James Hilton

1 hour ago, British Rail said:

James your layout is very nice and I have enjoyed reading your blog.

Thank you, I’m glad you enjoy the blog too!

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.

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.

On 19/12/2023 at 20:13, Jol Wilkinson said:

 

"I make model railways not models of railways" sums it up completely.

 

I prefer to make a model of a railway, even though it might be a fictitious location and set in a variable time span (within limits). I can enjoy research, design, model building, etc. replicating as well as I can a little bit of transport and social history.

 

That's different to enjoying a model railway which can be a total invention of your own imagination, limited only by the money and time you have available to spend on it.

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. 

3 hours ago, Nova Scotian said:

With the details it would have been rude not to...

 

Green lined one winging its way to my family, I'll collect the next time I'm there. I'll look for some PBA transfers and a made up nameplate sometime.

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

Thanks both!