It is to be hoped that the superb Manning, Wardle 2 ‐ 6‐2T and Lynton & Barnstaple coaches from Lionheart Trains will prompt a renewed interest in On16.5 narrow gauge modelling. That is,7mm:1ft narrow gauge running on 16.5mm gauge (‘OO’) track. True, 7mm:ft scale accessories, vehicles and figures can be used, but narrow gauge railway buildings in the scale are few and far between. Parent company Dapol has addressed the lack of Lynton & Barnstaple buildings with a handful of kits under the revived Kitmaster label. These new Kitmaster kits are, however, about as far removed from the original range of easy-to-build, cheap plastic locomotive kits as it is possible to get.
Chelfham station, as restored by the L&BRA, in September 2017.
PHOTOGRAPHY: CHRIS LEIGH
THE PROTOTYPE