Cameo layout tour: Leatown 1970s docklands OO gauge

[@michaelricks1618]

A great little layout with big ideas that make aa lot of sense. Really well executed. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thank you Michael, very kind.

[@IronHorseRailways]

I do enjoy these, James! more People should build a smaller layout - far more focused and meaningful, often less really is more. Cheers!

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thank you - I don't think there needs to be a 'big vs small' debate as such, but plenty of us who yearn for a large layout and put it off 'until we have space' are definitely missing out on the pleasure of smaller 'for now' project. Equally, those with a large layout might find that smaller one allows them to practice a skill, or scratch that itch. I don't think of it as a distraction 'from the one true passion' - rather a way to enrich the whole experience.

[@IronHorseRailways]

@@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways agreed, and well put, Jim! Looking forward to the next update and "mindful" session ☺️

[@ewoodrailway]

Very nice, the detailing is excellent

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thank you, I was really pleased with how this one turned out! Loads more on the channel, take a look - and it’s also detailed on my blog, search for Leatown.

[@andyknott8148]

Your right, the backscene of almost "fogged out" buildings sets the scene perfectly.

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Andy - that's it isn't it, how many back scenes do we see where they're crystal clear - we loose something of depth in such examples. This works really well especially with the lighting temperature.

[@MultiEinsteinium]

Absolutely adore the look of this layout. Exactly the kind of run down feel I love from a railway.

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thank you

[@albulastrasse3118]

What really makes it is the background. The tone resecion is wonderful.

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thank you, it’s definitely something I always consider with back grounds.

[@davephyllosc625]

I do love a bit of 70's decline! Nicely done, James

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thanks Dave, very kind

[@rich_rich90]

Also getting Waddon Marsh/Croydon power station vibes with this one!

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thanks Rich, isn't this such a wonderful hobby. How a relatively blank canvas can tell such different stories for us all.

[@musoseven8218]

Really well considered and executed layout👍✌️😊 You raise good points about the "warning" colours, the human, the mammalian, eye is drawn to them (Eg reds, yellows, oranges etc). Unless of course one wants the observers' eye to be drawn into, and through, the 3D picture that is the layout, with ie a weathered red telephone box or a Bedford HA BT/GPO type vehicle. I'm repairing, detailing and weathering two Iron Minks in 7mm. The issue being? One is Ferrocrete branding and the other is Blue Circle branding, fantastic liveries (a little out of era for the layout), however they stick out like a sore thumb when new SFTB. So I've aged the branding, let down the yellow and then weathered with rusts, track dirt, general detritus, then "cement dust" atop of it all. It gives the models more weight and mass too, seats them in reality. I've subscribed 👍😊

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thankyou, personally I’ve struggled with bright rolling stock too, more of a problem with yellow too as it’s a tricky one to weather realistically. Best of luck with your 7mm project!

[@jhocktro]

Great atmosphere! I have really enjoyed working with you on my own project.

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thank you!

[@stevebrown6665]

I have always been drawn to small layouts but your’s are so atmospheric 😊

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thank you Steve, I’m glad you enjoy them.

[@stevebrown6665]

@@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways I certainly do

[@chrisclegg7156]

Great video, very inspirational, looking forward to the next video.👍

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thanks Chris!

[@scalerailmodelling2846]

Very good as usual, and brilliant showing of what is achievable in 00 in a cameo setting I like the lack of figures too, in scenes like this it helps to bring about memories of viewing railways in your own way and often on your own. Unless you are taking photos then your view is just yours for a split second and then its a memory, and your memories focus on the scene and the locos and stock not random other people who happen to be there. Excellent stuff as always 👍

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thank you, I think occasionally a solitary quality 3D scanned figure in a neutral pose can work well, to tell a story. Otherwise, as you say, too many is distracting.

[@raymondmarkesteijn3198]

Again amazed how much can be created in a small layout and how less is more,Very inspiring 🙂

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thank you, I hope it fuels you’re own creativity!

[@paul-slyfield]

Looks fantastic. Really inspiring

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

thanks Paul!

[@LyntreeTown20132]

Love your small layouts very detailed and inspirational - the two traversers on the fiddle stick is also good for operational variety

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thank you, I’m glad it’s given you some ideas.

[@davebarnett4262]

Thats superb James. Inspiration for my new project in planning.

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thanks Dave - glad to have provided some inspiration. Sorry we couldn't get any trains running - I don't have any BR blue with DCC fitted.

[@Tramfabriek]

Marvellous job, Mr Hilton.

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thank you Sven!

[@bernicemeade3232]

Good job

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thank you

[@justn2trains]

Great layout, thanks for sharing 👍

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thank you

[@SB-hg5sq]

Love this! I've built a layout very similar inspired by the silvertown tramway, I couldn't come up with an appropriate backscene though.

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

thank you, this one is just a dull overcast sky with some structures cut out and stuck on. I couldn’t find anything that felt right for the real Silvertown as the road was quite close behind the station so the buildings were very close, this felt the right atmosphere though.

[@SB-hg5sq]

@@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways James, how do you construct your baseboards? They don't seem to be traditional 2" x 1" framing, do you ever have any problems with warping? The one thing I struggle with is baseboard construction. My layout is built using an IKEA shelf!

[@gregorymarch4725]

As the range expands would you be tempted to dabble in TT:120 for a custom project? The 08’s show promise as does the future promised stock too. It seems a nice scale to model in given its size advantages over ‘N’.

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

I create commission in whatever scale my customer requests - although I'd argue TT offers very little advantage over British N really - certainly not enough for me to be tempted away from the wonderfully finished Farish range.

[@melangoose2551]

Love this video and layout. Spot on feel for a docks area layout. Your brambles look so real you mentioned you got the idea from a book, can I ask which one as I would love to make some for my layout. Well done.

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thank you. Book? Gordon Gravett’s series on trees and grassland, I suspect the latter edition, all published by Wild Swan.

[@melangoose2551]

Thank you

[@timstrainvideos142]

wrong era, but a nse class 313 on the north london line would be nice to run into that platform. great work!

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

I love Network SouthEast livery Tim, so if it was my layout I’d be tempted!

[@timstrainvideos142]

@@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways your layout build made me remember going on the north london line when it was nse (and silverlink) running into north woolwich. i should imagine the area is very different today!

[@paulgodwin604]

Nice one James. I remember the area from the ‘80’s when I used to go there for Flood Protection practice on the Lea Tidal Barrier made redundant by the Thames Barrier. Could you post the website from where you got the photos for your backscene please? I need to upgrade mine on my “Bow Locks” layout.

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Paul, thank you! Link for the backscene images ( I did crop and edit them to suit, knocking back the saturation and tweaking contrast) www.filmhub.co.uk/locations/23844/silvertown-square

[@daletully7104]

Another great layout and plenty of operational potential.. any O Gauge layouts in the pipeline?

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

No, but I’m always open to new commissions! Would love to try an O gauge project, I’ve done weathering in O before but nothing more.

[@murrayangus]

I really like the design of this layout. It has a very low profile - what is the base board made from?

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

The baseboard is my own design, various sections of 6mm MDF with hardboard for the backscene and main part of the lid as it’s lighter. As these layouts sit on a shelf, they don’t need to same level of structural support as a traditional framework.

[@Tractor3Thrasher]

Excellent video thanks for sharing, this is the kinda of look I'm after in my layout. Can I ask how you done the grass? Did you lay the ballest first then grass on top or did you work around the grass?

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thank you. I always build up in layers from the ballast up - so that went down first, and then the grass is added afterwards.

[@thepacerman]

you may have said it in the video, i apologise if you did, but what are the dimensions of the layout?

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

circa 1.2 x 0.3m

[@thepacerman]

@@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways ok thanks

[@larsheydecke887]

Im stil interested doing a small n scale projekt with you Wil Mail you shoryly 👍😊

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

No problem