Popular Post James Hilton Posted September 9, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted September 9, 2023 (edited) In June 2022 I started a project that has completely changed my British standard gauge modelling… introducing (rather retrospectively) Paxton Road (2)… In the days of RMweb3 and then the early RMWeb community I was modelling 1998/2000 in OO, having never given British N serious thought. Two things changed that… 1st, a increasing dissatisfaction with the ‘OO’ compromise. 2nd the increasing quality of ‘modern image’ British N. So, a Farish 31, Dapol 26 and a few wagons arrived along with some British Finescale code 40 bull-head track kits and a scheme dreamt up to dip my toe in the water. The layout had a few aims, as well as evaluating the track and DG couplings and my magnet system I was keen to see if I could ‘dial my eye in’ to the smaller scale in terms of detail, colour and texture. The scheme is inspired by the small yard at Barnstaple but has the ‘could be anywhere’ vibe I often manage to imbue in my small projects. The size? Well it’s half my usual OO scale cameo box! Someone mentioned they didn’t think you could just halve the dimensions and achieve the same realism. So I did, and I think it worked pretty well! Helped by the backscene, this is an ID one that I desaturated with an overspray of white primer. The scenic treatment is restrained and used just the shortest and dullest of fibres. Structures at the rear use paper overlays, the cement silo is scratchbuilt using an inverted Ratio OO GWR conical water tower at its core! One thing I’ve been careful to maintain was the ambition to just weather and replace couplings - and in the main, everything seem here is out of the box Farish, Dapol and Revolution. The success has also been somewhat of a surprise, and I took it to Doncaster for the World of Railways exhibition in February of this year where it received plenty of interest with some even going as far as to suggest it was the best thing there! I did intend to sell it on and build a slightly larger one but it works, its simplicity holds my attention span for short operation at home and it’s nature means I can pretend it’s anywhere in the country and to an extent, any time, by switching stock about. It’s happiest with the newest Farish 08s though, and with a simple Gaugemaster W and the uncoupling magnets with DG couplings I can spend many happy moments just getting lost in this small scene. It has been a catalyst too for my latest layout, a larger 1000mm cameo in N, based upon the Avonside Wharf branch in Bristol circa 1980. As well as featuring on my blog (https://paxton-road.blogspot.com/search/label/Paxton Road) it will also be seen in my new book ‘The Art of Railway Modelling’ published shortly by Wild Swan. I’ve used it in a number of videos on my YouTube channel (below). I hope the layout demonstrates not only the quality and possibilities that modern British N offers the modeller, but also the opportunity of creating a truly immersive model railway experience in the smallest of spaces. Any questions or comments I’ll try and answer them. For the latest, I update my website and blog daily (https://paxton-road.blogspot.com) where the layout is often featured. Edited September 9, 2023 by James Hilton 27 6 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Hilton Posted September 9, 2023 Author Share Posted September 9, 2023 I’m pleased to share that the layout will be on display at the Llangollen Railway diesel gala on Saturday 16th September, all day, in the waiting room on the platform at Corwen station. If you’re heading to that I’d love to see you and share my enthusiasm for the hobby, scale and small cameo layouts in general! 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post James Hilton Posted September 9, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted September 9, 2023 18 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Hilton Posted September 9, 2023 Author Share Posted September 9, 2023 The layout lives on an IKEA Lack shelf at home. 16 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Hilton Posted September 9, 2023 Author Share Posted September 9, 2023 I have some earlier period stock, but these days that is destined for the new layout… 15 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post James Hilton Posted September 9, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted September 9, 2023 19 3 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Hilton Posted September 10, 2023 Author Share Posted September 10, 2023 14 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post James Hilton Posted September 10, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted September 10, 2023 16 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ramblin Rich Posted September 10, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 10, 2023 It's great to see you posting on here again James. I've been reading through your blog since getting your 'Small layout design handbook' and there's some really inspiring stuff there, but seeing these closeups here (plus Lochdubh on your blog) definitely shows how good modern N gauge is. Not doing my procrastination any good! 😉 2 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Hilton Posted September 10, 2023 Author Share Posted September 10, 2023 Thank you Rich. I don’t intend to make a habit of posting here, but am trying to up the visibility of these N layouts I’m working on because of the promise I think the scale holds. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Hilton Posted September 10, 2023 Author Share Posted September 10, 2023 One thing I have noticed is that whilst certain locomotives settle in, others just don’t feel right… There was nothing inherently wrong with any of these, I was most disappointed I think when the DB 66 wasn’t as smooth and quiet as I had hoped because it was purchased for my new ‘modern’ era. They all found a new home quickly… 8 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Hilton Posted September 10, 2023 Author Share Posted September 10, 2023 14 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ramblin Rich Posted September 10, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 10, 2023 3 hours ago, James Hilton said: Thank you Rich. I don’t intend to make a habit of posting here, but am trying to up the visibility of these N layouts I’m working on because of the promise I think the scale holds. Does that mean we'll see Lochbubh and perhaps Gerald Road here as well? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Hilton Posted September 10, 2023 Author Share Posted September 10, 2023 Yes in time. As you know though, the best place to find me and my modelling is my blog! 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Hilton Posted September 10, 2023 Author Share Posted September 10, 2023 Paxton Road has even begun to feel a bit AV Dawson of late… 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Hilton Posted September 11, 2023 Author Share Posted September 11, 2023 (edited) Shades of Lawrence Hill, Bristol. Edited September 11, 2023 by James Hilton 13 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Sweet pea Posted September 11, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 11, 2023 Hi James this is a super micro layout you have modelled, brilliant work👍 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold C126 Posted September 11, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 11, 2023 (edited) I am no expert on the layouts 'out there', but this looks stunning to me. The figures are wonderful. I can not wait to get home to-night and watch your You Tube videos. Thanks for posting this thread. P.s. I love the 'Panoramic' picture of Saturday, 21.30. Edited September 11, 2023 by C126 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Hilton Posted September 11, 2023 Author Share Posted September 11, 2023 15 minutes ago, C126 said: I am no expert on the layouts 'out there', but this looks stunning to me. The figures are wonderful. I can not wait to get home to-night and watch your You Tube videos. Thanks for posting this thread. P.s. I love the 'Panoramic' picture of Saturday, 21.30. 1 hour ago, Kevin Johnson said: Hi James this is a super micro layout you have modelled, brilliant work👍 Thanks both, and to all who have stopped by to like the posts. If you enjoy the videos please consider subscribing to the channel. As I mentioned - my blog is updated daily with personal projects and commissions, and makes, I’m told, a good coffee break read - obviously always happy to oblige! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonas Posted September 11, 2023 Share Posted September 11, 2023 17 hours ago, James Hilton said: One thing I have noticed is that whilst certain locomotives settle in, others just don’t feel right… I’d love to see you tackle one of the NGS Hunslets. Love all of this (as you know from Instagram!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Hilton Posted September 11, 2023 Author Share Posted September 11, 2023 16 minutes ago, jonas said: I’d love to see you tackle one of the NGS Hunslets. Love all of this (as you know from Instagram!) No place for Industrials for myself in N, but if someone asked me to weather one I’d happily enjoy bringing it to life! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Hilton Posted September 11, 2023 Author Share Posted September 11, 2023 7 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oncomin5torm Posted September 11, 2023 Share Posted September 11, 2023 This layout looks superb, I dont get on well with N gauge myself, but I can tell when someone does I tip my hat to thee. Well done. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SZ Posted September 11, 2023 Share Posted September 11, 2023 It certainly got me thinking of something in N on a Mosslanda shelf. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Hilton Posted September 11, 2023 Author Share Posted September 11, 2023 1 minute ago, SZ said: It certainly got me thinking of something in N on a Mosslanda shelf. I’m currently doing the same, and have previously done a Cambrian scene based upon the bridge at Ynyslas… more on my blog, link below in my signature… 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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