As I have mentioned before on my blog, I became a fan of YouTube whilst I was bedridden. One of my favourite channels is called Budget Model Railways whose creator - Mike Potter - is an enthusiast for building compact layouts that do not cost a fortune.
Not long ago he built an N-gauge layout that fitted into a box that could be carried on the back of a motorbike so that he could take it to his local model railway club. He has since replaced the motorcycle with one that has panniers and has therefore built a newer, highly portable layout that fits into a small (11-inch x 8-inch) metal case.
The layout is what model railway enthusiasts term an inglenook layout. In other words, it is long and thin and is used to solve shunting problems as well as to provide opportunities to run one’s locomotives and rolling stock. (A shunting problem is rather like the ‘Towers of Hanoi’ puzzle. The user has to assemble a train from the available rolling stock in a specific order that is usually randomly generated by stock cards.)
Having seen his completed layout, it struck me that the methods he used might be transferable to wargaming so that wargamers could create a ‘wargame in a case’. In other words, a larger version of the ‘wargame in a matchbox’ concept that users could take to their local club or on trips away from home.
This concept appeals to me, and I already have several ideas that are based around the fast play 3 x 3 version of the Portable Wargame, coupled with the possibility of running a small campaign. I know that other wargamers (e.g, The Perry twin's TRAVEL BATTLE, Daniel Weitz's 3D printed versions of HOPLITE and the PORTABLE NAPOLEONIC WARGAME) have already done something along these lines so I am not venturing into totally virgin territory.
It’s certainly an interesting little project that I could work on in parallel with larger ones, and it could enable me to do something that I am currently unable to do easily, which was to wargame away from home.
Please note that the screenshots shown above are © Budget Model Railways.
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That looks like a very interesting project! I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with it. Will it be a colonial wargame?
ReplyDeleteMark Cordone,
DeleteMy ideas are still a bit nebulous… but a Colonial railway setting is one possibility.
All the best,
Bob
Expanding the Matchbox to a Pannier or Case is one giant leap for tiny man kind. I think your Portable Wargames set ups would work really well for this.
ReplyDeleteYes the pizzabox or inglenook railway idea is good fun. I found a few interesting examples on my (not making a) model railway blog https://sidetracked2017blog.wordpress.com/2023/12/03/on-the-theatrical-design-of-model-railways/
Mark, Man of TIN,
DeleteThanks for your kind comments … and an inglenook-style wargame/model railway has distinct possibilities.
By the way, I enjoy reading your blog, especially those that feature model railways!
All the best,
Bob
Indeed looking closely at the pannier railway case, you start thinking, could I get a wargame skirmish scenario around defending the railway crossing or halt etc. Home Guard versus Paratroops in WW2? Commando raid or saboteurs? Boy Scouts versus Prussians WW1?
ReplyDeleteMark, Man of TIN,
DeleteFunnily enough, I recently saw a suitable model railway layout that a wargamer has created for a commando raid. It is here = http://ww2tanksalot.blogspot.com/2024/11/railway-gun-turntable-ammo-store-etc.html .
All the best,
Bob
What an excellent site? I wonder if they are going to ‘fly’ a cardboard box or modified Junkers or Dakota Airfix kit over the layout and scatter paper parachutist circles, as in Donald Featherstone’s Wargaming Airborne Operations?
DeleteMark, Man of TIN,
DeleteI understand that he intends to use the layout for a scenario that includes an attack by members of the Resistance. However, I think that an airborne assault - using the method you mention - would make for a very interesting game.
All the best,
Bob
Mike and Douglas runs a very interesting YouTube-Channel indeed! I've been following them for a while. If I'm not wrong I think Mike is into wargaming as well.
ReplyDeleteIt was one of Mike's videos which gave me the idea to mock up a 'G-scale' Inglenook Sidings at home. I used only military cars and loads, so from a logistic point of view it was perhaps a kind of 'wargame' too?
https://modelrailsandwargames.blogspot.com/2024/05/can-inglenook-sidings-switching-puzzle.html
Roger,
DeleteIt is one of my favourite YouTube channels and I’ve found it very informative and inspirational. I also have the impression that Mike is - or has been - a wargamer.
I paid a visit to your blog and really loved the inglenook layout that you’ve created. It certainly manages to mix model railways and wargaming very well indeed!
All the best,
Bob
Thank you Bob ☺️
DeleteI'm trying to get the best out of these two great hobbies. It seem like there ate more wargamers into model railways and vice versa.
I!m a motorcyclist too, and I've been planning some kind of layout in a pannier. I haven't really got around to it. Now you made think of adding a complete wargame in a pannier...
You see, I've got 2 to spare...
Roger,
DeleteJudging by the feedback I’ve had from this and previous blog posts that featured model railways, there is quite a considerable overlap between the two hobbies.
Two panniers! That’s a definite ‘vote’ in favour of both a layout and a wargame that you can carry around with you!
All the best,
Bob