HO scale shelf layout tour - Kohlenbachbrücke Werks

Join me for a tour of my latest layout project - this is Kohlenbachbrücke Werks, a HO scale cameo layout that lives on an IKEA Lack shelf in my workshop. This project has been great fun, and in the video I share some of the scenic techniques as well as decisions around composition. You will also see the two 'Operations' - switching tank wagons and switching vans.
The layout is self contained. There are no add on bits - it is just 110cm x 25cm and about 18cm tall. Lighting is built in, and all the stock lives on the layout all the time - ready for operation.
If you want to read more about some of its development take a look on my blog - and there are a few other shorts and videos about the layout on my channel.
paxton-road.blogspot.com/sear...

[@AemJaY]

its always great to see small layouts like this. great work! 👌

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it

[@rafaelvoncina6036]

Thank you, James, for sharing this immersive layout. It's good to see someone enjoy the process of creating a figment of imagination that is believable, a well observed bit of reality. And this format lends itself well to further development. Of skill, observation, of storytelling and… inner peace or ballance or, yes, mindfulness. I think of all sorts of layers once a sound base is built: colour, texture etc. One thing with these is they are added, sure. But I also take them partially off. All very thin, all desaturated (understated). On and off they go. Until one day, I just know: That's it. I truly enjoy your peaceful approach. No greed. Just a little everyday story. And under this same breath I think it's time to explore the dimension of sound. Thanks again for sharing your wonderful work and -quite important this- your train of thought. Rafael P.S. Thanks also for the foam trick!

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Rafael, thank you for the comment, it’s great to hear your reflections… I appreciate all your thoughts. Indeed, sound is a good play thing on Beaverbrook but keeping this DC keeps it very very very simple.

[@woodysmodellingdiary]

One word - superb!

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

wow, thank you!

[@CNR5154]

Brilliant, James! Among many other features, the warehouse hides the portal to the fiddle yard perfectly and the sunken yard office is spot on. I also love the shadows from the overhead gantry. I'll be taking a different view on small industrial operations now. Very inspiring. Thank you very much for the tout and thoughtful commentary. Cheers!

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the video and were able to also take inspiration and ideas from some of my work.

[@dh9033]

Very nicely modelled. I always feel that it's a pity we can't easily add drivers to our diesel locos; for me it's the human element that really focusses and brings a railway scene to life. Kind regards to you 😊

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

it’s fairly easy to add a driver, but then harder to pose those shots where the locomotive is obviously static… I must get some more Modelu figures for the layout though to allow different scenes to be posed, not glued down, but able to be set up for photos.

[@davebarnett4262]

Abother superb layout James

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thank you Dave, that’s very kind!

[@toddarmstrong.trackside.action]

Excellent concept and execution James. I love your work and find it refreshing. Well done and thank you for sharing.

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Todd - that's very kind, thank you for the comment and I'm glad you enjoy the content. I love this hobby, and I hope sharing that enthusiasm encourages others!

[@vikingofengland]

Really enjoyed the video thank you. I personally do love a old beaten up looking shunter / switcher in a private industry 😊

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thank you Justin, that is very kind. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SteveHarrison-cv8dg]

I absolutely love small cameo layouts. Thank you so so much for sharing and giving me more ideas to think about. 😊

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thank you Steve, and I'm glad to have helped - ideas in here that cross prototype boundaries, I'm sure!

[@jamfjord]

You are already fully aware that I'm very fond of this layout, but I have to say even more so since seeing it through a macro lens. Lovely to see the Trabant in situ as well, and thanks for your kind words! Very intriguing and mysterious place, what on earth are they making there? 🤔

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Your friendship and support James is always valued - and the day the Trabant arrived in the mail was a lovely surprise! Thank you!

[@moghobbystuff]

Inspiring as ever .. I built a little German HO layout (Klein & Günstig video) as a ‘taster’ too and been thinking to revisit the hastily put together scenics for a while , this definitely pushed it up the queue :-)

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

I’m glad you enjoyed the video and hope it does encourage you to revisit. I think these distractions can be good fuel for the creative mojo in our usual modelling pursuits.

[@thomaswilt4194]

Once again a wonderful video James. Your small layouts provide me much inspiration to "go small." By the way, speaking as a civil engineer, the girders on the pipe support would be called "castellated beams." The hexagonal cutouts reduce the weight of the beam.

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thanks Thomas - that is very kind and I'm glad they provide inspiration. Castellated beams hey, always thought they were cool - of course I know they should have an I cross section, but that was more trouble than it was worth in this instance.

[@ViewFromAfar]

I'm loving this layout ❤

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thank you - it started out as an experiment but I'm deeply in love with it too at the moment. Hope it energises whatever modelling or creative work you do!

[@ViewFromAfar]

​@@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailwaysthe big takeaway for me is the foam against the axles. So simple but seems so effective. I'm stealing it 😁

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Vary the thickness (i.e. how much it is compressed) and width to vary the braking effect. I don't find it needs gluing in.

[@macnavi]

Maybe you can use smaller magnets that are strong enough for the couplings, but do not affect the steel axles.

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

That it a s good question and I've tried this before - unfortunately I find Kadee require quite a strong magnet. Foam is cheaper than replacing wheel sets!

[@macnavi]

@@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways Ah, OK. It would also be a fight you can't really win, because most axles you buy will be steel.

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

@@macnavi you're probably right. When I looked at the Kadee wheel options (which are suitable) the axle lengths are different.

[@What_If_We_Tried]

You are a fantastic modeler, and I love what you've done with this little cameo layout. Question: Is the track that passes nearest the office at a lower level than the track that has the chemical dump grates, and pipes?

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Thank you! The track is level across the whole board.

[@What_If_We_Tried]

@@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways Thanks for the clarification.

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

No problem. I guess it shows how effective the subtle changes in level and the variety of textures can be in suggesting something in this manner.

[@What_If_We_Tried]

@@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways Absolutely...