As a Canadian, as a new modeller, as someone who is building their own switching layout, as someone who doesn’t understand how railways work-nor care all that much-I greatly appreciate this laissez-faire attitude of slowing things down and enjoying the moment, less about protorealistic paperwork and more about being drawn in by a setting, an atmosphere, memories of a beloved father. Thank you for speaking my language.

Very nice work, thanks for sharing your layout and operations in detail.

Really relate to your meditative sensibility, and your focus on the art of creating interactive 3D spaces as aids to allow one's soul to be temporarily transported through space and time to a place or a feeling you want to visit.

Fantastic! I model Terra Transport Newfoundland in Sn42. I just moved from a large home to a Condo and struggling what to do now as I kept all my Newfoundland equipment. I do have use of a spare bedroom so this type of operation and storage idea just may be the ticket! Happy Holidays! Andrew

This is a clean and simple approach that works well. The world has plenty of massive layouts and they are not for everyone. They can take forever to build , include massive funds and most need the help of others. Also not to mention taking away for real world stuff and family. I choose small with availability of extensions later as i am going for high detail. Only thing i see on your shelf is that the wall, buildings and track are parallel. If one plane was changed it would give more dimension. Anyway nice video to watch.

Love the simplicity of the design and layout, nothing pretentious here, no towering skyscrapers, 5ft high mountains, large obnoxious canyon scenery or trains operating at out of scale speeds. There's just enough on the layout to be interesting without overcrowding much like any side street area you might happen to walk past. The lighting is beautiful inside the shelf, adds to the realism of the overall scene, warm and inviting. The eye level placement adds to the realistic environment, you're looking directly at the trains not from above like a typical layout. Wonderfully intimate, I'd railfan here than any other layout I've seen, good job!

The ability of a layout to transport you to another place and/or time is part of the magic of model railroading. Thanks for all the great videos throughout the year. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Cheers!

I like your philosophical discussions and yes, anyone can create a layout and there is always space. My current HOn30 layout is 60cm x 30cm made of foam board and foamcore, so really light with a 40cm x 10cm fiddle yard.

Thank you for sharing this with us. I've a similar 2-switch layout that's six feet long, which I built in what was then my parents guest room. It's since become my refuge following my dad's death and the need for me to live with my elderly mother.

Very inspiring! I still haven't worked out how or why I'm drawn to the North American prototype yet! I'm just planning my next shelf layout and this is a handy reminder to keep it clean and simple, thanks! I came into model railways via Carl and micros.. (Please take a look at Greenville, my last HO shelf layout, over on my channel, NOT a micro;-) )

That's a brilliant explanation and story, James. More than a model railway - part of you and your life. Merry Christmas 🎄🎄🎄

Have really enjoyed this video and the ‘Mindful operational principles’ in one of your recent blogs (which I can’t quite work out how to reply to!). Huge inspiration for a future project, and also focusses the mind on what one might actually like to get out of the project. It’s all too easy to get mission creep and build something too big, expensive and complicated that you can only operate once in a high day. I’ll definitely be looking to make something ‘mindful’ in the next few weeks!

Less is more, wonderful I got a lot of ideas.

Beautiful layout and an innovative use of space with the storage. I'm debating if I do my first layout as something like this myself. Only drawback is I sometimes like a hands off approach and just enjoy watching trains run. I'm not entirely sure if I can give up on a loop of some kind. All and all nicely done.

Thanks for that, James! I am constantly that guy that says, "But does it feel right?" To me, the "feel" is sometimes better than going for a super accurate representation of the real thing. Beaverbrook looks fantastic, and I'm happy to see the green TT engines moving around!

Wonderful video James. I appreciate you sharing your personal thoughts; they make me reflect on what I am trying to accomplish. Best holiday wishes to you and your family..

Beautiful layout, fantastic work!

❤from nz

Great stuff, James. Very enjoyable video.

Always love videos of this layout and your accompanying commentary. I know the prototype spur quite well, and the TT-HSW or TT-DT locos are brilliant as ever. Gifted myself your books for Christmas, plus the RMC weathering book in which you are featured. Very enjoyable and very inspiring. Happy New Year to you, Jame!

I’ve really enjoyed your videos this year, and have to wait until til Christmas to read your book as the wife has wrapped it and is under the tree. I think this is either my favorite, or is in the top three videos that you have done. Looking forward to your efforts in the future. Dave in America

very nicely done. just goes to show how simple you can make this hobby.

I just subbed. I photographed some of the last Terra Transport 3’6” gauge locos on the island province of Newfoundland in august 1990. These were involved in rail removal after CN shut down the line in late 1988. Many were sold to South America and some to Africa. Like others I like your philosophy on the hobby. Jon Archibald in Canada

This is a nice layout to work on Great job keep doing it

I really enjoyed this one, I have a similar affinity for US models, despite the fact I've never been Stateside. My particular passion is for the Alexander Railroad in NC, originally part of the Southern, but taken on as a shortline in the transition era, indeed the borrowed a Southern steam loco for 2 weeks before purchasing their own diesel switcher to run the line and it's still in active use today with Sw1500s and a 44tonner operating the line.

Hi James just came across your video thank you for sharing your amazing work. I left the hobby 9 years ago due to downsizing and sold all my equipment etc. Now having seen most of your videos you have me inspired and I'm currently doing a shelf layout. Have a great Christmas and all the best.

Love the minimalist design, often when looking back at my layouts I feel that I over designed my track plan, as I plan my new layout I will be trying to implement some of your design cues.

You’re videos are extremely helpful. I’m wondering where you get your figurines/scale people. They are very realistic!

Hello James, can you tell me what is the length and width of this module. And how many sidings? Thank you for making us dream and good luck for you and your family. Jean-Marc from Switzerland👋

First class layout what code rail have you used also were do you buy from in the uk ?

It just goes to show that to model a true to life CanAm prototype that both looks good and has plenty of "play" value one doesn't need a basement empire. Thanks for sharing this personal project and story with us. I picked up your Small Model Railway Handbook and so far it has been a great read. Will be able to use it to rekindle interest for my own small layout that has sat idle for most of the year! Seasons greetings and I look forward to seeing you in the new year. PS: do my eyes deceive me, or is that a Beep on the workbench?

That is a great sounding locomotive. What brand is the locomotive and what sound decoder are you using? I also think your shelf layout is great. Im thinking of building a shelf layout as well

Hi James. what is the height to the letter box viewing area? Do you have a recommendation? I've used 15cm and I'm not sure it's really enough.