James Hilton

From 90s Speedlink to late 70s - today’s visit finds a pair of Molasses tanks for Distillers left in the yard… Wonderful models from Revolution Trains, weathered and fitted with discreet DG couplings.

What a collection of magazines there - some interesting company!!

I really like this! I always wanted to build this one, even collecting some of the stock for such a project - alas, time and a myriad of different projects always meant it slipped down the list so last year I sold the stock to release me from it's shackles - even better, I find you have embraced the idea and made it your own. Great work so far - I'm glad to have played a small part at the start, but the result is very much your own and it's been an enjoyable read so far, look forward to seeing how you tell the story in the next chapter!

Glad you’ve been inspired to create something small and hope you’re enjoying it.

I’ve just finished adding the subtlest of weathering to the model, a thin careful wash on the frames and some suggestion of staining from the load on the tank. The result is just enough to feel ‘part’ of the scene rather than out of the box, whilst retaining that ‘clean’ feel. Paired with the bland ‘general’ 08 she feels every bit the ‘end of speedlink’ era I am channeling with Paxton Road.

Whilst larger locomotives physically ‘fit’ the layout, they somehow don’t ‘fit’ the operation and style of the layout. Hence the 08s continue to rule the roost.

Indeed, very much like the whole layout.

Farish old and new, sitting comfortably together on Paxton Road, more about the Tullis Russell wagon in today’s blog: https://paxton-road.blogspot.com/2024/01/poole-era-paa-refresh-n-part-60.html

The layout has continued to offer moments of calm contemplation over the holidays.

I filmed this before Christmas, a bit of an overview of the layout in its incomplete but operational state.

Mine is just a Chinese Optivisor copy, I suspect they are all the same really, the copies anyway.

I feel I'm being quoted a little out of context here. My approach is not less realistic, less perfect - just it is not cold precision nor accurate operation. It is a model railway from the heart, I love this hobby and I hope that passion is embued in the models that I create. A small plug, if I may, if neither precision in scale or operation appeals, perhaps an artistic approach does - my latest book does try to start a conversation about this - where I talk about the idea with a little more detail and structure.

Thanks Keith, yes, indeed, the blend of scales and layout types and sizes I my workshop is constantly evolving but. British N is certainly something worth considering taking seriously.

Not H0, both running on N gauge mechs in TT1:120.

I haven’t really posted much here about the project, it has bubbled along nicely in the background and been a source of great solace on occasion, away from the stresses and strains of real life. I have put together a video, a heartfelt tour and dialogue about the layout - 10 minutes of chat, and 15 of the layout with some in action shots thrown in too…

I never did build a layout for her Ken, but I’ve recently been building another narrow gauge Canadian diesel, a GMD G8 from Newfoundland! Same scale! It will be interesting to compare them!

Thanks both, it is interesting to reflect that it’s a year ago that I built this project. A trip to Harlech beach last week had me yearning for another bite of the cake, we’ll see what happens in 2024.

Thanks both - the High Level kit 'should' fit, if it fits the Bachmann donor. I will need to check, confirm and adjust the mounting screw positions for the production prints.

I’ve just fitted sound to the model, so it was a chance to do a little bit of an overview. In terms of ‘the kit’, the design is obviously complete, I’m just working out minimum batch size, based upon etch artwork and 3D printer capacity - and will make the production run a multiple of that. Once we’re ready to announce it I’ll post on here (as well as to the Pi subscription email, Facebook and the like).

Thanks Simon, you are the first to notice! It appears we’ve managed to produce an etch with two left sides. It will be resolved with the utmost haste, etches won’t be back until the new year now though. Anyone who has purchased a set will receive a replacement free of charge, we’ll email you all today.

Last month I did a short video about why I love this layout, whilst it doesn’t show a lot of the layout up close it may be of interest…

It is not ready yet as a kit - the prototype model (Phil's commission) uses a Next18 Bachmann 03.

I did so some PBA decals for the wagons, but never did any locomotive ones.

Thanks both!

Thank you all, the response has been superb, Steve and I really really appreciate your support. Time for a last call, just 36 hours left of this seasonal offer... https://www.lightrailwaystores.co.uk/collections/planet-industrials