Tiny Micro Model Railway - Wrexham Central in just 55cm
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- Опубліковано 9 січ 2024
- In this video I take you on a tour of the Hifi Micro layout concept and introduce Wrexham Central / Wrecsam Canolog in British N scale. The layout is built to fit within and on a IKEA Mosslanda shelf - meaning it is just 55cm long and a little over 9cm deep.
Full build on here: paxton-road.blogspot.com/sear...
This project was a chance for me to try building a complex platform canopy in N scale - the rest of the scheme evolved to create a tiny slice of 'modern image' passenger operation. Whilst in my case I've modelled a single line terminus the same concept could be applied to modelling a bay platform of a much larger station.
Working in N gauge is a great challenge and one I'd encourage you all to try - I only made the switch a few years ago and now feel very much at home in the smaller scale - and the contrast between my modelling in 7/8ths, OO, 009, H0 and now N.
Wrexham Central is the terminus of the Transport for Wales 'Borderlands' route to Bidston and is today operated by 197s and 230s - but has in the past seen a variety of first and second generation DMUs.
More on the layout:
• HiFi Cameo Preview - N...
• Cameo Layout - Fiddle ... - Спорт
Stunning is all I can say.
I feel 2mm when well executed offers so much more than the larger scales to produce something realistic that as you say adds to the home without dominating or even frustrating.
Thank you Richard, it holds a lot of potential, especially with modern stock. The secret is patience, and being neat.
hi I live in Wrexham and know this well lf ony the real location was so clean & tidy great to see somewhere local modeled am currently working on a oo gauge micro-ish layout of Vicarage Crossing at Minera,the passion you have for the hobby shows in your modeling and is great to see.
Hi Rob, thank you, that’s very kind
Lovely micro layout, having seen progress evolve via the blog etc. What I love about this format is that it takes the fidelity approach of a diorama (eg neatness!), but makes it fun and more engaging long term. I think this video also raises a number of points that people perhaps don't seem to consider, one of those being the point that something like this doesn't have to be one's only or even primary layout, just something to relieve a little stress of the day. Lovely work, James.
Thank you James - yes, I hope that comes across - and I'm pleased you can see the value in the concept too! Just as well as I know you're considering a single line terminus project too at the moment ;)
Thanks for sharing your philosophy James. There has always been a focus on the 'how' of model railways and precious little about the 'why'. There is real wonder and joy in these designs.
Thank you, I am glad that you enjoy my philosophy and I hope it’s approachable in the sense that others on the fringes may be tempted to explore if for themselves.
I’m convinced there’s opportunities for ‘simple’ layouts like these. They are almost an operational diorama, but definitely a layout rather than diorama. And scaleable too.
Thanks Paul, yes I’m pondering how to write an article for one of the mags on this idea. A manifesto perhaps?
Brilliant concept. I treat modelling railways as an art form, its three dimensional painting. Your micro presentation with all its detail in such a confined space is proof of that concept. Well done you.
Thanks Chris, I’m glad to hear you have a similar approach and enjoyed the video.
I've got a couple of those Mosslanda lying around spare myself and have been thinking of something like this for a while, nice to see someone else tackling it.
Thanks! I’ve got a few more ideas too!
Super. I enjoyed following the build on your blog. The finished item is a thing of beauty
Thank you Ian, that’s very kind. It’s been a great project - and now, I think I know where I’m going next. We’ll see!
Hi James, this has inspired me to have a go using heysham harbour/Stranraer as a basis.
Can I ask how you fitted the mosslanda to the wall while allowing it to be removed? Looking at the shelf, you can't do it using the supplied screw holes.
The Mosslanda is fixed to the wall, the layout sits inside the lip, so is a self contained box.
Nice job. Captures the essence of the place. Fancy stratch building a 230? Maybe make it battery powered RC as a homage to the new units?
That would be neat wouldn't it!
What superb detail I thought it was oo gauge at first
Thank you, that’s very kind - and definitely sums up one element of a HiFi Micro when done in N!
Oi Mate 😊 It would be so awsome to get a nice shunting Session Video from you 😂 Like a "no Comment - real Time - one Angle - with maybe some Music ❤
Take a gander through the back catalog, it’s been done!
Thanks :-) And hey... what programm do you use for your sketching? could not comment on your blog causing google error@@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways
Great idea, colouring all important to capture the place...take a photo at the same angle?
It’s difficult because as I say in the video, the prototype has another shop in the foreground that would cut off half the view we have of the cameo. That said, if you search for Wrexham Central station on Flickr you’ll find similar angles to some of the photos I’ve taken. Thanks for the comments about colouring, I hope I’ve told the story.
Hi James. The micro layout is beautifully crafted, so please note that this comment is *not* intended to offend. Operationally, can you help me understand the interest derived from such a simple track plan?
I enjoy the act of driving the train and watching it along its path as much as shunting. So for me, I get lost in the motion of the train along the track. It’s soothing, calming. Sometimes I don’t have the mental energy to turn on Beaverbrook and shunt, sometimes I just need a few moments of running something, to get lost away from my work or a life problem. Wrecsam is perfect in those instances.
@@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways 🚆😃
Do you find any issues with the layout sitting above a radiator? Lovely modelling though; simple but effective.
Hi Gregory - that's a good question. No, I haven't found any issues with that as yet - but it was originally something I was worried about. I guess the thickness of the IKEA shelf helps matters a touch - but gut would say long term I'd not leave a loco on display without operating it regularly as perhaps grease and oil could dry out.
neat
Thank you
Very nice indeed. Where did you acquire the wooden fencing along the final length of the platform? It is just what I've been looking for for an upcoming layout project.
It is Slaters, from a box of old bits I inherited from my late Grandpa. I think they still make it, it’s the LMS fencing.
@@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways thanks, I have ordered some!
What is a hi fi layout? I'm not sure what that means. Great layout though!
High fidelity, thanks for the comment!
Wouldn't a starter signal be appropriate?
There isn’t one in reality, I presume it’s considered a king siding from Wrexham General.
Morning James, I tried to send you a message via your website but once I’d hit send it said sending for about a minute then returned to the main menu. Let me know if you’ve received it 👍 Cheers, Rob
Nothing my end. Go to the commission page, and click on the email through Facebook link, you don’t need a FB account. That should then allow you to contact me directly. Sorry you struggled on the form.
The volume on this video is unfortunately very low😢
That's interesting, because it's actually the same as the others on my laptop - let me look into it.
Fine for me!
Very good!
Seems ok on my phone
Very low for - we discussed last year