002 - Shelfington - My First N Gauge Layout
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 มี.ค. 2022
- Welcome to my second video for Ian's N Gauge channel!
In this instalment I talk about getting back into railway modelling after a 35 year break, discover some old friends and discuss my plans for my first ever N gauge layout called Shelfington.
I hope you find the video interesting and will join me on my journey as I document my progress in the weeks, months and years to come.
Oh, and if you've just got back into the hobby after a long break, the please let me know how you've found the experience. Alternatively, if you're an old hand at modelling in N gauge, then please impart your wisdom, and point me in the right direction please!
Thanks for watching.
Ian
Thank you for having this channel. I've had an interest in model trains since my time as a boy playing with my dads old loop of 3 rail O scale track nailed to an 8x4 plywood board.
Unfortunately I don't have the time, Space, or Money at present to have a layout of my own as the 37 year old father of a 3 year old and sole breadwinner of the family. So I live vicariously via youtube channels noting down from various youtubers the things I might want in some future layout should I ever have appropriate time/Space/Money to craft one and also Taking notes on Scenery which I can use in my current Wargaming Hobby which takes up less space than trains would but uses some of the same skills.
It's certainly a lot more expensive hobby than I remember it being years ago, but I've found that by going slowly and taking my time, I can add to my kit every month and make a little progress. At least you'll have the skills from your wargaming hobby to help you out when you eventually get started with your model railway! Good luck! Ian
Hi Ian - It was lovely to hear about you opening up all your old train stock with your dad and having a good old chinwag about it all.
Like you I have spent a small fortune on new tools, controller, soldering iron etc, and cannot wait to carry on when funds become available.
Regarding the controller, I did a lot of research and just wanted something reliable and simple. All it will do is control my DCC operated trains and nothing else, so I chose the NCE Power cab and do not regret it at all. So I would say that if that is the one you want be patient and one will turn up, they will be making that one for years to come as they are so good and Hattons have a pre order for the Power Cab and state they will be getting them in March or April.
My pointwork will be a separate system operated by levers.
My only other piece of advice is when you go into the next project you will no doubt find everything you need to know on TH-cam.
But say you want to build a goods shed, just ask what make people prefer and reasons why. Any other questions that pop into your head, also ask as you are building if something does not seem right. Believe me you will get loads of help on here.
All the best.
Regards Chris
Hi Chris, yes, it was good talking with dad about the train years! Getting back into the hobby has been quite an expensive business, but hopefully it's an investment, as all of the tools I've purchased can be used for years to come, and not all of them are model railway specific! I've finally bit the bullet and bought a Digikeijs DR5000 controller, simply for the flexibility, but it was a very close thing! With Shelfington I'm going to be experimenting with point controllers! I've purchased some Rails of Sheffield surface mounted ones initially, which can be controlled from the DCC bus, but I'm planning on having a both 12V and 3/5V DC busses for auxiliary systems, including other point motors! I've definitely found TH-cam to be an invaluable source of information, and have found the model rail community to be both friendly and helpful, which is a refreshing change for an internet based community! Ian
It must have been like opening Aladdin's cave when you opened the box of your old rolling stock. I had to smile when you said how much 'stuff' you have bought on returning to the hobby. It is amazing how much you need beyond track and trains. The layout plans look interesting. One thing to be aware of in planning the bigger layouts is basic set track turnouts (ST5 and ST6) have first radius curves. The consensus seems to be that these are best avoided because many locos are meant for nothing smaller than second radius curves. You will be fine with Shelvington where space dictates you have small turnouts. On the controller I bought a Gaugemaster Prodigy Advance on advice from my model shop. I am happy with it, but it has its limitations if one was interested in using a computer to run the layout. The NCE gets good recommendations whenever people ask for recommendations as a starter controller. Look forward to seeing Shelvington come to life when you can get a controller. Stephen
Yes, opening the boxes was like Christmas morning all over again! You're right, there's all sorts of stuff you don't even think about buying when starting out again! Most of it is cheap and cheerful stuff from eBay or Amazon, but the numbers soon add up! I was quite surprised at how much acrylic paints can cost though! About the track, yes, I've read that the set track points can be a bit tight, but won't have anything more than a few wagons and a shunter or two on Shelfington so should be okay! For the 'bigger' layout (should Shelfington be a success) I plan on using Peco Code 55 Streamline track should my bank balance ever recover!!! I think I looked at the Gaugemaster Prodigy Advance when I saw you were using one, but preferred the control layout on the NCE, with the wheel in the middle and the accelerate and brake buttons either side, so I was leaning towards that! Nothing seems in stock at the moment, so I may have to try my hand at eBay and go second hand! Thanks again for your support, it's much appreciated! Ian
Hi Ian, came to your channel via Elvenholme which got me, very late, into model railways. I was a dedicated wargamer until COVID and wanted something to do alone, now I am totally hooked. Looking forward to how your channel progresses, its a huge learning curve, I have made plenty of mistakes and now just about to rip up my current layout and start again , My DCC set up uses the Gaugemaster Prodigy system, which I am happy with, later on consider light and sound, they make a huge difference
Hi Colin, and welcome! Yes, it's all very daunting at the moment as so much has changed since I was last involved in the hobby! I'm pretty much hooked though! Regarding DCC, I've finally bit the bullet and bought the Digikeijs DR5000, which should arrive next week sometime! Yes, I plan on having a couple of bus wires run around the layout for dealing with things like light and sound, although they are way off in the future! Ian
Great story Ian, I left N gauge in the late 70's and returned about 2012, the You tube community helps you keep motivated but go a module at a time. Look forward to watching your channel. I have a MRC Prodigy which the USA version of the gauge master Prodigy, it's been great but i don't know any better so if you get chance try a few out. I think I would like one with two throttles.
Thanks! Yes, TH-cam has been an amazing resource, and it'll provide a great way to document my progress and hopefully get some hints and tips to keep me going in the right direction! I've not looked at any of the Gaugemaster products as I think I got hung up on the NCE powercab starter set, as it seems to be perfect for the small size of Shelfington! For me, it also has the control layout I've seen so far, with both a wheel and two sets of buttons for speed control! However, I've also started to think about what I'll do when / if I end up with a larger layout, so maybe I should expand my search criteria? Thanks again. Ian
Hi Ian, wow those boxes of all that old stuff, nice 👍Look forward to seeing the progress of your layout. I went with the DR5000 as it seems to be fairly versatile. Previously I used NCE (which I now use on a dedicated test/programming track). There are many choices out there!! John
Thanks John! I think I'm also leaning towards the DR5000,, but maybe for when I build something a little bigger than Shelfington. I think the NCE will suit my needs in the meantime, but yes, there are lots of choices! It's quite confusing for a newcomer, and a far cry from the old days with my experiences with DC! There also seems to be a shortage of DCC controllers at the moment as everywhere I look they're out of stock! Oh well! I'll get there in the end... Ian
If you are good with computers, you might be interested in DCC++EX running on an arduino. Even if it just get's you up and running cheaply, which you consider something more premium.
Hi Simon, thank you, that's an interesting suggestion! I hadn't considered this option as I figured it would add to my already steep learning curve! However, I'll take a closer look at it as I know Arduino based solutions for other aspects, such as point control and block detection are popular. Ian
Looking good! I stumbled across your channel. Very good information. Liked and Subbed! Cheers, Andy
Hi Andy! Thank you! Love your channel name! :) I'll check it out when I have some time! Cheers, Ian.
This is very appropriate as I'm planning a N Gauge layout in my lounge. The space I've got is 12 x 2 feet. This has to include a fiddle yard. It will be a small terminl suburban station feeding London, set in Era 4/5. It will be DCC as I had a 00 DCC layout before I downsized. I used DigiTrax and DCC point controls. However I like the look of the NCE system. It has enough amps to power 8 N Gauge locos.
Hi John, that's good to know. 12' x 2' should be wide enough to get at least one loop in, and is a very good length, so you should have plenty of room for your fiddle yard! Yes, the NCE system looked excellent, but in the end I went with a Digikeijs DR5000, simply because it offered more flexibility. Ian
Hello Ian I too am a recent returnee to the hobby, after a similar number of years away and yes its an eyeopener isn't it. I don't have a you tube channel yet... (maybe in the future?) but have managed to make a sort of shelf layout using some of the Scale Model Scenery 'Micro layout baseboards' which are really easy to put together and work on. I've so far got some track down, wired (DCC), ballasted, weathered the track and ballast and some testing (playing trains, lol). Although all that has taken me about 6 months (on and off), with limited time and only working on it at weekends etc. Good luck with your build, hope it goes well. Pete (if I ever get a YT channel I will be Cheadle Heath, hopefully)
Hi Peter! It's amazing how much has changed in my years away! Big manufacturers seem to have disappeared, big manufacturers seem to have arrived, a DCC revolution has occurred, lots of small businesses have popped up and, of course, with the internet, TH-cam has become the place to come to gather all sorts of information! I must admit that I hadn't intended to create a channel though, but as I gained knowledge, I thought it only fair to share my experiences! Those Scale Model Scenery baseboards look like a great idea, and I bet you've made them look fantastic! Six months to get track down, ballasted and weathered is pretty good going considering I've been going for about three months in total and haven't even build my baseboard yet!!! Thanks for the good luck, and I hope you get Cheadle Heath channel up and running! Ian
Awesome! Great video and looking forward to more.
I’m in exactly the same boat starting fresh with N gauge after 25 years since doing it as a kid - even dug my old HO out of my parents attic the other week too!
Interested in your DCC options - I’ve been told that digitrax is the best for computer types, but maybe I need to look deeper at those others.
I’ve been playing with AnyRail - have you tried it compare to Railway Modeller? I’m a Mac guy but have a PC for playing games on so have been running it on that.
Hi Nathan, thanks for the sub and the kind words! It's great getting back into something that you've been away from for a few decades isn't it? Especially when you find your old stuff in your parents house! I ended up going for the Digikeijs DR5000 in the end, which was the subject of my video #005 if memory serves! I'm a Mac guy too, but have Windows machines for work, and now also have one to control my layout, although I haven't tried AnyRail yet! It is on my list of things to try though before I finally, finally, finally finalise the track plan! LOL! Good luck with your layout! Best wishes, Ian.
Hi Ian - you must have been delighted to see all your Dad's old stock neatly packed away. I did the same as you and watch countless TH-cam videos and used CAD to design countless layouts while awaiting that moment when I could actually start to build. I also researched the awesome range of control systems and eventually settles on a DR5000, as it gave me such a variety of options. Being from a computer background like yourself I had it in my mind to eventually use Itrain on the laptop to schedule in the running, and using the free Z21 app on my phone and the DR5000's own wifi to control the locos which I have been successful in doing. Eventually my aim is to have the ITrain to control all other locos and have the Z21 app to "play" at shunting etc. I will watch your progress with anticipation. For advice and suggestions on DCC look at Ironplanet Hobbies channel and DCCTrainAutomation Channel - both are very helpful with advice and questions and will respond to any questions you may have. If I had more understanding of programming I would have chosen the arduino route but as I was new to the hobby went for plug and play.
Regards
Steve
Hi Steve, yes, I was absolutely amazed to see all of our old trains all boxed up and neatly stored as I thought they had all been given away! I nearly went down the route of Arduino but the system I was looking at didn't directly support hardware throttles! I've finally gone and bought a DR5000 which should arrive next week! I also plan to use some sort of automation eventually, but haven't fully researched exactly what's available yet, although I know I'd like to program my own operations at some point! I know very little about iTrain or the Z21 app, but I guess I'll be learning soon if I want to use my new controller!! Ian
If you have any interest in DIY electronics I would suggest looking into the DCC + EX systems that are out there now. Can be far more inexpensive than commercial DCC systems. Looking forward to seeing how your layout comes together.
Hi, yes, I looked into DCC+ systems at the time, but there was no way of using them with a hardware throttle, so you could only control the system using either a computer or a tablet / phone. This may have changed now, but I've opted for the Digikeijs DR5000, which is an excellent bit of kit! All the best, Ian.
Hi Ian just watched your video and enjoyed. I model n gauge and use digtrax base station with pc adaptor box, PC and JMRI program with IPads. I have been like you back in the hobby for 40 year gab. If your into computers have a look at JMRI Peter
Thanks Peter, glad you liked the video! I ended up ordering a Digikeijs DR5000 in the end, which I believe will give me the greatest flexibility. I'm pretty sure it's compatible with JMRI, so have that to look forward to in my future - either that or iTrain maybe? It's all been a rather steep learning curve so far, but I'm getting there. You've been away from the hobby even longer than me, so there must be even more new things you have to get used to! Hopefully things will start to get more familiar once I've got the track down and powered up! Ian
Go for the z21 (small z - white case) controller, you wont regret it.
Hi Nick! Thanks for the advice! I ended up with the Digikeijs DR5000 which I'm very happy with! All the best, Ian.
What software did you use to design the layout in?
Hi Daniel! I use RailModeller Pro on the Mac to design my track plans! Cheers, Ian.
@@iansngauge thank you
Ian actually has an N SCALE (not gauge) layout. There are only 2 gauges: narrow and standard. There are numerous scales e.g.: TT, N, HO, etc..
Hi Bill! Actually, N Gauge refers to the GAUGE of the track, which is 9mm, and N SCALE refers to the ratio between the model size and the real thing. There are also way more than two gauges of track that have been used in the real world. Ian
Narrow gauge isn’t a set gauge, it is any gauge under standard gauge. So, 3ft 6in and 2ft are both narrow gauge, while 4ft 8.5in is standard. And there are also broad gauges, such as the one used in Australia and Ireland: 5ft 3in. And also, Brunel’s broad gauge, which I believe was 7ft.
@@LucaWinstanley-ox4in - Thank you! Indeed! There are also tracks that have multiple gauges that have more than two rails so that the tracks support the operation of locomotives with varying width wheelsets! Like I said above, "there are way more than two gauges of track" used in the real world! All the best, Ian.
Hi ian be prepared to spend even more money , i love the name of your layout , but if you upgrade are you going to change the name maybe shedington ,loftington or even garagington ,have fun with your hobby..........................tony
Hi Tony! Oh my word, yes, this is an expensive hobby! I must be in to it by about £2000 so far, and haven't laid a piece of track yet! I'm not sure how kids are supposed to get into the hobby any more! Regarding the name, well, that will crop up in an upcoming video in a couple of weeks time - so watch this space! :) Cheers, Ian.