Malcolm Furlow. HO Narrow Gauge Railroad You Can Build (1984)

     Malcolm Furlow. HO Narrow Gauge Railroad You Can Build (1984) Just what the title says. The book reprints a project railroad series first published in Model Railroader. The design of the layout has all the Furlow characteristics, especially his ability to design vistas, so that the layout looks good from almost any viewpoint, and as good from a distance as close up. The fantasy element is somewhat restrained compared to Furlow’s later efforts, but is still there: neither engineering nor economic principles played much of a role in laying down the invented prototype. But the effect is impressive, and only the Grinches of prototype fidelity would complain (they have complained, in fact, about Furlow’s latest work, which is little more than an animated diorama). Furlow covers all aspects of building a layout, although he tends to make craft seem much easier than it really is, and  emphasises scenery over rolling stock and track. *** (2004)