold off.
Several rather half-hearted attempts resulted in the the construction of a much reduced raised line in contrast to the original extensive ground level line.
Now, with the development of MVL Bridges, it seems only natural that the NHLR should be resurrected.
Take a trip through the NHLR archives and spot a few interesting locomotives from the past.
The New Herrington Light Railway
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