I must confess, out of the myriad model train layouts I’ve encountered throughout my far from model life, Crappstone Vale ( 1:53:11 ) resonates with me on a level so profound that I felt compelled to share my feelings. The sheer craftsmanship on display, while already impeccable, pales in comparison to the symbolic depth embedded in the decision to construct this layout in a perfect circle. The circle (so elegant, so eternal) is the geometric embodiment of harmony, continuity, and balance. In its unbroken, infinite curve, it mirrors the cyclical nature of life itself, where beginnings bleed into endings, and every conclusion is but a fresh starting point. The trains are like the very essence of time: forever moving forward, yet returning again and again to where they began,. "Progress", I say to myself, "is not linear"... "Progress, is circular." Crappstone Vale's hypnotic loop transcends mere hobbyist architecture; it’s a poetic meditation on the eternal return, a profound metaphor for life's unending journey, and a visual ode to the interconnectedness of all things. Truly, this masterpiece is not just a model train layout-it's a philosophical masterpiece. Also - The Bear: Winnie (somewhat of a Pooh himself!) echos the yearning of my soul in perpetuity with the creators own childlike and carefree spirit. What a visionary, he's the icing on the cake. Thank you. Thank you for bringing me such joy. Me and my partner are in tears...
Thank you! It’s really for people in situations like yours who couldn’t make it. I aim to capture as much as possible so no model railway enthusiasts feel left out. I really appreciate your support and for watching!
Artist’s Valley is certainly a lovely little layout. Very artistic, and with a very artistic covering of snow, although it’s probably in the form of cotton balls!!
I really enjoy watching model railways at exhibitions!! I attend three a year , including the London Festival of Railway Modelling at Alexandra Palace.
Pavilion End is one of the most attractive layouts doing the rounds!! I’m sure I saw it at Alexandra Palace last April, and that I’ll see it again next April!!
Sherton Abbas. The layout depicts a part of the West Country with which I’m intimate. I went to boarding school when I was ten and lived just outside the town of Wincanton. I used to get off the train at Sherborne on the way to school to be picked up by the school Land Rover.
Sorry to hear you missed it! Hopefully, this video helps give you a good sense of what it was like. Fingers crossed you’ll be able to attend next year!
Lanata Quay is an exceptional little layout, but I can’t quite place it. It looks a bit like somewhere in the West Midlands, near the Manchester Ship Canal. But it might not be where I think it is.
Does anyone know the diagram of the shorty Brake on Lochty 1:53:41? I have a model of one in a curious LNER bauxite livery with 'For Incline Use' legends.
Well if the Cyre Valley is a real place and the railway a prototype, where exactly is it? I know that it must be somewhere around the Snowdonia area, but would love to ride on it at some time!!
It’s lovely to see a railway that I have never visited being modelled. So is the Kyre Valley Railway a fictitious railway or is it an actual prototype?
Great video - oddly enough , with running Artists Valley throughout the weekend I didn’t really get a chance to properly see and enjoy all the other amazing layouts - Sherton Abbas probably being my favourite! If you do spot me with Artists Valley at another show, do feel free to ask me to run a selection of stock in succession - I realise the same couple of locos doing the rounds doesn’t make for the best footage. It was my 1st time exhibiting, but next time I’m keen to get some helping hands to help change the stock around at back, whilst chatting to watchers at front, to keep a ‘variety parade’ on show! Thanks for capturing the whole exhibition so well - and nice to meet you there too 😊 Craig
I must confess, out of the myriad model train layouts I’ve encountered throughout my far from model life, Crappstone Vale ( 1:53:11 ) resonates with me on a level so profound that I felt compelled to share my feelings.
The sheer craftsmanship on display, while already impeccable, pales in comparison to the symbolic depth embedded in the decision to construct this layout in a perfect circle. The circle (so elegant, so eternal) is the geometric embodiment of harmony, continuity, and balance. In its unbroken, infinite curve, it mirrors the cyclical nature of life itself, where beginnings bleed into endings, and every conclusion is but a fresh starting point. The trains are like the very essence of time: forever moving forward, yet returning again and again to where they began,.
"Progress", I say to myself, "is not linear"...
"Progress, is circular."
Crappstone Vale's hypnotic loop transcends mere hobbyist architecture; it’s a poetic meditation on the eternal return, a profound metaphor for life's unending journey, and a visual ode to the interconnectedness of all things. Truly, this masterpiece is not just a model train layout-it's a philosophical masterpiece.
Also - The Bear: Winnie (somewhat of a Pooh himself!) echos the yearning of my soul in perpetuity with the creators own childlike and carefree spirit. What a visionary, he's the icing on the cake.
Thank you. Thank you for bringing me such joy. Me and my partner are in tears...
Thankyou for making this video, it's the first show in 6 years I've missed because of work, appreciate you capturing everything in the detail you do!
Thank you! It’s really for people in situations like yours who couldn’t make it. I aim to capture as much as possible so no model railway enthusiasts feel left out. I really appreciate your support and for watching!
Artist’s Valley is certainly a lovely little layout. Very artistic, and with a very artistic covering of snow, although it’s probably in the form of cotton balls!!
Great video of super layouts. I enjoyed it very much. Thanks so much for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks very much for watching
I really enjoy watching model railways at exhibitions!! I attend three a year , including the London Festival of Railway Modelling at Alexandra Palace.
Newvaddon Dock is a very clever layout. Although I haven’t spotted the dock yet, it’s a fabulous piece of work and design. VERY SPECIAL!!!!
Pavilion End is one of the most attractive layouts doing the rounds!! I’m sure I saw it at Alexandra Palace last April, and that I’ll see it again next April!!
Sherton Abbas. The layout depicts a part of the West Country with which I’m intimate. I went to boarding school when I was ten and lived just outside the town of Wincanton. I used to get off the train at Sherborne on the way to school to be picked up by the school Land Rover.
My two big things: model trains and cricket!! It’s lovely to see both in one video!!
Missed it all! gutted.
Sorry to hear you missed it! Hopefully, this video helps give you a good sense of what it was like. Fingers crossed you’ll be able to attend next year!
And Neverddon Parkway is a good Great Western layout in the modern era image.
Lanata Quay is an exceptional little layout, but I can’t quite place it. It looks a bit like somewhere in the West Midlands, near the Manchester Ship Canal. But it might not be where I think it is.
Lots of the Locomotives are LSWR and GWR, plus a few were broad gauge so I would assume the South Western region on England :)
Does anyone know the diagram of the shorty Brake on Lochty 1:53:41? I have a model of one in a curious LNER bauxite livery with 'For Incline Use' legends.
Well if the Cyre Valley is a real place and the railway a prototype, where exactly is it? I know that it must be somewhere around the Snowdonia area, but would love to ride on it at some time!!
It’s lovely to see a railway that I have never visited being modelled. So is the Kyre Valley Railway a fictitious railway or is it an actual prototype?
Near Bodmin in Cornwall and sadly not a real line.
What is that you are using to uncouple the trucks
Sonic screwdriver, they are in Cardiff after all!
Magnetic uncouplers are in use on a few layouts, other than that I’m not sure. Thanks for watching!
Great video - oddly enough , with running Artists Valley throughout the weekend I didn’t really get a chance to properly see and enjoy all the other amazing layouts - Sherton Abbas probably being my favourite! If you do spot me with Artists Valley at another show, do feel free to ask me to run a selection of stock in succession - I realise the same couple of locos doing the rounds doesn’t make for the best footage. It was my 1st time exhibiting, but next time I’m keen to get some helping hands to help change the stock around at back, whilst chatting to watchers at front, to keep a ‘variety parade’ on show!
Thanks for capturing the whole exhibition so well - and nice to meet you there too 😊 Craig