CHRIS MARCHANT – 'CJM' – 1953-2021

As some on this forum will probably already know, Chris Marchant, the hugely influential creator of CJM Models who redefined expectations of the quality of British outline N gauge modelling, has died at the age of 68.

I have prepared this obituary with the assistance of his family, who have also supplied the accompanying images including this one of Chris in his workshop.



Chris founded CJM in 1987 from his own love of N gauge and difficulty finding models to reach his exacting standards.  His exquisite hand-painted and assembled models with heavy, flywheel-drive chassis set the benchmark for what was possible in modern image N gauge, at a time when rivals were still dated drive systems and unrealistic, shiny wheels.

As befits handmade models they came with a price to match, but Chris's loyal customers often said the quality and haulage power of their bespoke Class 50s, 56s, 59s, 60s, 66s, 67s and 92s were enjoyed long after the cost was forgotten.

Chris was born in Shropshire in 1953.  As a child his family moved several times due to his father's job with NatWest bank before settling in Kent, where Chris attended Gravesend Grammar School.  After leaving school, he began working in motor sales before moving into financial services and joining Mercantile Credit.

After setting up CJM, initially offering repaints of standard Graham Farish models carried out in the back of his garage, he moved to the Newington Enterprise Centre in the early 1990s.

There, with his long-time collaborator Bernard Taylor of TPM, he began developing his own range of models using resin and photoetched brass to create levels of detail previously unheard of in British N gauge.  This started with the Class 73, which was based around an American chassis.

In the early days Chris valued the support and assistance of Graham Shaw (of Shawplan) and of Mike and Jenni Watts (Fox Transfers) who provided etchings and transfers, while his son Gareth used his design experience to create the artwork.

At this time the Channel Tunnel was in full construction, and Eurotunnel were looking for locomotives and rolling stock for the huge layout they had planned for the Folkestone visitor centre.  Realising no mass market products would perform as required, Eurotunnel approached CJM to produce Class 92 locomotives that would be able to run for 22 actual miles each week without requiring complete rebuilds.

CJM Class 92 and Le Shuttle stock on the Eurotunnel display layout.



This led to the development of the CJM 'Saturn' chassis which fulfilled all requirements - including the ability, under test, to pull a train weighing 2kg up scale gradients – that's roughly the same as two full bags of sugar!

As well as motive power, Chris developed models of the various Eurotunnel car and lorry transporter wagons; these were put on sale as kits that were often packed by family members including Gareth, who remembers it as 'a great education in the value of work and earning money.'

Now Chris had developed his own 'Saturn' chassis (so named because it 'ran rings around everything else') CJM grew rapidly.  Supported by a growing, and loyal, customer base the Class 92 was followed by the Class 59, Class 66, Class 56, Class 67 and Class 50.

In 1989 Chris met the Princess of Wales, and Princes William and Harry, when they were presented with a commemorative N-gauge model of The Travelling College that he had been commissioned to make.

He was also a familiar face on the exhibition circuit – attending the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition and The International N Gauge Show most years until recently – and loved meeting existing customers and finding new ones.

CJM Class 92 on 'Law Junction' by East Neuk MRC.



As well as producing CJM models, Chris was well known for his airbrush tutorials which he hugely enjoyed and offered his students the opportunity to at least aspire to the levels of painting finish and detail he could achieve.

He was also very generous with his advice and time; when Mike Hale and I were starting Revolution Trains he freely offered us invaluable suggestions and feedback around chassis design and customer engagement.

Away from model railways Chris retained his interest in cars.  He was a keen follower of Formula 1, with a passion for Ferrari, and loved driving his sporty Alfa Romeo roadster.

He also enjoyed modelling; away from N gauge trains his preference was for large scale cars and military vehicles including tanks and aircraft.  Learning I lived opposite an RAF base in Cambridgeshire in the early 2000s he asked me to send photos of the Phantom F-4 that served as gate-guardian.

In recent years Chris's health had declined and he suffered a stroke which affected his eyesight.  He died peacefully in hospital with his family at his side.

Chris is survived by his two children, Matthew and Gareth, his partner Marian and his three beloved grandchildren Thomas, Joshua and Lucas.

Chris had a long-standing love of the sea and the sea front. During summer months he loved to take a daily dip and spent happy hours walking his dog or playing with his grandchildren at the water's edge.  His family requests that any donations in his memory be made to the Thanet Coast Project - http://www.thanetcoast.org.uk/how-to-help/make-a-donation/

Matthew and Gareth would like to thank all Chris's friends/customers for their support over the years, and hope they continue to find enjoyment in the models that their father loved to create for many years to come.  Knowing there is a part of him out there, as a lasting memory, is a great comfort; to Chris Marchant his creations were not just products but lovingly crafted pieces of art.

A wonderfully written piece, Ben, and a fitting tribute. Have you considered a career in journalism?

RIP Chris.

Chris and CJM were real inspirations to so many of us. My condolences to Chris's family and friends.

Very sad news to read.  He certainly made many of us dream of being able to own his fantastically detailed models!  The detail for the time was incredible, and even now the models are very good.

All the best to his friends and family.

  Ben for a wonderful tribute to Chris though I could never afford to buy one of his locos I often used to chat with him at T I N G S he knew I would never buy anything but was still happy to chat about locos .
May he  RIP
Bob Tidbury

I could never justify the cost of one of CJM's BR locos but he was always willing to offer advice to anyone who stopped by his stand at TINGS just for a chat.

A true gentleman of the hobby who will be much missed.

7-5-5

Steven B.

Really sad news 

Chris in his day was at the top of his game when it came down to producing quality models with excellent detail, it could be said that along with a few others raised the standards in N gauge what we take for granted today!

RIP Chris Marchant

Thanks, Ben, for that glowing tribute. I never bought one of his products (out of my era, and price range) but we all knew of CJM and the esteem in which it was held. If nothing else, by showing what was possible, he arguably forced the bigger manufacturers to up their game.

Definitely another one who was done too soon - dammit, he was younger than me. RIP.

Cheers,

Chris

I didn't know him well but I remember him as a really nice guy. I still remember an occasion he brought some saturn chassis round to try on Folkestone club's N gauge layout we were working on, and somehow we managed to fly one right off the end of a board due wrongly set points and the very effective flywheel!

He's also indirectly responsible for getting me into G scale back in the 90s, when for a "fun" present SWMBO bought an LGB "Fantasy" set Chris had lurking on the end of his stand one year at Folkestone show

I have three CJM locos, two of those bought direct from Chris. Pride of the fleet has to be the Yeoman/DB 59003 of which I was told he only made 3 or 4 examples.

The hobby has lost one of it's gamechanging pioneers, a huge loss.     RIP Chris.

I can only echo everyone else's comments. He personally raised the N gauge bar. Condolences to his family. RIP

Sad news, but nice to think that something of the man lives on in his work. Nice too that the forum can call upon a wordsmith like Ben to post such a fitting tribute. Well written, Mr Ando.
PW

I always wanted an 89 since I first so a CJM one in a magazine way back when. Eventually the oppertunity presented itself and there was one on the website ready to go. I believe it was the last one he has in InterCity Swallow livery. Chris serviced and installed DCC just this time last year. A sad loss.

I believe part of the Eurotunnel layout Ben mentioned still exists and is on public display here:
http://www.elhamvalleylinetrust.org/index.html
Can anyone confirm this is the same layout Mr Marchant was involved in producing the rolling stock for?

@Flange Squeal   Yes that's right.  As I recall it's just one half of the original display.