Great idea the spreadsheet. If you copy the video number, and then put it in your You Tube page search field, it will take you to the video. Thanks you for putting it up, and thanks to the fellow who made the spread sheet. Another great video Charlie. Well done.
Funny you should mention youth in the hobby and the high cost of equipment Just today I delivered a bunch of cars and locomotives to a youngster in town who loves trains. I also bring him magazines that I’ve accumulated over the years. Where do I get the equipment to give him? Well we all have excess that no longer meets our needs or level of detail requirements. My friends know of my endeavor to provide for this 7 year old and have joined the effort. Brass track and switches are not acceptable for our layouts nor are the old TYCO cars but to him they are pure gold. So there you are. Don’t wait till you pass on rather pass it on while you can and enjoy putting a smile on some youngsters face.
I like your apology for giggles, making a lash up of an explanation, is human, being perfect , may put an in experienced off, those of similar expertise will have a good natured laugh, I will be reassured, if do something similar, I will place it on thr alter of experience.. once again, thank you. Patrick
@@ChadwickModelRailway Thanks very much for replying to my comment. It's nice to see other people's work to get idea to improve my Channel. Take Care & Stay Safe.
Hi Charlie, certainly a something for everyone video, very enjoyable, thanks. Yes inflated prices are rebalancing who can afford to buy new. By example only today a Hornby shunters truck on offer at £14 stated RRP £20.99 yet 3 years ago on offer from the same UK company at £6. Somewhere folk are creaming off a lot particularly when tooling and development costs have been recovered. POM is a doddle with Gaugemaster/ MRC and as you say you have to be careful ensuring you know what you are doing, practise first! All the best Stephen
Just a quick thank you for your tips and help I have found invaluable in my perhaps last major build in my 21 x 12 garage a dream of a four lane .main line realised. Retired and having grandchildren I hope to pass the bug onto my grandchildren we are building it together like I did with there parents lol. I have seen so much in my 60+ plus years and debating on a switch to DCC, computers I like but I also have a few engines from my younger days that wont convert. I look forward to your next video it is a highlight of the week and thank you once again for all the tips, passion and ideas.
Hi Charlie. On the subject of programming tracks, why not use the front track of your fiddle yard as dual purpose. You just need to fully isolate it, run the train in, throw a switch to disconnect it from the rest of the layout, and program away. Throw the switch and drive out. Repeat as necessary until satisfied with the CV settings. Regarding stopping the trains at the right places, have you considered using ABC (asymmetric braking control). All ZIMO decoders have it fitted as standard and it works brilliantly. Regards, Chris
An excellent point Christopher, regarding the programming track. However, with decoders, I’m strictly an ESU guy. It’s too late to change, regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie , Thanks for advising us all on how the yellow and red stripes on the tops of the british rail passengers cars. Im 54 and learn somethin new every day thanks to guys like you. Thanks heeps. Cheers from John in Australia.
Charlie thank you so much for the CV sheets link. I haven't gotten into changing CV's as of yet but I now have a cheet sheet to help. Keep having fun, Chris
Hi, I've watched nearly all your videos and have dipped in and out of model railways. I want to say thank you for your content it is great. You are right the cost of this hobby now compared to 10 years ago is prohibitive to some people including myself. I look at prices of locos and think I could buy a car for that.
James, you can always do a little shelf shunting layout and use a lot of second hand stock and kits. Many of my wagons are £4 from the bargain bin at Ron Lines in Southampton.
Agreed. And having recently gone from working husband/unemployed wife to unemployed husband/working wife, I feel the pain even worse. But: eBay - I have bought Tangent & Broadway Limited rolling stock new from hobby shops or the manufacturers previously. Gorgeous detail. But I also have bought plenty of Bowser, Trainline & RTR used on eBay for half the cost of new. Though it takes more attention and patience to get good stuff, everything I bought was new-in-box or literally pristine used. I make sure the cars have knuckle couplers (works for now) and I don't buy if the seller doesn't show all six sides of a car (unless I've bought from them several times before and they accept returns). eBay is a lot more strict than many think. I've made many dozen purchases and not been scammed. I'm doing the same for scenery, electronics, and structure models. The only "mandatory buy new" for me are locomotives and DCC systems (or use DCC++). Buy out-of-production (eBay or hobby stores). They're not as beautifully detailed with the most bells & whistles as the most recent models, but it's better than not participating!
@@frankhellman6879 Hope the work situation sorts itself out soon for you Frank 🙂 and like the caution comment regarding online sellers regarding photos etc 👍
Thanks for the update Charlie. Really enjoyed seeing how its come along since the autumn. I have to agree about the price increase it's really going to test the hobby if you ask me. Hornby making a class 47 in GWR livery is a bit cheeky too. Ive met a chap down my local market who has a shop there and is able to get items second hand at good prices so ive adapted and quite enjoy the "bargain hunt". Also thanks for the info on the yellow strip for the first class coach. Never knew that. Sadly i cannot have long trains because of layout size but maybe one day. Thanks for the video look forward to next time.
To Charlie. I'm relatively new to your channel, but it's been a pleasure to watch your layout develop during my binge watching to catch up. I am a good miniature model painter and bringing my skills to the train hobby is seamless. Wish I lived closer, It would be a privilege to help with your scenery.
Wow l am just coming back to the mimature railway world after 30 years now that lam retired. I really wish to thank you for your videos l am really lam learning so much please please keep them coming many thanks from me(Richard) .
Just to complicate matters, a red stripe at cantrail level doesn't just mean catering, it can also mean restricted seating. On the Southern Region some of the older EPB units were built with non corridor full length compartments at one end of some coaches. In the eighties and early nineties those units still in service that had them, had a red stripe painted above the compartments. It meant that the compartments were restricted to use by groups of people travelling together only, outside of peak time. It was intended as a precaution against solo travellers being assaulted/mugged during quiet periods.
Brilliant absolutely brilliant, I definitely agree with your comments over the price and that Hornby and other companies have put on our hobby , I have had many (warm) discussions with Hornby representatives over this whenever they ask for feedback - anyway we loved your latest offering please keep them coming and stay safe 👍
@@ChadwickModelRailway I do think it very sad because they always advertised there train sets as a family event small boys playing with there farther around a train set and for me and many more it was just like that and so the interest grew but now pricing has just destroyed that and put our hobby in danger of coming extinct , anyway take care and stay safe Charlie 👍
Hi Charlie I have an old computer power unit I have used for my model bus layout, it had 3.3 volt good for LED,s 5 volt and of course 12 volt output. There are a lot of good TH-cam videos showing how to convert one I have used screw terminals in blocks for each voltage on a large PCB board and mounted it alongside the power unit. As always a great video of yours and I also follow McKinley Railway and I blown away with how they have managed to overcome all different problems.
HI Charlie, Thanks for the update - I too had the same issue with the Pullman. However in my fiddle yard I have have a line, full length, that is isolated to become the programming track. Saves removing the locos make it easier to connect things together whilst setting up. David.
As some one who works trackside, Carl is quite right in the changes in the colour of the ballast of ten over very short distances and these colour differences are across the network. great video charlie, thank you.
You can see it as a passenger too, especially on some more rural lines where there are fewer tunnels. You can see the track ballast in parts looks a lighter grey, sometimes almost a black. Unless you think about it, you'd swear it was all the same, but if you watch out for it, you can see all the colour variations
That Intercity was an absolute steal, well done Sir. Hornby really are taking the wotsit these days. I've shelved my main project as it's not going to happen anytime soon, we simply haven't the room. I've recently got a 43 dummy car and two carriages for a song with a view to making a diorama of a grimy inner city/suburban late 70s to mid 80s locale. Apart from anything else, it'll be good practice for my various, laughably called modelling skills.
FC at London end- not so much the less distance to walk but it is closer to the Tube so can be first through the gates. The rest have to queue and wait for the crowds to ease.
More interesting stuff; I'm tempted to say "what's Ballast?" as I'm still struggling to get there. The spreadsheet of videos was very necessary. I was about to ask about such a thing. When you jump into the videos new after this time it is a little mind blowing and very easy to forget which one contained what and a long job flicking back through them all to find the bit you were interested in or follow them in sequence on a topic.
Hi Charlie, cant wade through all the comments and you may be aware but, I have a Ramsey's 9th edition but not aware of anything later...... love your video's keep it up!
Hi, you have touched on in the beginning off the video that you have no clue how young people would not be very assessable to the hobby as the prices go up. As a “young” individual that is into the hobby, I can tell you that is not the main problem. For me at least the prices are expensive but doable (I do mostly buy second hand). But the main thing what it makes it so hard to go into the hobby is the lack of information for people that don’t already have contacts within the hobby or the time to go to every show or fair. If I can even find when they are taking place, because that information is also not thrown about (I have the feeling everything is very old school done, even some suppliers don't even display somewhere what kind of functions a model has). It’s just very frustrating sometimes, because I still study and work on the side, I don’t have a of time in the week to work on it. Maybe only a few hours, and then to spend those few hours just searching for something stupid. While I just want to glue a factory together or do some terrain work. I also want to say with that, your videos help a lot. Even though here in the Netherlands things are mostly different, at least it gives some information in what direction to look.
Thank-you for the excellent update. Lots to see and your explanations are as clear as always. The area ‘in front’ of the tracks at Paddington Station is still called ‘The Lawn’ as I understand it was once…a ‘lawn’. Great to see more modifications of the older rolling stock, this being just like the real thing being overhauled. Regards.
Hi Charlie nice video and thanks for sharing the very easy programming on the main track at the end. Like you I've always worried about trying to program on the main even though digitrax says you can. Now I've watched you and seen how easy it is then I'll be giving it a go so again thanks for sharing that. Atb Andy
Totally agree about the effect of the enormous price rises on the hobbies ability to attract youngsters into the hobby. I think that hornby and Bachmann are shooting themselves in the foot. Keep up the good work mate
Great video as always. For my layout I use one of my industrial sidings for my programming. After the turn out I have both rails insulated. The power for this siding is feed through a toggle switch. I believe it is called a a double pull double throw. As I move the toggle switch from left to right it goes from on to off to on again. On one side I have main power coming in and on the other I have the program power coming in. So depending on what side the toggle is one decides what power is sent to the track. During normal time the toggle is thrown to the main power and I use the siding to switch cars in and out of the industry. If I need to program anything I drive the train on using main power and then switch to program power. My siding is long enough to hold more then my longest piece of equipment that would need programming.
Superb video. So glad someone has done a spreadsheet of all sessions from Chadwick. Recently thought this would be helpful, and lo and behold someone does! Haven’t been brave enough to do POM on my Lenz system, but a programming track works for me. No long trains to programme - 3 car dmu just fits
Thanks Charlie, good content as always, liked the laughter - brighten a sad day. Keep up the good work, looking forward to the next trilling episode. William
Hi Charlie, in Yate where I live trains from Bristol travel on the up line to Birmingham and vice versa, I believe this was because it was formerly the Midland Railway and hence was centred there rather than London.
Love the videos. I live in Atlanta and struggle getting hold of UK outline stock at decent prices. Eye watering prices from the big two really put a kink-in-the-think but I’m finding ways to adapt even spilt chassis locos and ancient models to dcc. THAT challenges has been fun so perhaps the staggering prices have woken up a few ideas of actual modeling again. Our hobby has always been about cardboard, plaster and glue, in a way the fine models that are now unattainable jsut gets us back to our roots. Keep up the good work.
Same in Australia. Pruces are outrageous. I can't see new blood entering the hobby. Another annoying thing are the entrepreneurial type that buys up a large number of popular rolling stock, and then price gouges on Ebay and other selling mediums.
Fortunately, my Digitrax Zephyr has a menu item for programming on operating tracks, so it was not hard to find and use. It is a good way to modify CVs where one can immediately see the result, such as momentum (as you demonstrated) and braking, plus light/lamp operations. Thanks as usual, Charlie, for an informative video. Cheers from Wisconsin!
Thanks so much for the informative, thoughtful and down to earth videos Charlie. I am looking to get into the hobby with an N gauge layout. Currently in "negotiations" with my wife for a spot in the house, unfortunately it looks like the garage will be the spot! In the course of my work with off shore suppliers, I can tell you the cost of mechanical and electrical parts as well as tooling for plastic and die cast parts have sky rocketed over the past 2 years. Shipping and lead times have also increased at an astonishing rate. I thought I was going to get lucky having the Bachmann factory so close, but with all those factors in mind, "OUT OF STOCK" is the normal. Just wanted to let you know that I have learned a bunch from your videos and if I can help with a 3D model of an idea you may have to make life easier or something unique, please do not hesitate.
Thanks for the interesting video Charlie. The plugs you refer to are DC 2.1x5.5x14 DC POWER PLUG, FOR 2.1mm PIN, TOTAL LENGTH 30MM. They are the same as the plug on, e.g., a Digitrax PS14 and fit into everything Digitrax. I.E., UP5, PR4, DS64, DS74, DS78V, LNWI, UR90, UR92, UR93, SE8C, etc. A matching socket is PLUG DC-PWR 2.0x09 OVAL P/MNT PANEL MOUNT DC-POWER PLUG, 2MM PIN, OVAL FLANGE, SOLDER. MATES WITH 2.1mm The socket may be useful to plug something like a PS14 (or larger capacity equivalent) into a box, where the socket connects to a terminal block, which is then used for multiple outputs to 2.1mm plugs for your various devices as above. A PS14 can power up to 10 UP5s, but only 1 DS64. Hope this is useful.
Hi Charlie, another interesting update and good to see the fiddle yard progressing well along with the other mini projects. Agree with Carl’s observations and one additional comment … newer ballast is often found along ballast shoulders. This is usually to top-up any low ballast shoulders in order to provide additional weight to increase lateral resistance of the sleepers to prevent track quality misalignments, also along CWR routes (continually welded rail) to reduce the possibility of a track buckle during hot weather. Hence stone drops are often booked during spring to top-up the ballast shoulders prior to hot weather arriving during late spring/early summer … and this often can be naturally different colour ballast (as Carl mentioned, could be sourced from a different quarry), also be less aged/dirty. The clip approx 6:50 appears to show newer stone dropped along the ballast shoulders. Kinds regards, Mark 👍
Another extremely well put together and informative video Charlie. Can I just make a general observation and not just model railway related. Please consider wearing "knee protectors" when kneeling on hard surfaces. As someone of a similar age and who has suffered the agony of 'Bursitis" (a hard and painful lump on the front of the kneecap) on both knees due to spending too much time doing what you were doing, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. If you do consider getting some don't fall into the trap of buying cheap foam ones from B&Q. For around £20 you can buy some very good plastic shell type ones with Gell inserts that make kneeling extremely comfortable. Best £20 I ever spent! Best wishes.
An excellent comment Dave,, with some great advice. I have actually got a pair but haven’t used them since I laid the wooden clip lock floor.Clearly, I need to dig them out mate. Regards Charlie
Hi Charlie Great video as usual. With reference to the proposed approach to the helix, given you run longer rolling stock, you may think about approaching the helix at a tangent , the S may cause a problem. Take care , I look forward to you next video. Michael from Australia
Hi Charlie always interesting and entertaining, thought back to my Navy days and my favourite Cornish pasty vender Penzance, a butcher in town lovely. Anyway trains from Paddington on Platform 2 ,1st always a 800yd hike to station and covered exit. Always a good laugh with the goffers during storm season, sat with a stewed cup of tea Eccles cake for afters and a lovely hot pasty with hp brown sauce, watching the toffs getting soaked. I had hornby Class 50s on my list but £45 more expensive with a black roof as well not good for 1986/7 modelling. So accurascale class 37 and the new class 31 on my new list all the best Richard
With costs rising, quality not quantity is going to have to be my bye word. Working with those I have and fitted lights, crew, weathering ect! Then only buying the absolute necessary and what I can afford! Strikes me that companies will only charge what they feel they can get away with? If items don’t sell they will cut the cost. Maybe the next model produced will be less detailed, to keep the cost down? Superb video as ever, thanks for sharing!👏👏👏
Thank you for another enjoyable video, I do look forward to Thursday every two weeks to see what you have in store for us. After watching an earlier video I changed all my wiring over to the connector blocks and it made things a lot easier.
Charlie, great video as always. I am just getting into DCC, and recently had a TCS decoder fitted to one of my locos. It has a function that might do the job for your Pullman consist. Button 7 is a brake function. I discovered this by accident, not having read through the paperwork, like I should have done. I set the speed to zero and the loco just kept going. I discovered that button seven on this decoder applies 20% braking with each button press, gradually slowing the loco down, 5 presses to stop completely (all adjustable through the CV), so you end up applying a braking sequence just like a real train. Awesome, I thought. Might be useful for your Pullman.
Another entertaining video Charlie. I like seeing the scenery construction, but its nice to see trains running, not so much into the technical stuff, but still find all your video`s great.
Hi Charlie another great video just like to pick you up on the positioning of the first class coaches yes us oldies can get straight on to the first class at the London terminals but rember when I get to Norwich from London I have to walk 10 coaches to the exit gate and vice versa when you go to London keep up the great work look forward every fortnight to the next video Cheers Mike
I have a digikeijs Dr5000 - that unit has a programming track output which you can connect to a section of track ( Block) on you layout and write to the loco you want to change settings on only. when not in programming mode that section (block) reverts back to being a normal part of your layout.
Good evening Charlie, I have been rewatching a lot of your videos on the plans and design of Chadwick, and one part that I would love to know more about was from video 113, you had a wheel cleaning section of track in the fiddle yard, could you please go into a little more detail on this as I have struggled to find anything useful on the internet or TH-cam, Very much appreciate your amazing videos and the inspiration you are to myself and I’m sure so many others! Thank you James
Nice video Charlie, I agree on the ESU Lokpilot's. Last Year after having issues with with Hornby and Zen decoders, I decided to try them and I have to say I'm sold. I will never use anything other than ESU now. They are super smooth and run over anything amd quite easy to program.
Would you believe that i've been struggling for years to work out how to program on the main with my DCS51. However I made the silly mistake to put the cheaper Hornby decoders in most of my loco's! Might be time for some ESU lokpilots! Many thanks as always Charlie, you've taught me something new yet again!
Just wanted to say thanks for the videos, Charlie. Been watching quite a few, always enjoy and learn a lot. You're a great teacher. If you ever get to the States, I'd like to buy you (and the missus, if there is one) a beer. Or several.
Great video, Charlie. Interesting about Program on Main (POM), that shows planning is useful. Three options; the one you show (POM) is a great option, but given that there will be a lot of other decoders attached to the same lines. 2nd option: Some controllers have the option of a section of track being used for either programming track or main track, so could be a long station platform to cope with your longest train. 3rd option is to have a section of track that you can switch across to be the programming track or main track (ie a switch outside the controller). As with the selectable track, this can be a long section (platform or siding) that can cope with the longest train you plan to run (and might be longer than your longest platform, if the loco does not need to be “supported” at the platform. Certainly, including a section of track as part of the layout that you can get the train onto without “hand of God” is increasingly important, with many trains having the specialist delicate couplings, (and, of course, any custom wiring you may have that you would rather not have to disconnect), to pass decoder signals up and down the train without each source of lights having to have a decoder and track connection. Wonderful info!
An excellent comment as usual Tom. I have in mind a nice long track which is part of my future build, which will become my designated programming track. Regards Charlie
I agree with you on the price of things in the hobby. I think there is a good value for the money that is spent with all the details that are put into a model amd if you where to compare the store bought model that is all decked out and a model that you yourself decked out the cost would be similar. What I don't see any more is the option to buy the basic model and then over time add the details. Sure I may spend the same in the end but I can't afford top shelf right from the store. Bits and pieces here and there is much more friendly on the wallet.
Enjoyable update Charlie. Right with you about the costs of mew locos and rolling stock. I enjoy keeping old locos including Hornby Dublo and Triang going partly because I enjoy seeing the old girls still going and because they are treasured childhood memories too. Generally I buy used locos carefully and have got some excellent models that whilst 20 years old have great detail, run well and are relatively easy to service. £80 second-hand or £200 new…? If I could pay £200 I suspect it would still be keeping the £80 old ‘un going!
Nice one again Charlie ,re the programming on track scenario with the Gaugemaster Prodigy, when you enter ` program on track` you have to enter the loco address, you are then addressing just that loco i have done this many times and never had a issue with interfering any other locos..you got some good bargains there ..
Not just me then shocked by the recent price increase especially by Hornby, However I just had to purchase the Duchess of Montrose set even though I will not use the Hornby track. The Duchess loco was my 1st ever train set in 1964 in Hornby Dublo 3 rail , so it’s in remberance . Great videos Charlie
Charlie: I don't know what the Hornby prices used to be (my own ignorance showing here), but the current prices (example, Class 56 loco) are absolutely outrageous! 217 Pounds just for the loco!?!?!? Who but for the very affluent of families are going to be able to afford to buy these for their children!? Sad.... as they are seemingly "writing their own corporate death certificate" by pricing themselves out of the market for ANY young newcomers.
Charlie, thank you for the update. Lots of really good information, and food for lots of thoughts. The ballasting information was fascinating. But, it makes sense, that the ballast would be sourced appropriate to where the nearest depot was, and on the up or the down. I look forward to your videos, so can't wait for the next one in 2 weeks. Cheers, and stay safe. Michael
Hi Charlie, thank you for your very informative session. It is always a pleasure to visit Chadwick Model Railway, and see your progress. I think your recent acquisitions will look brilliant on the tracks. I expect quite a few people will be coming through the station down from London, on the Inter City 125. I dare say you could also recommend the Digi Track Manual for bed time reading.
Hi Charlie, great video as always - love seeing that you've got a new video up and the kettle goes on straight away for a cuppa while watching. The DC power connectors you mention at 18:58 are most likely 2.1mm size, I think this refers to the size of the pin inside but I haven't got anything small enough to measure for sure. Cheers from down under, Kevin
01:00 Some time ago I commented on the positioning of the Signal Box for this area. IMHO, this is the *perfect* place for it. IRL you would be able to see the Station area, the Junction, the 'Branch Line' down to the helix and further out towards/across the Viaduct. Of course, it would require a Box with 360° views as opposed to that little 'cabin' type one . . . .
As mentioned , up and down lines can change on a trains journey, for instance a train running from Cardiff will approach Shrewsbury in the up direction and depart toward Crewe in the down direction, having not actually changed direction , simple really…..
Same thing in Ireland, for loco hauled trains the first is always at the Dublin end of the train. Though funnily enough at the terminus stations for loco hauls from Dublin, Cork and Belfast, the first class is the furthest from the exit. Though it's also the closest to the luggage compartment.
Hi Charlie when i was at a local model raill club i was told that where concrete sleeper track joins wooden rail points i was the first 6 or so sleepers were wooden
Hi Charlie I’ve not been able to purchase items from the UK since Covid started. Postage has gone astronomical! I had purchased a Duchess (2nd hand) off eBay in Australia. It needs smoke deflectors and 2 buffers. Found them in the UK at Peters Spares, for about £11. However, the postage cost was in the region of £25!!! International postage has gone completely nuts. I was told it was because of the lack of international flights during the on/off lockdown’s. As always, great video Cheers Steve
16:51 Hi Charlie: just a friendly "point of order"(Blimey, now I'm impersonating the House Speaker🙄). Anyway, this yellow stripe denoting the 1st class coaches/cars is not a.just "here in UK" story but an International regulation to all members of the UIC ("Union Internationale des Chemins de fer" - International Railways Union). As such all 1st class passenger cars (or sections of cars/compartments) have to exhibit this yellow marking. Red being suggested for dining/restaurant/buffet cars. As for the other classes (2nd and/or 3rd depending on the countries and/or companies, the choice is left between green, blue or no marking at all. Needless to say those are no hard rulings, regulations, laws or norms like those applied to vital safety components like gauge, coupling or breaking systems.
Great idea the spreadsheet. If you copy the video number, and then put it in your You Tube page search field, it will take you to the video.
Thanks you for putting it up, and thanks to the fellow who made the spread sheet.
Another great video Charlie. Well done.
Yes Peter, I am certainly in Patrick’s debt for this one.
Regards Charlie
Funny you should mention youth in the hobby and the high cost of equipment
Just today I delivered a bunch of cars and locomotives to a youngster in town who loves trains. I also bring him magazines that I’ve accumulated over the years. Where do I get the equipment to give him? Well we all have excess that no longer meets our needs or level of detail requirements. My friends know of my endeavor to provide for this 7 year old and have joined the effort. Brass track and switches are not acceptable for our layouts nor are the old TYCO cars but to him they are pure gold.
So there you are. Don’t wait till you pass on rather pass it on while you can and enjoy putting a smile on some youngsters face.
That tidbit of info for us Non-U.K. folks was rather interesting. Thank you
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it mate. Regards Charlie
Thanks Charlie, greetigs from California. I always find your videos, time well spent.
That’s very kind of you to say so Galen, regards Charlie.
I like your apology for giggles, making a lash up of an explanation, is human, being perfect , may put an in experienced off, those of similar expertise will have a good natured laugh, I will be reassured, if do something similar, I will place it on thr alter of experience.. once again, thank you. Patrick
What a heartwarming comment Patrick, you’re too kind mate.
Regards Charlie.
Love the new update thanks for sharing.
You’re most welcome mate.
@@ChadwickModelRailway Thanks very much for replying to my comment. It's nice to see other people's work to get idea to improve my Channel. Take Care & Stay Safe.
Hi Charlie, certainly a something for everyone video, very enjoyable, thanks. Yes inflated prices are rebalancing who can afford to buy new. By example only today a Hornby shunters truck on offer at £14 stated RRP £20.99 yet 3 years ago on offer from the same UK company at £6. Somewhere folk are creaming off a lot particularly when tooling and development costs have been recovered. POM is a doddle with Gaugemaster/ MRC and as you say you have to be careful ensuring you know what you are doing, practise first! All the best Stephen
Great comment Stephen. POM, once mastered is a godsend.
Dreadful pricing seems here to stay!
Regards Charlie
Good idea on the computer transformers. Needing to supply power to some lighting for city.
Perhaps a 3 volt transformer for LEDs.
Just a quick thank you for your tips and help I have found invaluable in my perhaps last major build in my 21 x 12 garage a dream of a four lane .main line realised. Retired and having grandchildren I hope to pass the bug onto my grandchildren we are building it together like I did with there parents lol. I have seen so much in my 60+ plus years and debating on a switch to DCC, computers I like but I also have a few engines from my younger days that wont convert. I look forward to your next video it is a highlight of the week and thank you once again for all the tips, passion and ideas.
I’m so pleased that you enjoy the channel and there will be another tonight. 😃
Hi Charlie.
On the subject of programming tracks, why not use the front track of your fiddle yard as dual purpose. You just need to fully isolate it, run the train in, throw a switch to disconnect it from the rest of the layout, and program away. Throw the switch and drive out. Repeat as necessary until satisfied with the CV settings.
Regarding stopping the trains at the right places, have you considered using ABC (asymmetric braking control). All ZIMO decoders have it fitted as standard and it works brilliantly.
Regards, Chris
An excellent point Christopher, regarding the programming track. However, with decoders, I’m strictly an ESU guy. It’s too late to change, regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie , Thanks for advising us all on how the yellow and red stripes on the tops of the british rail passengers cars. Im 54 and learn somethin new every day thanks to guys like you. Thanks heeps.
Cheers from John in Australia.
Every day is a school day John. Regards Charlie
Charlie thank you so much for the CV sheets link. I haven't gotten into changing CV's as of yet but I now have a cheet sheet to help.
Keep having fun, Chris
You’re most welcome Chris.
Morning Charlie. Hope you’re ok 👍🏻 Very interesting video with lots of useful content including a good chuckle in the middle 🤣
Glad you enjoyed it Stevie. Regards Charlie
Hi, I've watched nearly all your videos and have dipped in and out of model railways. I want to say thank you for your content it is great. You are right the cost of this hobby now compared to 10 years ago is prohibitive to some people including myself. I look at prices of locos and think I could buy a car for that.
Totally agree with you James B and to buy into this hobby now costs more than mortgage payments 🤔
I must confess I do find these prices not astounding but crippling. Regards Charlie
James, you can always do a little shelf shunting layout and use a lot of second hand stock and kits. Many of my wagons are £4 from the bargain bin at Ron Lines in Southampton.
Agreed. And having recently gone from working husband/unemployed wife to unemployed husband/working wife, I feel the pain even worse. But:
eBay - I have bought Tangent & Broadway Limited rolling stock new from hobby shops or the manufacturers previously. Gorgeous detail. But I also have bought plenty of Bowser, Trainline & RTR used on eBay for half the cost of new. Though it takes more attention and patience to get good stuff, everything I bought was new-in-box or literally pristine used. I make sure the cars have knuckle couplers (works for now) and I don't buy if the seller doesn't show all six sides of a car (unless I've bought from them several times before and they accept returns). eBay is a lot more strict than many think. I've made many dozen purchases and not been scammed.
I'm doing the same for scenery, electronics, and structure models. The only "mandatory buy new" for me are locomotives and DCC systems (or use DCC++).
Buy out-of-production (eBay or hobby stores). They're not as beautifully detailed with the most bells & whistles as the most recent models, but it's better than not participating!
@@frankhellman6879 Hope the work situation sorts itself out soon for you Frank 🙂
and like the caution comment regarding online sellers regarding photos etc 👍
Thanks for the update Charlie. Really enjoyed seeing how its come along since the autumn. I have to agree about the price increase it's really going to test the hobby if you ask me. Hornby making a class 47 in GWR livery is a bit cheeky too. Ive met a chap down my local market who has a shop there and is able to get items second hand at good prices so ive adapted and quite enjoy the "bargain hunt". Also thanks for the info on the yellow strip for the first class coach. Never knew that. Sadly i cannot have long trains because of layout size but maybe one day. Thanks for the video look forward to next time.
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed my little update, regards Charlie
another great show thanks
You’re most welcome James, regards Charlie
Another great video. Your videos and work have inspired me to do a lot more with my layout cheers.
That’s great news, and hopefully you’re a Subscriber too. Regards Charlie
To Charlie. I'm relatively new to your channel, but it's been a pleasure to watch your layout develop during my binge watching to catch up.
I am a good miniature model painter and bringing my skills to the train hobby is seamless. Wish I lived closer, It would be a privilege to help with your scenery.
It’s great to have you on-board David, if you live closer I would welcome you with a nice cup of tea. Regards Charlie
Wow l am just coming back to the mimature railway world after 30 years now that lam retired. I really wish to thank you for your videos l am really lam learning so much please please keep them coming many thanks from me(Richard) .
It’s great to have you on-board Richard. Regards Charlie
Just to complicate matters, a red stripe at cantrail level doesn't just mean catering, it can also mean restricted seating. On the Southern Region some of the older EPB units were built with non corridor full length compartments at one end of some coaches. In the eighties and early nineties those units still in service that had them, had a red stripe painted above the compartments. It meant that the compartments were restricted to use by groups of people travelling together only, outside of peak time. It was intended as a precaution against solo travellers being assaulted/mugged during quiet periods.
What an interesting comment Paul, thank you very much. Regards Charlie
Thanks Charlie another great Video.
You’re most welcome Peter.
Brilliant absolutely brilliant, I definitely agree with your comments over the price and that Hornby and other companies have put on our hobby , I have had many (warm) discussions with Hornby representatives over this whenever they ask for feedback - anyway we loved your latest offering please keep them coming and stay safe 👍
Thanks Andy, I’m with you on this one Hornby seems to be coming an elitist middle-class club!
@@ChadwickModelRailway I do think it very sad because they always advertised there train sets as a family event small boys playing with there farther around a train set and for me and many more it was just like that and so the interest grew but now pricing has just destroyed that and put our hobby in danger of coming extinct , anyway take care and stay safe Charlie 👍
Well done charlie good show ! John from Chichester
So pleased that you enjoyed it John.
thanks again charlie. i love seeing your layout. fond memories of the viaduct,
Thanks Kevin, it’s great to have you on board mate
Hi Charlie I have an old computer power unit I have used for my model bus layout, it had 3.3 volt good for LED,s 5 volt and of course 12 volt output. There are a lot of good TH-cam videos showing how to convert one I have used screw terminals in blocks for each voltage on a large PCB board and mounted it alongside the power unit. As always a great video of yours and I also follow McKinley Railway and I blown away with how they have managed to overcome all different problems.
An interesting point Steve, regarding the various electrical supplies. Regards Charlie
HI Charlie, Thanks for the update - I too had the same issue with the Pullman. However in my fiddle yard I have have a line, full length, that is isolated to become the programming track. Saves removing the locos make it easier to connect things together whilst setting up. David.
Thanks David, I have a future siding in mind
Great video Charlie. The chart is a great help to find what we need at a specific time. Look forward to the next video.
I’m so pleased that you found it useful Glen. Regards Charlie
As some one who works trackside, Carl is quite right in the changes in the colour of the ballast of ten over very short distances and these colour differences are across the network. great video charlie, thank you.
I’d appreciate any photos you might have of such examples Philip.
whats your email address please and i will send you some ballast photos, regards philip
Hi Phillip, it’s
chadwickmodelrailway @ gmail . com
Regards Charlie.
You can see it as a passenger too, especially on some more rural lines where there are fewer tunnels. You can see the track ballast in parts looks a lighter grey, sometimes almost a black. Unless you think about it, you'd swear it was all the same, but if you watch out for it, you can see all the colour variations
That Intercity was an absolute steal, well done Sir. Hornby really are taking the wotsit these days. I've shelved my main project as it's not going to happen anytime soon, we simply haven't the room. I've recently got a 43 dummy car and two carriages for a song with a view to making a diorama of a grimy inner city/suburban late 70s to mid 80s locale. Apart from anything else, it'll be good practice for my various, laughably called modelling skills.
Good for you robot monkey.
We all need to knuckle down and do a bit more modelling. Regards Charlie
Such smooth running. You can really see the benefit of all that nice track work.
Thanks Greg, you’re too kind mate.
FC at London end- not so much the less distance to walk but it is closer to the Tube so can be first through the gates. The rest have to queue and wait for the crowds to ease.
Privilege has its privileges!
Excellent update Charlie, always enjoy your videos. Thanks for the additional discussion on the electrical supplies, very helpful.
Thanks Jeffrey, I’m so pleased that you find the channel interesting mate. Regards Charlie
Thanks again for sharing this update - always a pleasure to see and learn from the progress you make (still in awe of the electrical skill on show!).
It’s great to have you onboard Alex.
More interesting stuff; I'm tempted to say "what's Ballast?" as I'm still struggling to get there. The spreadsheet of videos was very necessary. I was about to ask about such a thing. When you jump into the videos new after this time it is a little mind blowing and very easy to forget which one contained what and a long job flicking back through them all to find the bit you were interested in or follow them in sequence on a topic.
I’m so pleased that you have found the spreadsheet useful David.
The pics and videos u shown in gives so much memories from Thomas and friends 😍😌😌 love ur videos 🙏🏻
Thanks PJ, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it.
Thanks Charlie, great update!
Thanks Warren, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it mate
Hi Charlie, cant wade through all the comments and you may be aware but, I have a Ramsey's 9th edition but not aware of anything later...... love your video's keep it up!
Thanks Mark, yes someone else mentioned there was a ninth edition.
After that it goes online which is somewhat disappointing.
Regards Charlie
Aaah great something to look forward to when I get back home!!!
Let’s just hope that lives up to your expectations David.
Regards Charlie
Hi, you have touched on in the beginning off the video that you have no clue how young people would not be very assessable to the hobby as the prices go up. As a “young” individual that is into the hobby, I can tell you that is not the main problem. For me at least the prices are expensive but doable (I do mostly buy second hand). But the main thing what it makes it so hard to go into the hobby is the lack of information for people that don’t already have contacts within the hobby or the time to go to every show or fair. If I can even find when they are taking place, because that information is also not thrown about (I have the feeling everything is very old school done, even some suppliers don't even display somewhere what kind of functions a model has). It’s just very frustrating sometimes, because I still study and work on the side, I don’t have a of time in the week to work on it. Maybe only a few hours, and then to spend those few hours just searching for something stupid. While I just want to glue a factory together or do some terrain work. I also want to say with that, your videos help a lot. Even though here in the Netherlands things are mostly different, at least it gives some information in what direction to look.
I take your point regarding information. Here in the UK, all the relevant shows are always listed in our magazines.
Stay safe mate, regards Charlie
Thank-you for the excellent update. Lots to see and your explanations are as clear as always. The area ‘in front’ of the tracks at Paddington Station is still called ‘The Lawn’ as I understand it was once…a ‘lawn’. Great to see more modifications of the older rolling stock, this being just like the real thing being overhauled. Regards.
I’m so pleased that you found it interesting. Regards Charlie.
Hi Charlie nice video and thanks for sharing the very easy programming on the main track at the end. Like you I've always worried about trying to program on the main even though digitrax says you can. Now I've watched you and seen how easy it is then I'll be giving it a go so again thanks for sharing that. Atb Andy
I’m so pleased that you found it useful Andy. Regards Charlie
Totally agree about the effect of the enormous price rises on the hobbies ability to attract youngsters into the hobby. I think that hornby and Bachmann are shooting themselves in the foot. Keep up the good work mate
Yes economics of the hobby is becoming rather sad. Regards Charlie
Amazing as always Charlie!
Thanks Scott, you’re too kind mate.
Regards Charlie
When will your next video be? I hope it’s soon.
On Friday hopefully, regards Charlie
Well done Charlie great video, the worst part about collecting all the stuff is you can never find it when you go to use it.
Regards
David
Very true David, regards Charlie
Great video as always. For my layout I use one of my industrial sidings for my programming. After the turn out I have both rails insulated. The power for this siding is feed through a toggle switch. I believe it is called a a double pull double throw. As I move the toggle switch from left to right it goes from on to off to on again. On one side I have main power coming in and on the other I have the program power coming in. So depending on what side the toggle is one decides what power is sent to the track. During normal time the toggle is thrown to the main power and I use the siding to switch cars in and out of the industry. If I need to program anything I drive the train on using main power and then switch to program power. My siding is long enough to hold more then my longest piece of equipment that would need programming.
Thanks Kyle, I have a suitable siding in mind as part of my future build.
Superb video. So glad someone has done a spreadsheet of all sessions from Chadwick. Recently thought this would be helpful, and lo and behold someone does! Haven’t been brave enough to do POM on my Lenz system, but a programming track works for me. No long trains to programme - 3 car dmu just fits
Thanks GH, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it.
Thanks Charlie, good content as always, liked the laughter - brighten a sad day. Keep up the good work, looking forward to the next trilling episode. William
Thanks William, I’m so pleased that it made your day a little more enjoyable. Regards Charlie
Another great contribution Charlie I especially liked the part about programming on the main we all learn a bit more every day. Regards Alan M
Every day is a school day Alan! Regards Charlie
Hi Charlie, in Yate where I live trains from Bristol travel on the up line to Birmingham and vice versa, I believe this was because it was formerly the Midland Railway and hence was centred there rather than London.
An interesting point DH, regards Charlie
That was a good Informative video thanks for your time I like the way you Explain things and your Sense of humour keep up the good work and stay safe
Thanks Michael I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it and found it somewhat amusing. Regards Charlie
hi Charlie,
I'm using MeanWell HDR-60-15 type power supplies on a din rail with an independant breaker each
A good choice, I do like the quality of MeanWell.
Awesome how to Charlie!!! Thanks for sharing this video. Cheers Onno.
Any time Onno.
Great update Charlie love watching your videos 👍
Thanks Jeff, regards Charlie
Love the videos. I live in Atlanta and struggle getting hold of UK outline stock at decent prices. Eye watering prices from the big two really put a kink-in-the-think but I’m finding ways to adapt even spilt chassis locos and ancient models to dcc. THAT challenges has been fun so perhaps the staggering prices have woken up a few ideas of actual modeling again. Our hobby has always been about cardboard, plaster and glue, in a way the fine models that are now unattainable jsut gets us back to our roots. Keep up the good work.
An excellent comment mate. I could not agree more, it’s not all about nice new shiny locos. Regards Charlie
Same in Australia.
Pruces are outrageous.
I can't see new blood entering the hobby.
Another annoying thing are the entrepreneurial type that buys up a large number of popular rolling stock, and then price gouges on Ebay and other selling mediums.
Excellent video Charlie
Thanks Rocker, regards Charlie
Enjoyable as always Charlie. Met someone today at Model Rail Scotland who served with you in the navy! Cheers Euan
Gosh Euan, he must have a good memory. Regards Charlie
Great update Charlie, fascinating segment on ballasting which is my own current "challenge"
Fortunately, my Digitrax Zephyr has a menu item for programming on operating tracks, so it was not hard to find and use. It is a good way to modify CVs where one can immediately see the result, such as momentum (as you demonstrated) and braking, plus light/lamp operations. Thanks as usual, Charlie, for an informative video. Cheers from Wisconsin!
Thanks Andrew, I’m so pleased that you found the video interesting mate.
Thanks Charlie great update.. thanks for sharing and keep up the great work..Lance
You’re most welcome Lance.
Thanks so much for the informative, thoughtful and down to earth videos Charlie. I am looking to get into the hobby with an N gauge layout. Currently in "negotiations" with my wife for a spot in the house, unfortunately it looks like the garage will be the spot!
In the course of my work with off shore suppliers, I can tell you the cost of mechanical and electrical parts as well as tooling for plastic and die cast parts have sky rocketed over the past 2 years. Shipping and lead times have also increased at an astonishing rate. I thought I was going to get lucky having the Bachmann factory so close, but with all those factors in mind, "OUT OF STOCK" is the normal.
Just wanted to let you know that I have learned a bunch from your videos and if I can help with a 3D model of an idea you may have to make life easier or something unique, please do not hesitate.
Thanks Tim for your very kind offer.
Good luck with your project, regards Charlie.
Thanks for the interesting video Charlie. The plugs you refer to are DC 2.1x5.5x14
DC POWER PLUG, FOR 2.1mm PIN, TOTAL LENGTH 30MM.
They are the same as the plug on, e.g., a Digitrax PS14 and fit into everything Digitrax. I.E., UP5, PR4, DS64, DS74, DS78V, LNWI, UR90, UR92, UR93, SE8C, etc.
A matching socket is PLUG DC-PWR 2.0x09 OVAL P/MNT PANEL MOUNT DC-POWER PLUG, 2MM PIN, OVAL FLANGE, SOLDER. MATES WITH 2.1mm
The socket may be useful to plug something like a PS14 (or larger capacity equivalent) into a box, where the socket connects to a terminal block, which is then used for multiple outputs to 2.1mm plugs for your various devices as above. A PS14 can power up to 10 UP5s, but only 1 DS64. Hope this is useful.
Great info Brian, much appreciated. Regards Charlie
Hi Charlie, another interesting update and good to see the fiddle yard progressing well along with the other mini projects. Agree with Carl’s observations and one additional comment … newer ballast is often found along ballast shoulders. This is usually to top-up any low ballast shoulders in order to provide additional weight to increase lateral resistance of the sleepers to prevent track quality misalignments, also along CWR routes (continually welded rail) to reduce the possibility of a track buckle during hot weather. Hence stone drops are often booked during spring to top-up the ballast shoulders prior to hot weather arriving during late spring/early summer … and this often can be naturally different colour ballast (as Carl mentioned, could be sourced from a different quarry), also be less aged/dirty. The clip approx 6:50 appears to show newer stone dropped along the ballast shoulders. Kinds regards, Mark 👍
An excellent comment Mark, and it’s very much appreciated. Regards Charlie
Another extremely well put together and informative video Charlie. Can I just make a general observation and not just model railway related. Please consider wearing "knee protectors" when kneeling on hard surfaces. As someone of a similar age and who has suffered the agony of 'Bursitis" (a hard and painful lump on the front of the kneecap) on both knees due to spending too much time doing what you were doing, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. If you do consider getting some don't fall into the trap of buying cheap foam ones from B&Q. For around £20 you can buy some very good plastic shell type ones with Gell inserts that make kneeling extremely comfortable. Best £20 I ever spent! Best wishes.
An excellent comment Dave,, with some great advice. I have actually got a pair but haven’t used them since I laid the wooden clip lock floor.Clearly, I need to dig them out mate. Regards Charlie
I would say it's a good idea too. I'm only in my 20s but kneeling on hard surfaces most of my life has knackered up my knees. Very painful.
Hi Charlie
Great video as usual.
With reference to the proposed approach to the helix, given you run longer rolling stock, you may think about approaching the helix at a tangent , the S may cause a problem.
Take care , I look forward to you next video.
Michael from Australia
An excellent point Michael, and one that I have been thinking about. Regards Charlie
Hi Charlie always interesting and entertaining, thought back to my Navy days and my favourite Cornish pasty vender Penzance, a butcher in town lovely. Anyway trains from Paddington on Platform 2 ,1st always a 800yd hike to station and covered exit. Always a good laugh with the goffers during storm season, sat with a stewed cup of tea Eccles cake for afters and a lovely hot pasty with hp brown sauce, watching the toffs getting soaked. I had hornby Class 50s on my list but £45 more expensive with a black roof as well not good for 1986/7 modelling. So accurascale class 37 and the new class 31 on my new list all the best Richard
A great comment Richard.I’m also considering the class 31 too.
Incidentally, my class 37 is also on order. Regards Charlie
With costs rising, quality not quantity is going to have to be my bye word. Working with those I have and fitted lights, crew, weathering ect! Then only buying the absolute necessary and what I can afford!
Strikes me that companies will only charge what they feel they can get away with? If items don’t sell they will cut the cost. Maybe the next model produced will be less detailed, to keep the cost down?
Superb video as ever, thanks for sharing!👏👏👏
An excellent comment mate. Perhaps we need to sell off some of our less loved stock, to maintain the remainder and an excellent standard.
Thank you for another enjoyable video, I do look forward to Thursday every two weeks to see what you have in store for us. After watching an earlier video I changed all my wiring over to the connector blocks and it made things a lot easier.
I couldn’t agree more Simon, those terminal blocks are brilliant. Regards Charlie
Finally, someone I want to listen too and learn from……..whoopee !
You’re too kind SD. Regards Charlie.
Charlie, great video as always. I am just getting into DCC, and recently had a TCS decoder fitted to one of my locos. It has a function that might do the job for your Pullman consist. Button 7 is a brake function. I discovered this by accident, not having read through the paperwork, like I should have done. I set the speed to zero and the loco just kept going. I discovered that button seven on this decoder applies 20% braking with each button press, gradually slowing the loco down, 5 presses to stop completely (all adjustable through the CV), so you end up applying a braking sequence just like a real train. Awesome, I thought. Might be useful for your Pullman.
I take your point Clive, however it is so difficult when you have different decoders fitted to different locomotives. Regards Charlie
Another entertaining video Charlie. I like seeing the scenery construction, but its nice to see trains running, not so much into the technical stuff, but still find all your video`s great.
Thanks Les, it’s great to have you onboard.
Hi Charlie another great video just like to pick you up on the positioning of the first class coaches yes us oldies can get straight on to the first class at the London terminals but rember when I get to Norwich from London I have to walk 10 coaches to the exit gate and vice versa when you go to London keep up the great work look forward every fortnight to the next video Cheers Mike
A fair point Mike but my comment was somewhat tongue in cheek.
@@ChadwickModelRailway yes I took it as tongue in cheek Charlie 👍
I have a digikeijs Dr5000 - that unit has a programming track output which you can connect to a section of track ( Block) on you layout and write to the loco you want to change settings on only. when not in programming mode that section (block) reverts back to being a normal part of your layout.
Great comment David, I’m sure that my Digitrax controller does the same.
Good evening Charlie,
I have been rewatching a lot of your videos on the plans and design of Chadwick, and one part that I would love to know more about was from video 113, you had a wheel cleaning section of track in the fiddle yard, could you please go into a little more detail on this as I have struggled to find anything useful on the internet or TH-cam,
Very much appreciate your amazing videos and the inspiration you are to myself and I’m sure so many others!
Thank you
James
Stick with me James, I have an electrical wheel cleaning device on order.
Nice video Charlie, I agree on the ESU Lokpilot's. Last Year after having issues with with Hornby and Zen decoders, I decided to try them and I have to say I'm sold. I will never use anything other than ESU now. They are super smooth and run over anything amd quite easy to program.
I couldn’t agree more Auxie.
Regards Charlie.
Still the best channel on TH-cam, always a pleasure watching your contents!
You’re too kind Kevin. Regards Charlie.
Would you believe that i've been struggling for years to work out how to program on the main with my DCS51. However I made the silly mistake to put the cheaper Hornby decoders in most of my loco's! Might be time for some ESU lokpilots!
Many thanks as always Charlie, you've taught me something new yet again!
That’s great news Kodi. We all learn together in this community.
If, you do go down the ESU route, consider investing in a Lokprogrammer.
Just wanted to say thanks for the videos, Charlie. Been watching quite a few, always enjoy and learn a lot. You're a great teacher. If you ever get to the States, I'd like to buy you (and the missus, if there is one) a beer. Or several.
That’s very kind of you to say so. Sadly you will have to keep the beer in the fridge for awhile, but who knows. Regards Charlie
Great video, Charlie.
Interesting about Program on Main (POM), that shows planning is useful.
Three options; the one you show (POM) is a great option, but given that there will be a lot of other decoders attached to the same lines.
2nd option: Some controllers have the option of a section of track being used for either programming track or main track, so could be a long station platform to cope with your longest train.
3rd option is to have a section of track that you can switch across to be the programming track or main track (ie a switch outside the controller). As with the selectable track, this can be a long section (platform or siding) that can cope with the longest train you plan to run (and might be longer than your longest platform, if the loco does not need to be “supported” at the platform.
Certainly, including a section of track as part of the layout that you can get the train onto without “hand of God” is increasingly important, with many trains having the specialist delicate couplings, (and, of course, any custom wiring you may have that you would rather not have to disconnect), to pass decoder signals up and down the train without each source of lights having to have a decoder and track connection.
Wonderful info!
An excellent comment as usual Tom. I have in mind a nice long track which is part of my future build, which will become my designated programming track.
Regards Charlie
Top job Charlie. Enjoy your very informative vlogs. Keep up the excellent work.
Thanks Michael, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it.
I agree with you on the price of things in the hobby. I think there is a good value for the money that is spent with all the details that are put into a model amd if you where to compare the store bought model that is all decked out and a model that you yourself decked out the cost would be similar. What I don't see any more is the option to buy the basic model and then over time add the details. Sure I may spend the same in the end but I can't afford top shelf right from the store. Bits and pieces here and there is much more friendly on the wallet.
Great comment Kyle, but even the secondhand prices seem to be going up. Regards Charlie
Enjoyable update Charlie. Right with you about the costs of mew locos and rolling stock. I enjoy keeping old locos including Hornby Dublo and Triang going partly because I enjoy seeing the old girls still going and because they are treasured childhood memories too. Generally I buy used locos carefully and have got some excellent models that whilst 20 years old have great detail, run well and are relatively easy to service. £80 second-hand or £200 new…? If I could pay £200 I suspect it would still be keeping the £80 old ‘un going!
Exactly my attitude too John. Regards Charlie
Nice one again Charlie ,re the programming on track scenario with the Gaugemaster Prodigy, when you enter ` program on track` you have to enter the loco address, you are then addressing just that loco i have done this many times and never had a issue with interfering any other locos..you got some good bargains there ..
Thanks Anthony, and I’m so pleased that you found it interesting mate. Regards Charlie
Not just me then shocked by the recent price increase especially by Hornby, However I just had to purchase the Duchess of Montrose set even though I will not use the Hornby track. The Duchess loco was my 1st ever train set in 1964 in Hornby Dublo 3 rail , so it’s in remberance . Great videos Charlie
Good for you, we should not lose our nostalgic past. Regards Charlie
Charlie: I don't know what the Hornby prices used to be (my own ignorance showing here), but the current prices (example, Class 56 loco) are absolutely outrageous! 217 Pounds just for the loco!?!?!? Who but for the very affluent of families are going to be able to afford to buy these for their children!? Sad.... as they are seemingly "writing their own corporate death certificate" by pricing themselves out of the market for ANY young newcomers.
You are dead right Kevin. Their pricing structure seems to be aimed at what we can afford not what the model is the worst. Regards Charlie
Charlie, thank you for the update. Lots of really good information, and food for lots of thoughts.
The ballasting information was fascinating. But, it makes sense, that the ballast would be sourced appropriate to where the nearest depot was, and on the up or the down. I look forward to your videos, so can't wait for the next one in 2 weeks.
Cheers, and stay safe. Michael
What a heartwarming comment Michael.
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the video mate, regards Charlie
Hi Charlie, thank you for your very informative session. It is always a pleasure to visit Chadwick Model Railway, and see your progress. I think your recent acquisitions will look brilliant on the tracks. I expect quite a few people will be coming through the station down from London, on the Inter City 125. I dare say you could also recommend the Digi Track Manual for bed time reading.
I will turn down your suggestion for bedtime reading, it will keep me awake all night!
Hi Charlie, great video as always - love seeing that you've got a new video up and the kettle goes on straight away for a cuppa while watching. The DC power connectors you mention at 18:58 are most likely 2.1mm size, I think this refers to the size of the pin inside but I haven't got anything small enough to measure for sure. Cheers from down under, Kevin
Thanks Kevin, I’m unsure of their measurements too. Regards Charlie
Thanks for another interesting and entertaining video. Looking forward to the next one👍🏻
Thanks Stephen, you’re too kind mate.
01:00
Some time ago I commented on the positioning of the Signal Box for this area.
IMHO, this is the *perfect* place for it. IRL you would be able to see the Station area, the Junction, the 'Branch Line' down to the helix and further out towards/across the Viaduct.
Of course, it would require a Box with 360° views as opposed to that little 'cabin' type one . . . .
Are useful comment mate, thanks very much, regards Charlie
As mentioned , up and down lines can change on a trains journey, for instance a train running from Cardiff will approach Shrewsbury in the up direction and depart toward Crewe in the down direction, having not actually changed direction , simple really…..
Yes, completely logical!
Definitely ‘White’moor Charlie.👍🏻 Thanks for another excellent video.🙂
Got it Simon, many thanks.
Nice vlog Charlie didn’t confuse me much 😂😂😂😂❤️
Nice to hear that you’re opening up to new ideas Robert. Regards Charlie
Hi Charlie, I've got "Ramsay's" 9th edition but I think that was the last one, published in 2015,
I'd love a newer version too Jim.
Nice one Charlie, looking forward to seeing some of that 'new' freight stock on the move.
Me too James. I do fancy making a freight train video. Regards Charlie.
@@ChadwickModelRailway Would really like a video that's mainly lots of running trains!
Same thing in Ireland, for loco hauled trains the first is always at the Dublin end of the train. Though funnily enough at the terminus stations for loco hauls from Dublin, Cork and Belfast, the first class is the furthest from the exit. Though it's also the closest to the luggage compartment.
Yes the configurations all rather Baz are in some cases. Regards Charlie
Hi Charlie when i was at a local model raill club i was told that where concrete sleeper track joins wooden rail points i was the first 6 or so sleepers were wooden
Then that’s an interesting point Kevin, and one worth checking out. Regards Charlie
All sorts of interesting stuff!
Thanks Mark, Regards Charlie
Great Videos Charlie
Thanks mate, regards Charlie
Hi Charlie
I’ve not been able to purchase items from the UK since Covid started. Postage has gone astronomical! I had purchased a Duchess (2nd hand) off eBay in Australia. It needs smoke deflectors and 2 buffers. Found them in the UK at Peters Spares, for about £11. However, the postage cost was in the region of £25!!! International postage has gone completely nuts. I was told it was because of the lack of international flights during the on/off lockdown’s. As always, great video
Cheers
Steve
Shocking postage rates mate.
Regards Charlie
16:51 Hi Charlie: just a friendly "point of order"(Blimey, now I'm impersonating the House Speaker🙄). Anyway, this yellow stripe denoting the 1st class coaches/cars is not a.just "here in UK" story but an International regulation to all members of the UIC ("Union Internationale des Chemins de fer" - International Railways Union). As such all 1st class passenger cars (or sections of cars/compartments) have to exhibit this yellow marking. Red being suggested for dining/restaurant/buffet cars. As for the other classes (2nd and/or 3rd depending on the countries and/or companies, the choice is left between green, blue or no marking at all. Needless to say those are no hard rulings, regulations, laws or norms like those applied to vital safety components like gauge, coupling or breaking systems.
Great info Jean, much appreciated.