Creating Cameo Layouts

[Not Jeremy]

Creating Cameo Layouts by Iain Rice is now out and available to purchase.

 

 

Direct from http://titfield.co.uk/Wild-Swan/Model-Reference.htm or alternatively from your favourite bookseller. Price £24.95, 120pp, sewn softback on quality art paper and printed in the UK by Amadeus up at Cleckheaton.

 

Apologies for the rather delayed release - it was all my fault for making some rather last minute photographic improvements. I was aided by (and am extremely grateful to) Chris Nevard, Jerry Clifford and Dave Lowery in this regard.

 

Copies should be available at the excellent Chiltern Model Railway Exhibition next weekend, I believe Rail Books and Roger Carpenter will be carrying stock.

 

Simon Castens

Edited January 7, 2017 by Not Jeremy

[westerner]

Anybody read a copy yet, if so what's it like?

[298]

 

I've had mine for a couple of days, but have only had a quick flick through and have yet to read it thoroughly and so it would be wrong to comment accordingly. Like most of his books, it isn't a "Haynes Manual", but rather something to get you into a certain mind set, and works well when sat on a coffee table for occasional browsing or temptingly left on the bookshelf with its friends.

 

Having designed and built such layouts for a while, something that seems to be missing is more of an explanation of how to design an easily workable trackplan for the intended stock, and I've found that the artwork of some of Iain's plans looks magnificent but would work better operationally with a few changes. It's still worth the money though, although I tend to only buy a couple of magazines every year instead of a subscription, and spend the rest on a Wild Swan book.

[Not Jeremy]

For those that are after more information, Paul Marshall Potter has just published a review of the book on his blog.

 

https://albionyard.wordpress.com/2017/01/13/creating-cameo-layouts-iain-rice-wild-swan-books/

[81A Oldoak]

My cpoy arrived today from The Titfield Thunderbolt Railway Bookshop in Bath, which offers a great service (and endearingly uses railway postcards for invoices).  My first impression of this book is that I didn't learn anything new and there was a fair amount of recycled material. I was disappointed that 0 gauge was barely represented given the the large number of cameo models that have appeared over the past few years stimulated by the emergence of small RTR locos. Nevertheless, I like Ricey's style and have many of his titles in my library so I was always going to buy this book.

[justin1985]

My first impression of this book is that I didn't learn anything new and there was a fair amount of recycled material.

My copy arrived yesterday (after ordering from Titfield direct - having put my name on the waiting list at Warley seemingly made no difference).

 

I don't think the above opinion is entirely fair, to be honest. Yes there are some pictures and plans in the book that have appeared in some of Iain's previous books, but this is a completely different beast and they are used quite differently.

 

This book is much more of an overview of a philosophy of modelling, so it's not really a case of recycling material. The plans and layouts we've seen before are used here as examples of particular approaches rather than really being featured in their own right. I really enjoyed seeing pictures of Butley Mills and Wolverstone under construction - these layouts were before my time and while I know of them from "Finescale in Small Spaces" - it's great to see them from a different perspective and better understand the scenic dodges used as view breaks etc.

 

So, maybe I've not learned much entirely new, but I have a much better understanding of things I was already aware of. Lighting is a very good example of this.

 

On the lack of 7mm, the book does explicitly mention that. Given one of the criteria Rice defines for a "cameo" layout is that it should be movable as one self contained unit, that makes it difficult to do much in 7mm that encompasses the other scenic aspects that are part of the philosophy. He does cite Arun Quay as a good example of making it work, but it is rare. There is also a lack of modern image layouts in any scale, but then this book is about Iain's approach - if he chooses to focus on Steam, that's fair enough!

 

This book feels like a very mature piece of writing, and a natural development from his earlier book. It's got the feeling of seamlessly providing an overview in a way that can skip effortlessly between examples.

 

I'd never actually read Iain's Light Railway plans book, but managed to track down a second hand copy at a not too extortionate price, that arrived the same time as Cameos. I enjoyed it just as much, but different horses for different courses!

 

If there is a disappointment for me it's just the fact that a few of the pictures are quite pixelated. I think this must be one of Wild Swan's first digitally produced books under the new management, so probably still a bit of a learning curve in production.

[Zero Gravitas]

My copy arrived today, beautifully wrapped in a Titfield Thunderbolt carrier bag, and with a Wild Swan Catalogue and a postcard of HSTs in their absolute best livery at Paddington in 1981, before being securely packed for postage.

 

Thank you indeed, Mr. Castens. This is exactly how good customer service should be!

[Mike Bellamy]

Phil Parker has reviewed this book on his 'workbench blog' here

http://philsworkbench.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/book-review-creating-cameo-layouts-by.html

 

 

.

[Captain Kernow]

Phil Parker has reviewed this book on his 'workbench blog' here

http://philsworkbench.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/book-review-creating-cameo-layouts-by.html

 

 

.

Nice review, and I notice that it ends with the words (possibly not Phil's own, though): 'you can buy the book from Amazon'.

 

Personally, I think we should be buying our copies from good railway booksellers, if not from The Man Who is Not Jeremy himself.

 

I do like this book, having had several good looks at all the photos and have even read some of the text and captions. I did like the suggested cameo layout designs at the back, and indeed the examples illustrated throughout the book, but being someone of limited imagination when it comes to layout design (or so I've been told), I might have liked it even more if perhaps there had been even more suggested layout plans.

 

I'd certainly have liked to have seen a couple more photos of Chris Nevard's latest tiny opus and also a track plan (although some might justifiably tell me to look at Chris's blog or maybe find it in Model Rail).

[Phil Parker]

Nice review, and I notice that it ends with the words (possibly not Phil's own, though): 'you can buy the book from Amazon'.

 

Personally, I think we should be buying our copies from good railway booksellers, if not from The Man Who is Not Jeremy himself.

 

Nope - those are mine. Using the Amazon affiliates programme, if you buy the book through the like, I get a TINY percentage which helps toward costs of running the blog. It's also useful if you don't have a proper bookseller to buy it from, there are a lot of overseas readers for example. Amazon is likely to have books in stock in a few years time too, or at least booksellers working through them are, so if you fancy a copy in years to come, it's an option you still have when finding the review through a search engine.

 

However, I bought my copy from Ian Allan in Birmingham (their last copy) and would recomend proper booksellers first. I spend loads of time on-line and then anoy people by prefering real model shops or traders at shows to buying over the net where at all possible. I also like second hand book shops a lot...

[s.e. charles]

i can save you all that reading:  

[Talltim]

I'm am going to use Titfield for my future book purchases when they have the books I want. Before Christmas I bought the new Martin Nield book for my dad. My parents were visiting on a Saturday and this reminded me on the Friday that I needed to get it ordered to arrive in time to wrap it and post it on. I ordered it Friday lunchtime and it arrived Saturday lunchtime while the parents were there! Complete with the handwritten postcard (class 08 wheels)

Also going to get this book, I'm a fan of the cameo layout concept, especially when they are multi-cameo. I love the layout in this MR article  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AhBKiUccWbLeh1lFEZkA3oNjQUkD

Edited January 27, 2017 by Talltim

[Not Jeremy]

Thank you for the very nice comments regarding Titfield deliveries, I do try and have even been told that I am very trying.

 

As does George, my trusty friend, who is the brains behind all the databases and systems and also an ace book packer.

 

If I may correct one aspect of the Amazon discussion, this and all other Wild Swan books are not available from Amazon themselves, but rather from bona fide retailers who choose to place books for sale through Amazon, the two outfits in this case being Andrew Neale and Woodpecker Books.

 

I am glad people are on the whole liking the book and appreciate both Phil Parker's and Paul Marshall Potter's reviews, to name but two, as they are thoughtfully written and are not praising anything blindly, for want of a better expression. I don't want to start criticising my own stuff but I'd agree with Tim's comments that we could have done with a few more examples and schemes.

 

I'm quite fired up by the book myself though and am trying to come up with a Gauge One cameo using "Pomparles Siding" as a basis, which was itself the result of the very excellent "Six Square Foot Challenge" here on RMweb when we were all much younger. I think Pugsley won that, from memory.

 

Right - tea down and back to packing up Cameo Layouts for onward distribution...

 

Best Wishes to all

 

Simon Castens

[PaulRhB]

Well I picked up my copy direct from his not jeremy'ness and have been randomly dipping in. It's another lovely book and while I don't fully follow all his 'essentials' it's thought provoking so a good read so far. This is what lifts a Rice book above the usual planning books but steers clear of going too theoretical. It's sat on the sofa to hand for a week which is a sign of a good book in my place

[Respite]

I got a copy of this yesterday, yes it's a nice book but very expensive for what it is at £24.95 for a paperback.

 

I am also surprised at the small font sized type used, my copy seems to have a smaller typeface on the first ten pages or so then changes. If Wild Swan had been a bit more generous with the number of pages we could have had larger diagrams most of which are too small and larger photos.

I would recommend having a magnifier handy.

[NHY 581]

Are we to see a 'Cameo layout ' challenge then.........?

 

Rob

[Not Jeremy]

Rob, yes there will be a Cameo challenge. I was down in deepest darkest (actually it was lovely and sunny) Devon yesterday discussing the very subject with Iain himself. A piece launching and explaining the competition will appear in MRJ very shortly.

 

Simon

[NHY 581]

That sounds like a plan, Simon. I shall keep an eye out for that.

 

As for the book itself, I had a copy for my birthday last week courtesy of yourselves via the Memsahib who is a proper fan of the Titfield Thunderbolt. 'Old skool service' as she put it.....( loved the postcard receipt and great book mark )

 

A great read, very inspirational with a typically entertaining text from Mr Rice.

 

 

Now, how about a similar book from that Nevard bloke.......

 

 

Rob.

[Danemouth]

I did fancy this book but give the cost versus number of pages I decided against it.

 

On occasions like this I miss Ian Allan in Cardiff - i could have had a quick look at it and decide whether it was worth my while to spend the money

 

Dave

[Stephenwolsten]

Well written but poor value for money at this pice.

[LBRJ]

A most excellent book written in Mr Rice's usual highly readable style ; as someone else has mentioned it is very good at "getting you into the mindset".

 

I particularly liked the manner in which the progression of the "cameo" idea is followed through from historical first principles to the rather brilliant looking Longwood Edge.

 

Price? As I have probably already spent 10 hours or so reading it and inwardly digesting the ideas within, I would say it really is a bargain.

Add to that the nice refresh o my thoughts and it becomes somewhat impossible to value.

[John B]

Nope - those are mine. Using the Amazon affiliates programme, if you buy the book through the like, I get a TINY percentage which helps toward costs of running the blog. It's also useful if you don't have a proper bookseller to buy it from, there are a lot of overseas readers for example. Amazon is likely to have books in stock in a few years time too, or at least booksellers working through them are, so if you fancy a copy in years to come, it's an option you still have when finding the review through a search engine.

 

 

 

[snipped]

 

As am overseas reader )with an Amazon Prime account) I still chose to purchase this book (and others) from The Titfield Thunderbolt. Their airmail service is excellent, I received my books as quickly as I would from Amazon, and Simon also accepts credit cards AND PayPal.

 

Having Wild Swan books available for purchase online is a great step forward since Simon took over publication. And the service is always friendly and superb. Highly recommended!

[New Haven Neil]

Quality will never be cheap, so I don't have an issue with the price.  I got my copy from Simon too (great service again - thanks) and I must admit to being a great fan of Iain's writing, I enjoyed this book a lot but wondered if it just could have had that little more in way of plans and photos too. But it is an enjoyable read, thought provoking, and despite not really being a small layout person, it got me wondering about just a little one maybe in the house when its too cold in the garage....

 

I know Iain isn't enjoying the best of health, but I hope he continues to write - he has me as a captive reader, from way back in the Tregarrick days.  More, please.... :-)

[Zero Gravitas]

Well written but poor value for money at this pice.

 

I remember similar comments being made about the reprinted "Great Western Wagons" by Atkins, Beard and Tourett, which retailed at £55. I posted then (although I can't find it now) is that I always think of the cost of a book is related to the length of time for which it is going to be useful. An example of my own experience is my copy of Jim Russel's "Great Western Wagons Appendix" purchased in 1977 at the (then) significant cost of £3.70.  I looked something up in it last weekend - 40 years later. To me that's 9.25 pence per year for a really useful resource.

 

I still look at the original Iain Rice layout design books, more than 20 years after they were first published, and I think it's likely that I will be looking at Cameo layouts 20 years hence (assuming I'm still here).

 

It's also worth making the point that quality short-run printing in the UK is not a cheap business, and I very much doubt that Mr. Castens is getting very rich on the back of this... (of course if he turns up to Railex in a new Aston Martin I may have to revise that opinion).

 

I suppose I just saying that value is in the eye of the beholder, and for me £24.95 for something that is going to last 20 years seems like pretty good value.

[Not Jeremy]

Thank you very much for those nice comments regarding Titfield service - much appreciated. We don't always get it right, but we do try. I should add that I am greatly aided by my very good friend George Mumford who not only works very hard packing books but is also the genius who has built and manages the database driven parts of the website.

 

I hope folk won't mind but I won't be discussing price here, although I will say that I do actually give it quite a lot of thought. We are all entitled to our opinions and I have no problem with anyone saying whatever they think on this or any other aspect of the books, and I quite respect that these opinions are sincerely held and expressed.

 

As regards Iain, getting to know him a little has been one of the greatest of the many pleasures I have enjoyed since taking on Wild Swan. I'm sure he won't mind me saying that he has been told by his specialists that he will die with Parkinsons rather than of it, but it does nonetheless present him with some real challenges. He still gets a great deal done however and I hugely admire his good humour and the positive way in which he deals with it. I will stick my neck out and reveal that he is working on a new book for Wild Swan about which I am very excited, I hope to have more information on this later this year.

 

Back to Creating Cameo layouts, I do agree that it could have done with a few more worked up schemes and ideas. I am hoping that I can persuade Iain to write a little more around the subject through the pages of MRJ in connection with the Cameo competition idea, the introduction to which is now hopefully on its way to publication.

 

As an aside and going back to the Titfield Thunderbolt side of things, George and I have been interested if not a little surprised by what appears to us to be an increase in sales of back issues of Great Western Railway Journal (and possibly MRJ too) since the effective demise of GWJ was announced. I don't know whether other sellers of these titles have noticed anything similar?

 

Thank you again to everybody for all the interest and feedback on the book.

 

Best Wishes

 

Simon Castens