Heaton Lodge Junction - Record Week Track Laying! Plus Behind The Scenes & Down By The River

This week we go and look at the river I constructed from 3 litres of Casting Resin some time ago. Once again the devil is in the detail and hopefully some of it will inspire you to include features in your own layouts.
Also it's been an exhausting week laying around 50 metres of track and pointwork to keep on schedule. I'll show you what I've accomplished here since last time. Finally we go behind the scenes and look at the workshop and living room I constructed, as well as a better look at the basement itself.
Thanks for the umpteenth time to those who have donated to my crowdfunding campaign. The link is here as ever. £25 gets you two tickets to visit the layout once it embarks on its tour of the UK in 2026. £100 gets two tickets for life.
justgiving.com/crowdfunding/simon-george-3

[@mickeybarrass3625]

It's absolutely monumental that layout. I'm not a modeller just a rail enthusiast. I wouldn't have a scooby where to start or have your patience. The work on it must've been astronomical. 5000 litres of paint, 3kg of resin, 80ft of track to do, on top of what's already been done, at such an epic standard, its as staggering, as it is to see. On a positive note, Your swear jar probably contributed to the cost all that paint I bet, if it was me, it would have 😂. Thank you for the updates, it's a real pleasure to see how it's coming on from what was already a bloody outstanding layout. Many thanks for sharing.

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

It’s comments like yours that keep my enthusiasm! Thanks Best regards

[@stuartallen8684]

Gobsmacked every time I see a video of this layout. To say it’s a masterpiece is an understatement.

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Thanks Stuart really appreciated 👍

[@johnpalmer5873]

I look forward to these videos, admiring your skill and determination. I'm sure your venture is not without financial risk, the numbers and sizes for your model are huge for most modellers! I do hope you get further backing as at the heart of what you do is encouraging younger people and their families to see what can be done and even become potential modellers. Thank you.

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Hi John, thanks for your words of support it’s really appreciated. I’m sure I can finish this and somehow get a return from it! Thanks again and best regards. Simon

[@antonyjerome7478]

When exhibiting my layouts at shows, people get talking and the old, "how much perspiration / how much inspiration..." frequently crops up. I always say it's 100% observation. I think the observation of the prototype is why this layout is outstanding.

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Thanks it definitely makes building a layout easier if you base it on a real location. All the best Simon

[@MrAsBBB]

I bet you are proud of what you have achieved with this stunning masterpiece. In my opinion this as good as any work of art just a different media. Until I move to the country I live vicariously through these videos until I can build my own. One of the requirements of my new house will be a big room for a big layout . Thanks for posting

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Thanks I do treat scenic work especially like art. Hopefully my videos will give you some ideas! Thanks again. Simon

[@tbschenker]

Hi Simon. I found your channel a few months ago, and its automatically my favourite now! I drive trains daily over Heaton Lodge Jn, and i have to say the detail is amazing, even thoigh the current layout today is a far cry from its heyday. Your layout really helps visualise what it once was. Thanks again for doing what you do.

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Thanks for your positive comments! What a job you have! Yes it’s definitely changed a lot over the years Thanks again! Simon

[@darrinstanaway8943]

Mate your dedication and enthusiasm for what your doing is amazing your layout is incredible in the level of detail you have accomplished,i enjoy watching your updates,the passion you must have for what you are doing is inspirational all the best and look forward to more updates

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Really appreciate that & thanks for the support. 👍

[@grenfellroad8394]

My Grandad worked at Healey Mills for years when I was a kid, I used to ride my bike down to the Calder at the bottom of Healey Road in Ossett, and with my Nan and sister used to skim stones across the river down there. So many wonderful memories from my childhood watching you build this.

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

I know exactly the places you mention. I’m glad you enjoy the videos 👍 thanks

[@lynnmorton7544]

Marvellous. I particularly like those points. One can get lost and believe your looking at the real thing

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Thanks yes the points (which I sadly confess to not constructing) are really a work of art. They can be a little unreliable in practise as the very long switch blades take a lot from the motor underneath to operate. Cheers Simon

[@stephenfoster225]

Totally agree, I still have to remind myself that I am looking at a scale model ❤️

[@lottaaction8072]

This is the best on KZbin I have ever seen. Wow, the attention to detail is phenomenal.

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Thanks for that glad you enjoyed the video. Simon

[@graham33freeland59]

Heaton Lodge is truly spectacular.and best video to date great to see behind the scenes also.

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Thanks Graham and thanks for your support. Simon

[@tonysimons2860]

Thanks!

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Pleasure 👍

[@LisbonRailProductionsandF1]

Magnificent catches of the model trains coming by and pass, i like it 5 stars. Thumbs up. Keep up the perfect work, my friend, i just liked and subscribed your channel, Greetings from Portugal to the UK.

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Hello and thank you for subscribing! Greeting to you too from the U.K. 👍

[@LisbonRailProductionsandF1]

@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428 oh yeah

[@davidcook380]

Absolutely first class modelling

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Thank you 👍

[@duncanrhodes4778]

Jaw dropping. Inspirational yet also really daunting for someone at the start of the modelling journey. Just found you channel so I have a lot to go back and catch up on.

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Ah I don’t want you to feel daunted! If you can take some ideas from the videos that would be great. There’s not many nutters like me that take on such humongous projects!! Thanks for watching 👍

[@paulmarmion358]

Another really enjoyable video very interesting seeing what the building was like when you first got it you have done a tremendous amount of work on it hats off to you 👍 Love the old derelict factories such a good idea and they look very realistic I can remember factories like that when i was a child thanks again look forward to seeing the next one 👍

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Thanks Paul yes the derelict factories make a great feature. All the best 👍

[@TheDaf95xf]

Hi Simon 😊 Another great update 👍🏻 Loved how you said I slept in the office after a long day 🤣 Dedication 🤩

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Well you just don’t know whether it’s night or day down there mate! Cheers

[@musoseven8218]

Lovely stuff again Simon, your tenacity and dedication is commendable!👍😊 Just before you said it, I remembered the TV clip. At the time I thought "he's got big b@lls doing that on camera" (I hate dealing with varnish or resins, even cyano at times, stresses me out tbh - my dad was a resin and fibreglass pioneer too). Then when it went wrong, I knew what had happened, I thought "I hope his baseboards don't catch fire!", my heart went out to you. I wasn't, at that time, 2017/2018/2019, working much on my own layout but I did help my other half's young charge build a roundy, roundy layout for his Midland Compound trainset (he was finding school challenging, long hours, didn't fit in) so he could play trains for an hour after school to decompress. I hope that series of programmes inspired some youngsters into our wonderfully creative hobby. A hobby that's given so much to my father and me, seen us through some very tough times, brought us lots of friends. A hobby that is so multifaceted, so creative and therapeutic too, yet much maligned. Having said that, about therapeutic endeavours, I've spent four hours, over three days (yep that's right) detailing/putting, vacuum pipes, lantern brackets etc on one wagon! Why so long? A myriad of reasons; 1) I was coming to the end of a bottle of cyano and I think it was going off (I keep mine in the fridge so this one was still working from 2021, should have known better). 2) I knew I shouldn't try and use the white metal parts from the kit (they were well cleaned on the mating surfaces), as they're over scale and fragile. 3) swmbo broke two off by moving the model in one go. 4) I had to make good the dried cyano and all surfaces drill holes etc. 5) I then added the Slaters' equivalents (much more to scale, can be made to work and a delight in fiddliness to fit). 6) I struggle with pain and hand tremors nowadays. But the satisfaction was immense and the look of the wagon is vastly improved (should have followed my instinct and fitted Slaters' from the start, 10-20 minutes then done)👍🤔🙄🙄

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

I totally agree with your comments about getting youngsters into the hobby - if we don’t it’ll simply die over the next couple of decades. That’s the main reason and motivation I have for getting this layout finished - to get it in front of families and encourage new people into the hobby. Another reason in fact why I’m determined to put the layout where people already go ie out of town shopping centres. But your attention to detail is also commendable! We all do this for that feeling of satisfaction you get when you make a good job of something. That said I’ve taken a hammer to a couple of my models in the past too! Thanks for your ongoing support it’s really appreciated Simon

[@stephenpearce7058]

I have loved the layout for years but never had the pleasure of seeing it in the flesh. Will you when it goes out on the road give us the program of sites that we can come and see. It’s a fantastic realistic layout your dedication is inspiring. I have a loft layout but need to get my act together and get more work done to it. Although guess you never finish a layout. I’ve have plans to extend but need to do more to my layout before I extend, but I have lost my mojo need to get it back you give me some help in getting the energy back just watching your videos. Thank you. 👍👨‍✈️🚂

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Thanks for the kind comments. Yes in a year or so I’ll announce all the dates and venues of where the layout will be. It’s always hard with a loft layout as they can be cold in the winter and too hot in summer. I know, I used to have one. Thanks again Simon

[@stephenfoster225]

Simon, the amount of realism on your layout is truly amazing, especially the point motors and rods controlling the points, ❤️ Are any parts of the point motors and associated bits 3 D printed, I am in awe of your talent, Steve

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

I’ve got to be honest I didn’t build the points they were beyond me. I had a chap build them for me. I believe he scratchbuilt the dummy point motors. I added a load more detail and more rods etc. They do look good but can be temperamental in operation

[@stephenhewitt-r3o]

Magnificent effort! Do you ever get any help on the layout? I know you have help with some detailed buildings, but I have never heard you mention any help in the basement. Anyhow well done again and look forward to the next video, when under stress tea, tea cures everything I suppose it must be Yorkshire Tea but I'll give you that.

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Hi Stephen, on a day to day basis I work on my own. To be honest I find that if you do have other people helping you end up talking and only get a limited amount done! Plus you lose a bit of the consistency too. That said Tim Horn who does the laser cutting for the building is a massive help in terms of encouragement and I’ve other friends too albeit some distances away. Trouble with tea is I constantly make it then put the mug down and can’t find it again the basement is so big. I usually find it days later! All the best 👍

[@dr.deborahkatharinestevens318]

Lovin' the I.D numbering on those gorgeous hand built turnouts, Simon! 🤩

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Yes it’s a nice touch isn’t it. Thanks again 👍

[@johnreyortiz6154]

Just a dream layout

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Thanks John 👍

[@gppsoftware]

Just a tip on the double slip: I'm not sure what point motors you are using, but when using Tortoise, the springs have to be removed from the tie bar and it is at this time that all kinds of electrical problems start with these double slips! The connections between switch blades and stock rails are at best, unreliable, and the fishplates used to implement 'loose heel' switches are also not reliable. The net result is that you will end up with the switch blades being dead. Not a problem with diesels, but can be a problem with short wheel based locos like 08 shunters and steamers. My recommendation would be to made sure you attach dropper wires to the fishplate ends of the switch blades to ensure reliable electrical continuity. And you can only do this before you fix the track down. Guess who learned the hard way ?!! Good to see you remove the 'coffins' over the tie-bars like I do. With the interest in O gauge these days, I think Peco should be upgrading their O gauge turnouts (the current version dates from the 1970's and is designed for Lima O gauge of the time - they actually run really well together). In their current form, Peco O gauge turnouts are just expensive rubbish, but unfortunately, there is no RTR alternative.

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Hi yes you’re dead right - I always remove the return springs whatever motor I’m using. In this case it’s Cobalts. And I agree the Peco points really do need updating now, I guess it’s all about development costs and how many more they could sell as a result. As you say there is very little else rtr point wise in O gauge so no choice. Thanks for the tips on the double slip too. All the best Simon

[@gppsoftware]

@@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428 Thanks Simon. Do you want to start lobbying Peco and I'll back you up with the tech information ?

[@SB5SimulationsFerroviairesEEP]

Cool! Merci du partage! Stéph.

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Pleasure 👍

[@JohnRich1415]

Another excellent video and in some ways quite thought provoking, I'm thinking about the skills you mention of the Victorian builders when we seem to struggle to build anything these days, and also makes me think of the traffic now lost to our modern railways. In particular coal !!!

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Yes the Victorians certainly knew how to build! And such a foolish thing getting rid of coal so soon. I miss the coal trains Thanks for your support Simon

[@KingsviewModelRailway]

Well done! The river looks very realistic, and that's a lot of track to lay! Greetings from the @Kingsviewmodelrailway

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Thank you, best regards Simon

[@brianallison2509]

I really don’t envy you having all that ballasting to do. You may end up having to install padded walls to your lounge and office and maybe a cuddle coat by the end of it.

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

You might be right! 😀 I am going to have to devise a ‘speed ballasting’ process although I haven’t figured it out yet

[@roberthall-h7r]

Top notch as always Simon. I remember you pouring the resin to make the river on the Hornby programme….and you swearing under your breath when it went wrong, I would have done the same only much fruitier language.

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Ha I would have done if the cameras hadn’t been there!

[@richardw5507]

Hi Simon - you're living my dream 😊 Did I miss a video on 'speed track laying techniques' you said you were going to do?

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

No that’s coming up Richard! Thanks for reminding me 👍 All the best

[@unreasonable4rce]

Very interesting video. Thanks.

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Thanks for watching!

[@carolinecleaveley-q1r]

Hi there. went through heaton Lodge and past healey mills last friday on intercity railtours peak perambulation. Seems to being rebuilt as per your model. Caroline

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Yes you’re right, Network Rail are doing the Trans-Pennine upgrade through Heaton Lodge at the moment. They have just removed the footbridge there which is a shame. Best regards Simon

[@carolinecleaveley-q1r]

Hi Simon. would be great to see your layout sometime when you finished it again. caroline.

[@EdVanMeyer]

Really good layout.

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Thank you! 👍

[@jbhtrams]

Simon. I think you are going to need a working ballast train??? It should be possble in O gauge; with radio controlled doors??? Your mate who does the vans & lorries might be able to help with that?

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Now that’s a good idea! I’ll give that some thought 👍

[@gazpot]

Hi Simon once again thanks can’t wait to see it again quick question where did you get those tripod LED lights you have they seem very useful

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Hi, if you mean the yellow ones on the tripod they aren’t LED they are Halogen and aren’t expensive. They get very hot though so I don’t use them much. Any tool store like Clarkes do them 👍

[@gazpot]

Hi Simon it’s the small tripods you had on the layout while you were track laying thanks

[@stretchedits]

Hi Simon, it still blows me away seeing how large the layout is. Amazing. Two questions if I may. Firstly, why do you drill such large holes in the baseboards for what I assume are the wires to pass through for the trackwork, they seem overly large but you might have a very good reason which I am not aware of. Secondly, doesn't it ever concern you that the factory building above you might be demolished or renovated and you become homeless, well the layout becomes homeless. Actually seeing your lounge today, very nice hideaway that, that you become homeless! 5000 Litres of white paint...............Did you ever see Mr Bean where he paints his flat by sticking a Firework or something into a tin of white paint, then hides and waits for the bang!! Great stuff all the very best Dave.

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Hi Dave, some great questions there! Firstly, the huge holes you mention I drilled when I built the original fiddle yard which initially I hadn’t planned to put on show to the public! So given once you lay a point then invariably move it slightly I drilled this huge holes. Of course now this is becoming the marshalling yard I will be filling them in with filler or expanding foam or similar. Re the basement yes it does worry me occasionally that the owners may want the basement back one day but that said it was empty for years so they are getting an income they hadn’t before! I try and put it out of my mind to be honest! Thanks for your support though I may move into the lounge one day! Simon

[@grahamallen1970]

27m58s layout on another level in size but ...attention to detail last shot of 56 on ballast train..vacuum braked train hauled by a air brake only loco....no brake van on rear and travelling at around 40mph...small fish on a cracking layout😊

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

You’ve got me there! I didn’t realise but that makes perfect sense. Modellers license! Best regards thanks for your support 👍

[@Billybutlin46]

Do you have open days to see it? Cheers

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Not at the moment. It will go out in 2026 to different U.K. locations. I will publish these in due course 👍

[@Billybutlin46]

@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428 can you not get a permanent place that people can visit, bring in funds that way? Sorry if this has been asked before, i know every costs...just looks amazing!

[@britainsbiggestmodelrailwa1428]

Good question & something I’m working on! Where it is now isn’t suitable for public viewing because of lack of fire exits etc