About MVL Bridges

Michael Leckenby started MVL Bridges in 2009 as a one-man cottage industry. Since then he completed around 500 bridges and other railway structures for modellers across the world. 

In the autumn of 2021 Steve Bryant took over the business from Michael following several meetings to hand over design advice and construction methods.

The objective is always to supply a realistic model at a realistic price. This is achieved through following full size practice as far as it is practicable by reaching a fair compromise between size and scale. A range of different metal profiles is used: plate, bar, angle, channel, box and tee sections - the same as in full size structures.

All designs and construction methods are based on full-size practice. Although they may not be based on specific prototypes the designs represent the range of structures which do exist or once existed in the past on the railway network.

All the materials and fastenings used are rust and weather resistant allowing the structures to be left out in the open for many years.​

What's in a name?

At first we considered a title based on our garden railway, The New Herrington Light Railway, such as 'The New Herrington Engineering Works' but that seemed too much of a mouthful!

Then the answer came from my initials. They link together perfectly to produce an interesting truss bridge arrangement. The rest is history.

​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.

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 was 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 produce. The rest have been bespoke bridges designed to span fixed gaps or to suit certain curves. Bespoke bridges will always be what sets MVL Bridges apart from the competition.