From the moment James Hilton announced his latest book, “The Art of Railway Modelling,” I knew a copy would take up residence on my bookshelf. In the buying frenzy of Black Friday, my mouse blundered onto the Titfield Thunderbolt page, and before I knew what was happening, it had completed checkout without any input from me. I thought the package would be here just in time for Jolabokaflod, but in fact it was on my doorstep within the week, and within days, I needed to look for another title to enjoy with my wine and chocolates on Christmas Eve.
In many ways James Hilton has written the book I’d hoped Lance Mindheim would have written when he wrote his book, “Model Railroading as Art.” Where Mindheim offers a collection of practical suggestions for improving scene composition, Hilton has penned a work that is achingly personal. Here are many short essays that describe in one way or another the author’s relationship with railways, which matches perfectly with his medium – the cameo layout.
Who has not burned into their memories snatched images of an overgrown siding, of a switcher brooding until called, or of a local setting out a covered hopper? It is a scene that whisked by our window, or that we glimpsed through the fence as we were dragged to the bus. We yearn to linger in that moment and explore all the hidden corners, to finally see that great quiet beast spew its cloud of soot and prowl out for business, to resolve the reassembled train continuing to its next stop. If I could return to the sun-splashed earthworks of Fort Beausejour and sit with my dad among the Black-Eyed Susans and the bees long enough to watch that MLW finish its work this time, in a heartbeat, I would.
James Hilton explores these moments in his lavishly illustrated book. Through this exploration, he emphatically and positively answers the question of whether railway modelling can be art, and points to a way to infuse a small layout with emotion so that it will be art. It is a beautiful book, and I’m delighted to give it space on my shelf.
Pembroke:87 
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