The January 2025 issue is out now, marking the 19th year from NGDU’s current editing team. A new year provides a chance to reflect, and I’ve decided that issue 100 – Jan 2026 – will be the last under the current management. We’re seeking interest from readers and supporters to “take on” NGDU – if you are interested, please get in touch!
I’ve done the role as a part-time ‘job’ of sorts. NGDU requires fairly-constant attention, amounting to a few hours every week. Each issue involves about 40 hours in total – plus there are back issues to send, admin to tackle etc. In return, you’ll receive immense satisfaction, plus a profitable small business.

In the meantime, enjoy the January 2025 issue’s diverse features: from a scenic club layout; to a Vietnamese paddy field; from a German field railway to the deepest woods. There’s plenty to please anyone!

Peter Kendall’s unique “Cinnamon Port” in On30 features in our October 2024 issue, available now.

Peter’s portable layout captures the colonial architecture, tight confines and busy commerce of a Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) spice port. There’s also plenty more to explore in the October issue – from designing a mountain-themed layout; to creating a water tank from an unusual object; to crafting a dedicated modelling space. Grab your copy today, from our stockists or from the online store!

The July issue includes heaps of interest and fun! We visit Peter Annison’s freelanced On30 layout; build a cane-cutters shack; explore “high tech” and “low tech” approaches to layout planning; and much more. Get your copy now, from one of our valued stockists or direct from our online store…

The April 2024 issue is packed full of interest, including:

• A visit to Don McKenney’s “Mill Valley Lumber Co” On3 layout, featuring his scratchbuild models and towering trees
• Build a ruined church
• Michael Schmidt’s new large-scale field railway
• Plans for North-East Dundas Tramways “AD” guards van
• …And much more!

Related in time for the 2023 Australian Narrow Gauge Convention at Easter, April’s NGDU features Dan Pickard’s “Kinmont” that will be on display at the convention. This compact On30 layout features brilliant scenery, with trains peeking between the gums and ferns. The format makes for wonderful photos.

The April issue includes our usual range of practical projects too, with tips to rebuild craftsman-style kits; adapt a UK steamer; and build an old-time tank car. We also continue Lee Styger’s tutorial on CAD/CNC baseboards, explore some ‘spar’ tramways; and visit “The Pickle” – an unusual German-themed estate railway in 1:35 scale.

Get your copy today…

The January 2023 issue of Narrow Gauge Downunder hits the streets this week.

Features for this edition include:

• The Puerto Borracho acquires a new On30 Heisler – Gary Beatty shares his trademark humour and artistry, including techniques for modelling galvanised metals
• We visit an amazing scenic 1:34 NZ timber railway
• Layout designing, with Murray Scholz’s VR branch line
• Build an early diesel locomotive
• History of Australia’s timber spar tram lines. 

There’s lots to explore in the January issue – get yours now.

By popular request, we now offer high-quality digital editions for many of the early editions of NGDU that have been long out-of-print and unavailable.

These are gradually appearing in our online store – just choose the issues you’d like and follow the check-out prompts. You’ll receive a secure download link via email automatically, allowing instant access to our past issues. These are delivered as high-resolution PDF files, which are compatible with all computers and require no software installation.

We’ll continue to add back issues in digital format, so check back soon as the range increases!

July’s issue of NGDU is packed with ideas – from Peter Kendall’s description of “starting with the story” for his freelanced On30 Apple Cove layout; to details from the rear sides of retail shops; to the amazing diversity of amusement railways and inspirations for modelling.

There’s also plenty of modelling projects – building simple machines for structure interiors; a brilliant ‘auto repair shop’ diorama; simple OO9 conversions and Mark Fry’s step-by-step account of building an iconic timber bridge.

Get your copy at our stockists, or order online.

The April issue of Narrow Gauge Downunder features the Colorado & Southern’s Clear Creek line. This mid-sized On3 line was built by NGDU’s editor Gavin Hince, and aims to capture the iconic narrow gauge line amid the Rockies.

This issue also features some brilliant ‘field railway’ modelling by Dirk Becker in 1:22.5 – the “Gneetzapplebahn” shows what’s possible with large scale in small spaces! Hanns Hirblinger also chimes in with a detailed roundhouse model that depicts a busy repair facility for a field railway.

Plus, David Dunn explores simple-but-effective techniques for model photography; the conclusion of the ‘Great Australian Railway project’; more on CAD and even, a rail truck kit bash. There is plenty to interest in the April issue!

For all the fun in the January issue, just subscribe online or purchase an individual copy at our online store.

A new year and a whole new slew of narrow gauge fun! Get the January issue of Narrow Gauge Downunder today…

2022 kicks off with a visit to Laurie Green MMR’s On3 layout, which puts readers in the place of railfans during the Rio Grande Southern’s final decade.

Scratchbuilders will find plenty to please, with a large-scale coaling tower; a river boat project and a neat UK carriage conversion project. You’ll also learn a simple method to simulate varnished timber.

Prototype fans aren’t disappointed, with coverage of Australia’s fascinating jetty railways, and more on the architecture of Qld shops. Finally, we’ll visit “Gould”, Daniel Templeton’s amazing 1:48 Victorian Railways diorama.