James Hilton

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…

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.

I have some earlier period stock, but these days that is destined for the new layout…

The layout lives on an IKEA Lack shelf at home.

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!

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.

Take a look on Dave Blazejewski’s Flickr for some inspiration. There are some smaller prototypes with short trains that operate on an industrial lead in Anchorage… that’s where I’d start… ditch the passenger cars and go for a layout a bit like my Beaverbrook, more on the blog under the Beaverbrook label: https://paxton-road.blogspot.com/search/label/beaverbrook

It's going to be wonderful to have this second edition available - and incredibly exciting to share the new book with you all too! This combines some thinking on the 'art' of the hobby with ideas on how to bring this more deliberately into our work - alongside a new selection of layout plans and illustrations as well. Book 3 you ask? I have already started.

Thanks Keith, I’m pleased Kinross inspired you. I find small cameo layouts a great way to scratch an itch and enjoy the hobby. Plenty more to build, more than I have space and time for, as I’m sure is the case for many of us!

It’s wonderful to hear how my book has begun to inspire and influence other modellers, and you’re the notnthe first person to be taken with Cromford Wharf. I think it has massive potential and look forward to seeing what you put together in 2mm!

I’m really pleased to read how people have enjoyed my book and taken some of the ideas to their own work in their own hand. This seems a great little project with a lot of opportunities for learning and enjoyment along the way. I notice you’ve been making steady progress, good luck. Don’t worry about traditional completion either… you’ll know when it has taught you all it can, and that’s the time to move on to the next thing.

What you’ve produced so far looks superb and I’m so honoured to find that it was my book that encouraged you to progress something like this ahead of larger schemes. Smaller layouts are wonderful for lots of reasons, be that all you can fit, skills practice, a chance to model something different, a desire to finish something or a whole host of other things. How far have things come since the last photos?

I am still overwhelmed every time someone says my book has inspired them to build a layout, of any description. I can’t wait to see this one develop, AC Railbus sounds super!

Glad you’ve please Kevin. Sounds like you’re sorted on the crew. For anyone asking in future they are available from us via Light Railway Stores: https://www.lightrailwaystores.co.uk/collections/planet-industrials?page=2

I only get a digital copy but the design and layout feels like it has gone up a gear, plus photography is always consistently good these days - though I do hate ‘computerised’ skies… Having met you all, I can say the magazine is put together by a passionate and friendly bunch too - I do think this comes across on the page too.

Have you emailed us about this problem? If so I'm sure Steve and I can resolve it either by replacement or repair. info@planetindustrials.co.uk to start the conversation! Thanks.

If you follow the Insta/Facebook you'll have seen we have a 'big' batch incoming, and the means to keep them more regularly available... Both this kit, and the NCB can for the Hatton's Barclay were both our biggest sellers - it is fantastic to get these back in production! If you sign up on the product page, it will let you know when they're available in stock.

I know Steve had prototypes done for these and the Rothervale ones, not sure where he was up to with production sets I’m afraid.

Thank you David - and all who continue to sing the praises of their models. It certainly has made the whole experience more worthwhile! Things are moving along slowly in the background on new stuff, but we're not in a position to share anymore yet. In the meantime, all liveries are still available from Light Railway Stores: https://www.lightrailwaystores.co.uk/collections/planet-industrials

Planet Industrials - Peckett 'Greenhithe' cut down cab conversion kit - available now! The Peckett 'W class' was a long lived 0-4-0ST design from the Bristol manufacturer, from the W2 from 1884 to the W7 in 1938. The Peckett 'Greenhithe' was a special based on the firms W6 design built in the late 1920s. Hornby's W4 is a turn of the century design and our kit provides a cut down style cab and steel buffer beams to post-date the model and represent the Greenhithe example, within the possibilities of using the existing chassis and saddle tank. The kit is comprised of a fret of etched details and 3D printed plastic parts including cab, replacement buffer beams and cut down chimney. We recommend sparing use of liquid superglue for adding the roof etch and details, ideally using a bottle with a thin applicator nozzle. The model requires a Hornby W4 Peckett, we recommend using one with the safety valves inside the lower flatter dome. Available now from Light Railway Stores for £38 including UK delivery. https://www.lightrailwaystores.co.uk/collections/planet-industrials/products/pil-004b