James Hilton

Whilst today’s Class 158s on the Far North will surely be facing the same fate, it is the Class 26 that will always, for me, be the most sorely missed…

The autumn of 1984 proved to be the last chance to catch Sulzer type 2 power on the Kyle branch with the commissioning of the RETB (Radio Electric Token Block) system and introduction of the Class 37. As a child at the time I was blissfully unaware of that loss, instead stuck in my library book time lag where the plucky BoBos plied the route with their short Mk1 coach trains. 

The Dapol N gauge model is a wonderful capture of the character of the prototype. A few errors, which I live with - the shade of blue being the worst offender! Sat on Lochdubh, today I have created my own time machine. As the tardis, bigger on the inside my little slice of Scotland proves time and again to be a wonderful tonic and balm to a busy and stressful world. Until next time, more soon…

Funny you mention that. I’ve got a cameo scheme drawn up for Cameron Bridge, and it would fit in about 1m in N, I think.

This week has seen a re-focus on the Speedlink story - and especially 'Scottish' flavoured traffic. As well as some N gauge Society tank wagons (which will become Molasses tank wagons, as used on the Menstrie branch) I sourced a couple of carbon dioxide 'Distillers' tank wagons (as used on the Cameron Bridge branch). These are from Shapeways and printed in their new high resolution clear material which seems ok, but no better than the old 'Frosted Ultra Detail' really - certainly I'm not sure it's worth the price over the tan material. I am looking forward to bringing these all to life - but alongside you can see more Scottish flavoured projects providing some framing to the scene! The Tullis Russell PAA was a fun project I've written about previously. On the right is one of a quartet of re-worked Peco grain hoppers with parts designed by Will at Coventry Railworks - I have road-tested these kits, and I hope he is able to release them soon as they're lovely things! 

The childhood railway experiences of mine were two contrasts. The full fat bright colours of British Rail sectorisation on hand at Chester station with the desaturated black-and-white imagery found in books at the library…

I have found myself expanding my model collection with less attention, perhaps intention to specific modelling projects. This ‘scope creep’ goes beyond existing layouts to dreams of new ones, attracted by images in books, videos on YouTube or snatches of long forgotten memories. A refocus brings what is important more clearly into sharp relief. This morning I put out a few of my Scottish models, enjoying their small form, the work of Chinese toolmakers and my hand in artful weathering. 

These feel welcome, calming, I feel at home amongst them.

Lochdubh continues to delight, and whilst dreams of a larger exhibition style project based upon my imaginary branch line linger I continue to feel very much in love with this incredibly small slice of the Scottish Highlands.

I opened with a reflection on ‘de-saturation’ in terms of experience of the prototype. I continued with the idea that through refocusing our modelling we can feel a lifting of the weight. 

The weight of expectation that all these items will one day require a layout! 

De-saturation if you like, space to breathe…

Until next time, more soon…

In the summer of 2022 Paxton Road was conceived. Today, in the spring of 2024 it is loved. What has happened in the intervening period is scope creep and a recent refocus, let me explain…
 

We are all guilty of the impulsive purchase - and the very nature of the layout almost rewarded such an approach, its blank canvas making any new model feel at home. From pre-TOPS hydraulic to big red shed with a lot in between I’ve enjoyed the evolution and maturing of this wonderful layout.   
 

However - storage space is not infinite. Nor is my wallet! The opportunity to revisit the core essence of the layout was happened upon by chance, by placing the Railfreight 26 and a few suitable wagons on the layout, shorter, more compact 2 axle affairs… this brought the reason for its genesis clearly into focus and drove my recent ‘clear out’ of the 22, 24, 25 and 31 along with their vacuum braked stock. 

Paxton Road is Speedlink, it is 1990 and it is inspired by Scotland.

I’ve enjoyed every moment of the scope creep and I’m sure more will occur but coming back to the raison d’etre, the purest of inspiration, the grey Sulzer has helped me reign back a collection release funds and find renewed enthusiasm for this tiny slice of make believe.

Perhaps today is an opportunity for you to take a moment to assess your current project, or projects and revisit their genesis. Ask yourself are you happy with things as they stand or have you too fallen for retail therapy? It can be incredibly rewarding to refocus on the purest distillation of our inspiration and let the rest go… but for now until next time, more soon…

Genuinely it is lovely to see you enjoying it!

For anyone who missed this, one of my more expansive cameos, ‘Pont Dulas’ is for sale:

https://paxton-road.blogspot.com/2024/03/for-sale-pont-dulas-in-n.html

On 23/03/2024 at 16:13, GWR57xx said:

Lovely photo, very evocative & full of atmosphere.

Thank you!

4 hours ago, jamest said:

Hi,

 

Having asked about your track on your scottish layout thread, and gotten inspiration from your other layouts, I have taken the plunge and.....joined the 2mm society - got some DG couplings....also a blue hymek and class 25......and a class 121 after seeing your 'winter scene' single line halt.

 

oh and I got a certain book (Small Layout Design Handbook) for my birthday last week. My wife wants a word with you as you are a bad influence apparently 😆.

 

I am planning a micro so I can order some track (sticking with N gauge British Finescale) - hopefully will start something here soon.

 

regards,

James

James - sounds like the bug has truly bitten. The small layout offers those with space a welcome distraction and chance to indulge in diversions away from a longer term project. It offers the space starved a valuable approach to creating real character in a small space. A small layout is not small on the inside!

Good luck with the N - I have loved it all. The DG Couplings transform the look of models and the Farish locomotives run beautifully.

Sold

08761, a gently weathered Farish 08, silent on Paxton Road. This transports me not just to childhood memories of Chester station watching similar liveried Sprinters, but to the library on a Saturday morning, in the basement level, sat on the big box steps at the back with a book from the ‘Transport’ section pouring over all the new sector liveries. 

Today’s blog, a slightly off-piste commentary on ‘art’ again…

https://paxton-road.blogspot.com/2024/03/nostalgia-and-lack-of-clutter.html

This is the stuff I use:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06Y67D1JH/ref=pe_27063361_485629781_TE_item

I think you’ve created something wonderful here. Lovely work.

I wonder if adding a passing loop would spoil the feel of the layout somewhat, its compact nature possible due to its limited complexity? I’d also suggest you’ve perhaps ‘overlit’ the layout? I would be using only one strip of LED in something of this size, glued to the inside top edge of the pelmet. If shadows are a problem, a second strip mid way would help, but I’ve never had a problem needing to use a diffuser. If you search in my blog I think there is a link to the brand of LED strip I use on all my projects these days.

Just a reminder that this cameo micro layout is for sale still at £175

https://paxton-road.blogspot.com/2024/03/for-sale-traeth-hafren-in-n.html

Thank you

Equally... 

Perfect train length for a Mosslanda!

I can't remember where I have seen it recently, but there is a photo of one of these locomotives on a coal haul in Scotland being loaded with a big wheeled shovel truck thing - not sure if it was imported coal at a dock somewhere? The wagons were HEAs but the Farish HAA are a much nicer model than their HEA so you've made a wise choice. Perhaps something inspired by that could be a good start? Take your time and enjoy each stage - including the planning. If you can draw, sketch out in 3D what it could look like, if you struggle with that cut up some cereal boxes and make a 'Paddington' view of the layout. 

My Dapol 26 are lovely running models.

Thank you!

It continues to delight - long beyond what many would suggest would be such a simple layouts 'sell by date'.

Thank you!

4 hours ago, jamest said:

Can you confirm your track choice - and if it is N gauge or 2mm FS?

 

Thanks for sharing, and inspiring.

James

The track is British Finescale code 40, in N gauge.

It is not 2mm finescale.

5 hours ago, 03060 said:

Have spent the weekend reading through the thread ... very slowly, which just felt right, somehow for this particular journey.

 

You've created a piece of Highland 'ambience' there James that immediately transports the viewer to the time and location ... it's one of those silent pieces .... where the mind then immediately starts to fill ones head with the appropriate sounds of the loco, the seagulls, the occasional vehicle crossing the bridge and best of all the the sounds and smells of a Highland Loch going about it's natural buisness ! Marvelous.

 

Regards,

Ian (a self confessed Scottish romantic all of his life ... despite being born and bred a die hard Yorkshireman ! LoL)

Ian - thank you. That is a wonderful reflection, I’m glad to have taken you there…

5 hours ago, 03060 said:

 

 

Thanks for that James, have got the BRM article, have got your latest book ... but have totally missed your Lochdubh thread ... expect lots of 'likes' and 'craftsmanship' notifications over the weekend from me !

 

Regards,

Ian.

Ian that’s great - I’m working on two new books too… hopefully one will

definitely be ready this year, a companion to ‘The Art’ with pure case studies - lots and lots of lovely layouts and full page imagery.

42 minutes ago, 03060 said:

 

Have I missed something somewhere, James, please .... or have I just forgotten (as usual !)

 

Regards,

Ian.

A project that has been ticking along is the 'flask' train in N - although the 31 isn't weathered yet, seen here 'running around' on Paxton Road it still has all the character of the prototype and brings the 1990s to life in my small cameo and in my heart. I love these sector liveries in particular. They recapture the excitement of the prototype 'new' in my youth...

This layout is for sale:

https://paxton-road.blogspot.com/2024/03/for-sale-traeth-hafren-in-n.html

Thanks Kevin!

The PiChem Severnbank works was a chemical manufacturing facility on the banks of the River Severn. Production ceased in 1992 after nearly 80 years at the site. Back in 1990 however, a daily weekday trip working operated along the Traeth Hafren branch serving the facility…

After the M4 had been built and the branch truncated the works was effectively accessed by a trailing spur, arriving trains propelled backwards into the works from Traeth Hafren. There was a loop in the reception sidings, so departing trains could run around before being propelled back onto the branch and returning to Twnel Hafren junction.

In these wintry photos taken 24 years ago this morning we see 31131 with its short train of PCA tank wagons used for one of the powdered salts used in detergent manufacture by Lever brothers at Ellesmere Port and Warrington. The photographer hasn’t noted quite what was going on but the train has drawn into the platform at Traeth Hafren which wasn’t always the case, usually they stopped at the telephone beside the line to phone for permission to access the works siding. Note the brakevan used on the trip working, due to the requirement to propel back into the works, an action that crossed several plant roads before reaching the loop.

Of course, this is my latest N gauge HifiMicro ‘Traeth Hafren’. The blue 31 on a short freight shows that even a small single track layout can have a variety of operation if a backstory is carefully crafted. The balance here is believable reality. The ICI works at Severnside was a trailing connection from the Severn Beach branch, trains could run around the train in the reception siding… it didn’t take much to go from that information to the faux history presented here. This concept is one I hope to expand on with a future, slightly larger single track scheme - one that features a chemical works AND a nuclear power station giving two excuses for freight traffic on an otherwise boring passenger branch-line. For now though, until next time, more soon…