Chris Marchant (CJM)

[AY Mod]

Thank you to @Revolution Ben for the following obituary.

 

OBITUARY

CHRIS MARCHANT – ‘CJM’ – 1953-2021

 

 

Chris Marchant, the hugely influential creator of CJM Models who redefined expectations of the quality of British outline N gauge modelling, has died at the age of 68.

 

Chris founded CJM in 1987 from his own love of N gauge and difficulty finding models to reach his exacting standards.  His exquisite hand-painted and assembled models with heavy, flywheel-drive chassis set the benchmark for what was possible in modern image N gauge, at a time when rivals were still dated drive systems and unrealistic, shiny wheels.

 

As befits handmade models they came with a price to match, but Chris’s loyal customers often said the quality and haulage power of their bespoke Class 50s, 56s, 59s, 60s, 66s, 67s and 92s were enjoyed long after the cost was forgotten.

 

Chris was born in Shropshire in 1953.  As a child his family moved several times due to his father’s job with NatWest bank before settling in Kent, where Chris attended Gravesend Grammar School.  After leaving school, he began working in motor sales before moving into financial services and joining Mercantile Credit.

 

After setting up CJM, initially offering repaints of standard Graham Farish models carried out in the back of his garage, he moved to the Newington Enterprise Centre in the early 1990s.

 

There, with his long-time collaborator Bernard Taylor of TPM, he began developing his own range of models using resin and photoetched brass to create levels of detail previously unheard of in British N gauge.  This started with the Class 73, which was based around an American chassis.

 

In the early days Chris valued the support and assistance of Graham Shaw (of Shawplan) and of Mike and Jenni Watts (Fox Transfers) who provided etchings and transfers, while his son Gareth used his design experience to create the artwork.

 

At this time the Channel Tunnel was in full construction, and Eurotunnel were looking for locomotives and rolling stock for the huge layout they had planned for the Folkestone visitor centre.  Realising no mass market products would perform as required, Eurotunnel approached CJM to produce Class 92 locomotives that would be able to run for 22 actual miles each week without requiring complete rebuilds.

 

This led to the development of the CJM ‘Saturn’ chassis which fulfilled all requirements - including the ability, under test, to pull a train weighing 2kg up scale gradients – that’s roughly the same as two full bags of sugar!

 

As well as motive power, Chris developed models of the various Eurotunnel car and lorry transporter wagons; these were put on sale as kits that were often packed by family members including Gareth, who remembers it as ‘a great education in the value of work and earning money.’

 

Now Chris had developed his own ‘Saturn’ chassis (so named because it ‘ran rings around everything else’) CJM grew rapidly.  Supported by a growing, and loyal, customer base the Class 92 was followed by the Class 59, Class 66, Class 56, Class 67 and Class 50.

 

 

 

 

In 1989 Chris met the Princess of Wales, and Princes William and Harry, when they were presented with a commemorative N-gauge model of The Travelling College that he had been commissioned to make.

 

He was also a familiar face on the exhibition circuit – attending the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition and The International N Gauge Show most years until recently – and loved meeting existing customers and finding new ones.

 

As well as producing CJM models, Chris was well known for his airbrush tutorials which he hugely enjoyed and offered his students the opportunity to at least aspire to the levels of painting finish and detail he could achieve.

 

He was also very generous with his advice and time; when Mike Hale and I were starting Revolution Trains he freely offered us invaluable suggestions and feedback around chassis design and customer engagement.

 

Away from model railways Chris retained his interest in cars.  He was a keen follower of Formula 1, with a passion for Ferrari, and loved driving his sporty Alfa Romeo roadster.

 

He also enjoyed modelling; away from N gauge trains his preference was for large scale cars and military vehicles including tanks and aircraft.  Learning I lived opposite an RAF base in Cambridgeshire in the early 2000s he asked me to send photos of the Phantom F-4 that served as gate-guardian.

 

In recent years Chris’s health had declined and he suffered a stroke which affected his eyesight.  He died peacefully in hospital with his family at his side.

 

Chris is survived by his two children, Matthew and Gareth, his partner Marian and his three beloved grandchildren Thomas, Joshua and Lucas.

 

Chris had a long-standing love of the sea and the sea front. During summer months he loved to take a daily dip and spent happy hours walking his dog or playing with his grandchildren at the water’s edge.  His family requests that any donations in his memory be made to the Thanet Coast Project - http://www.thanetcoast.org.uk/how-to-help/make-a-donation/

 

Matthew and Gareth would like to thank all Chris’s friends/customers for their support over the years, and hope they continue to find enjoyment in the models that their father loved to create for many years to come.  Knowing there is a part of him out there, as a lasting memory, is a great comfort; to Chris Marchant his creations were not just products but lovingly crafted pieces of art.

 

[Steven B]

A true gentleman of the hobby of the hobby - always willing to pass on help and advice even if you weren't spending money with him.

 

Steven B.

[osbornsmodels]

ipOur next door neighbour at TINGS for many years.  A great modeller and innovator. We and his many friends and customers will miss him. Condolences to his family. RIP

[Kris]

A great loss to the modelling community, particularly those modelling in n gauge. 

[Duncan.]

I first became aware of Chris and CJM models when I became Trade Liasion Officer for the N Gauge Society in the mid 1990s. He was the most skilled, determined and enthusiastic (N Gauge) modeller I have met.  He had a very down to earth and straight forward approach in all modelling aspects.

I cannot think of anyone else that has had a more valueable contribution to the raising of N Gauge modelling standards. We developed a long friendship and I was lucky enough to have airbrushing lessons from the master. During our frequent discussions he related many tips to me, I think this was the most important - it is always in my mind when I am making models. We were discussing accuracy, Chris said;

'It's not any more difficult to get something right as it is wrong. A measurement of 15.5mm is no harder to achieve than 15.0mm.'

Thank you Chris.

 

Condolenses to Matthew, Gareth, and Marian. 

 

Duncan.

 

    

[Robert Shrives]

A great gent and will be missed, I enjoyed all my purchases and indeed the Saturn Chassis was a brilliant evolution.   I recall at a TINGS show he rocked up in a gold finish motor CJM1 !!    As said always willing to offer advice and supply parts with a  smile.   Ben has said it all- thanks. 

Robert  

[BernardTPM]

I had the privilege of working with Chris for many years. He was always very professional, worked hard and provided a First Class product, not to mention ongoing support for what he made. More than that though, he was a good friend. Thanks Chris, going to miss our chats.

Bernard

[bmthtrains - David]

Very sad news. My CJM 92 remains the pride of my collection of rolling stock and is an outstanding model even compared to the RTR Revolution model. Chris was always a pleasure to deal with and a truly central figure in pushing British N gauge forward.

 

The 92 will be running around my Kato test track later today in memory.

 

David

[Stu from EGDL]

Hi Gang,

 

I first met Chris a number of years ago and we built a friendship ever since then. I have bought various locos from him over the years, and obtained several 2nd hand that he was only too willing to ‘breathe’ over to bring them back to their full glory. All this was done willingly and with the occasional visit to Kent to receive advice and tips on how to better my own modelling skills. I never left his workshop without some advice or a little bit of detailing parts or decals to help me on my way. 

His love of large scale modelling and Ferrari were his way of separating the work side from his pleasure. His detailing and paint finish on an 1/24 F15 ‘Eagle’ aircraft were a sight to behold.

He was truly happy with Marion and it was a joy to see them together. He has raised a couple of fine boys and was blessed with grandchildren. 
We always chatted about the detachments I spent flying with the RAF in various sandpits around the world and especially the Falkland Islands. It was painful to see him suffer failing health in the last few years and we talked over the difficulties he was experiencing with coordination to continue his painting and modelling. He remained enthusiastic throughout and his passing is a sad loss to anyone who has ever had the joy of owning his products. I was truly proud to regard him as a friend.

Per Ardua ad Astra, Chris.

 

Stu from EGDL.