A 'Peachy TT120' for British N gauge?

Michanglais · May 07, 2026, 07:29:48 AM

I don't know if this has been brought up before, but I was wondering whether there was anyone considered as a 'Peachy TT120' for N gauge.

I'm moving over to N gauge from TT120 for my British stuff because I've already got so much Continental and Canadian stuff in N. I've been watching lots of vids on YouTube and there are some excellent N gauge layouts out there. I was wondering whether anyone was considered to be the Peachy for N gauge? He has around 3,000 subscribers on YouTube, whereas there are some N gaugers who have more, but I don't know whether anyone has access to manufacturers, etc. like he does.

It would be great if there was someone to 'champion' N gauge like him. Is there anyone? (If not, would anyone be willing? I'd put myself forward but my modelling skills are pretty basic and I don't have a YouTube channel yet...).

Just wondering. I'm a fan of the Model Rail Replacement Podcast and there's lots of talk about TT120, but very little for N. Seems there's lots of publicity out there for TT120. Maybe that's just because I was following so many people who were either new to modelling or trying it out (perhaps as a novelty or just an experimental layout... not sure). Also, I don't know if Bachmann are as forthcoming with contact with modellers like Hornby seem to be. I guess that could make things more difficult?

I'd love to know your thoughts and opinons!

njee20 · May 07, 2026, 08:49:45 AM

I think you probably over estimate the influence Peachy has. Everyone has "access" to manufacturers. He has interviewed folk at Hornby, yes, but I'm not sure that he's really made any meaningful difference aside from creating content. I'll be honest I sincerely hope that manufacturers aren't swayed by someone with 3000 YT subscribers.

I really dislike consuming content via YT, just doesn't work for me. There are some successful ones out there for sure, but I'm not sure we need to aspire to having some champion of N gauge in the YT "community".

Steven B · May 07, 2026, 09:22:50 AM

Perhaps not the same vein as Peachy, but try:
James Hilton's blog:
https://paxton-road.blogspot.com/

and Michael Scott's Chandwell:
https://www.youtube.com/@Chandwell
https://chandwell.wordpress.com/

Bealman · May 07, 2026, 09:30:29 AM

Quote from: njee20 on May 07, 2026, 08:49:45 AMI think you probably over estimate the influence Peachy has. Everyone has "access" to manufacturers. He has interviewed folk at Hornby, yes, but I'm not sure that he's really made any meaningful difference aside from creating content. I'll be honest I sincerely hope that manufacturers aren't swayed by someone with 3000 YT subscribers.

I really dislike consuming content via YT, just doesn't work for me. There are some successful ones out there for sure, but I'm not sure we need to aspire to having some champion of N gauge in the YT "community".

Totally agree.

Richard Taylor · May 07, 2026, 09:33:39 AM

It can cut two ways. Nothing puts me off taking TT120 seriously as a welcome addition to the range of modelling scales than the "zeal of the convert" rabid enthusiasm of the Hornby shills who seem to be promoting the scale as if all other scales are now irrelevant and anyone not adopting the "perfect" TT120 is a reactionary fossil.

And then in reality all the TT120 layouts I've seen so far have either been tedious glorified train sets running one of everything produced in the scale round and round and round...or micro-layouts carefully designed to hide the limitations of what's currently available.

The best advocates for N (and 2mm FS) are lots of varied layouts at exhibitions and in magazines and online showing what the scale can do and how much railway it allows you to get in a modern home. (Ironically, those TT120 micros might also be the best way forward for that scale as well.)

ntpntpntp · May 07, 2026, 10:33:25 AM

As a TT:120 collector (no layout yet) I quite enjoy Peachy's videos despite not being a fan of YT model railway evangelists in general. He does help to summarise new releases and has some interesting interviews with other industry players.

I appreciate the efforts he went to with TMC to come up with the 24 pin to 18 pin decoder bridge to accommodate HM7000 decoders in Heljan locos - though of course that is now superseded by "official" product expected from Accurrascale/Heljan.

03piggs · May 07, 2026, 12:23:48 PM

Hi Guys!

Not sure why, but I thought of a couple of points from the OP....

Quote from: Michanglais on May 07, 2026, 07:29:48 AMIt would be great if there was someone to 'champion' N gauge like him. Is there anyone? (If not, would anyone be willing? I'd put myself forward but my modelling skills are pretty basic and I don't have a YouTube channel yet...).

YouTube is a bit of a funny place, as most of it depends on the algorithms it detects from your content. I've had a couple of channels for a few years now (one for modelling, the other for films of the real railway) and it can be hard to get noticed. I've had videos that have had a high number of views, and then the next video bombed! There does seem to be some interest in N Gauge modelling, but as the majority are OO gauge, most of the 'bigger' channels are in that scale.

Quote from: Michanglais on May 07, 2026, 07:29:48 AMJust wondering. I'm a fan of the Model Rail Replacement Podcast and there's lots of talk about TT120, but very little for N. Seems there's lots of publicity out there for TT120.

I listen to 'MRRP' too and I do know what you mean about this, but this I think is more down to there own opinions as to what they prefer. One of their last episodes was about what would make them model in N/O and showed that (in my opinion) they have nothing against either of those gauges. James did used to model in N and Tom does produce stuff in N, so its more that TT120 is just a common scale among them.

Stu

cmason · May 07, 2026, 05:11:55 PM

Am I the only one who went "who?" in reaction to the name Peachy. Never heard of them.

I consume way too much YouTube, particularly when I am sitting/standing on a train, so if said individual is popular and model railway related I am surprised the algorithm has not thrown them at me... and I do find plenty of N gauge relevant material - although of course I search it out...

bluedepot · May 07, 2026, 06:18:00 PM

michanglais - you are going to have to bite the bullet and start a YouTube channel yourself!!

i've never watched peachy but had heard of the channel. i'll give it a watch. i don't think it will persuade me to go in for tt though.

personally i prefer non pretentious amateur channels where it is just other regular model train enthusiasts sharing whatever they are up to or what they find interesting. channels desperately chasing after views and subscribers or trying to become celebrities just annoy me. when people keep saying 'like and subscribe' i think it is just sad.

youtube can be great though so don't get me wrong. it's nice to see what other modellers are up to and interact in comments section.

cornish yorkie · May 07, 2026, 06:24:39 PM

Quote from: cmason on May 07, 2026, 05:11:55 PMAm I the only one who went "who?" in reaction to the name Peachy. Never heard of them.

I consume way too much YouTube, particularly when I am sitting/standing on a train, so if said individual is popular and model railway related I am surprised the algorithm has not thrown them at me... and I do find plenty of N gauge relevant material - although of course I search it out...

Easy answer Colin no I have never heard of Peachy & I enjoy You Tube

stay safe regards Derek

grumbeast · May 07, 2026, 07:52:35 PM

Quote from: cmason on May 07, 2026, 05:11:55 PMAm I the only one who went "who?" in reaction to the name Peachy. Never heard of them.

I consume way too much YouTube, particularly when I am sitting/standing on a train, so if said individual is popular and model railway related I am surprised the algorithm has not thrown them at me... and I do find plenty of N gauge relevant material - although of course I search it out...

Count me in as a 'who' response too. I also watch quite a bit of N gauge / Scale content and as @bluedepot mentioned, I tend to prefer amateur stuff too, especially a channel called budget model trains and other channels that focus more on repairs and renewals (seeing an old broken junker brought back from the dead is very satisfying)

JimSan · May 07, 2026, 08:50:50 PM

I would recommend Simon's Shed, he did go on hiatus for two years due to Youtube making the hobby less fun for him (which I can understand as been feeling that for my own channel) but he has been slowly getting back into things.

https://www.youtube.com/@SimonsShed

Will_J · May 07, 2026, 10:21:05 PM

My mate Matt is The N Gauge modeller on YouTube. He does some 009 too. He's recently been medically retired from his job on the real railways so is looking forward to getting a lot of his projects further along now that he's got some time to spend on them. He's a lovely chap and very passionate about our scale. Definitely worth a follow.

https://youtube.com/@thengaugemodeller

Michanglais · May 08, 2026, 07:36:03 AM

Some great comments and opinions, people!

Lots of useful links I'll be exploring, too.

I've been exploring YouTube (I know you don't all like it but I live in France and it's one of the easiest ways to stay in touch), and have found quite a lot of N gauge/scale. - Some great stuff out there.

I kinda think it would still be useful to have someone who had meetings and input with manufacturers (thinking of the now cancelled Mk 2 project Peachy had with Heljan/TMC for TT120). I take onboard the comments of those who don't know Peachy/feel his influence isn't that great but I don't know of anyone who gets to sit down with Bachmann (for Graham Farish) and gets to air ideas, etc. - perhaps someone can correct me on that. Not even sure Bachmann would be up for this, it has to be said.

Anyway, N gauge (or scale - I've also got some Canadian stuff) it is for me. 'Influencer' out there, or not!

Cheers everyone!

ntpntpntp · May 08, 2026, 04:35:23 PM

Quote from: Michanglais on May 08, 2026, 07:36:03 AMI kinda think it would still be useful to have someone who had meetings and input with manufacturers

Something I thought The N Gauge Society might have the "clout" to do. Can't say I've seen much online presence from them other than the web site. I remember when I was a member of the Worldwide Group 20 odd years ago and looked after the WW group web pages for a while, there tended to be a lot of objection and FOMO to online content not being available to everyone.