7 GREAT TIPS for RAILWAY MODELLERS at Chadwick Model Railway | 209.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ก.ค. 2024
- Cost, System Choice, Build Location, Track Plans etc. Some Great Tips for Railway Modellers here at Chadwick Model Railway 209.
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I should have watched this video 8 years ago. I have made most of the mistakes you mention - plus a few of my own. I am one of those modellers who prefers nostalgia to authenticity and have designed my layout to allow a wide variety of trains to be run based broadly on the 15 years after WW2 (allowing steam and early diesels) and a west country location allowing Southern and Western region trains as well as holiday and goods trains from the Midlands and North. However, I have concluded that my main motivation is actually meeting and mastering a challenge. I suspect that I am not alone in this. Each time I get the layout working reliably well, I think of one more extension/complication/improvement that I can add. I am 20 years older than Charlie and fully expect to abandon the railway eventually with one last challenge still to be met. Each to his own.
I think you’re mistaken, Graham.
I should’ve made the video eight years ago! Regards, Charlie
“Turning decent timber into kindling “ Priceless Charlie! Yup, I’ve done that 🤐
All in the art of modelling! Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
What was really lovely, Charlie, was when you said "Railway Station" rather than 'Train Station'. Oh to turn the clocks back when EVERYONE said 'Railway Station'. ;-) Kite
Gosh Kite, I never really thought about that. Regards, Charlie
Great video, I was laughing at “it’s dcc or nothing “ then “this dcc system has given me grief” 😂
Apparently, it’s all part of the fun! Regards, Charlie
Absolutely spot on Charlie. We have to remember that building a model railway is a never ending learning experience. Non of us get it right first time round and even when we think it’s finished there is always that little outstanding thing to sort out.
A great comment CBW. If we can get 80% finished, the rest is luxury. Regards, Charlie
I started collecting my much loved Triang Hornby collection when I was a teenager in the 1970's. Now I am 66, and retired, as you rightly said, I dare not think of the huge cost to convert to DCC. I can see the added enjoyment of controlling individual loco's on the same track, but I can honestly say I am very happy with DC. Due to the large variety of steam / diesels and coaching stock, I can run my collection as a Heritage Line, so no need for me to stick to any particular era. Thanks for your superb videos, Charlie, your layout is absolutely fantastic. I also loved your phrase " a happy wife, is a happy life".
Thanks RA, I’m so pleased that you enjoy the channel.
Charlie, you are always practical and talk so much common sense. Yours is my favourite channel on model railways..
Thanks Mark, you’re too kind.
Charlie, everything you said is spot on from an engineering perspective - great video! I volunteer in a high school theater scene shop where we have 18 rules the students have to follow: 1) "Don't die. Too much paperwork." 2) "Anything worth doing, is worth doing right."
and 3) "Done is Good." (for when we run out of time on the schedule before the show rehearsals have to start). Our rule number 3 is just another way of stating your "Perfect is the enemy of Good." Every modeller should have to watch this video to get a practical sense of the potential pitfalls and decisions they will have to make.
Thanks Tron, I’m so pleased that you found the video interesting. I must confess it’s one of my most treasured productions. Regards, Charlie.
Thanks Charlie. I’m just building my first layout in a shed (recently retired) and your advice is much appreciated as usual. I’m going DC due to some of my existing gear plus I prefer dials and levers rather than the witchcraft of (to me) electronics/DCC. Love the channel-keep it up.
I was thinking the same after my 25 year hiatus, but now that I have more modern gear than my old gear, I decided to sell off my duplicate old gear and convert them to newer couplers, and DCC control. Cheers!
Many thanks for your comments gentlemen. Good luck with your projects and have a great Christmas. Regards, Charlie
As someone yet to start a build this is terrific advice Charlie. Learning from mistakes that someone else has already made should save me time and money. I can use that to make some new mistakes of my own. Many thanks for sharing, it's a pleasure to watch the Chadwick Chronicles unfold.
Thanks Anthony, that’s really kind of you to say so. Regards, Charlie
Blimey Charlie, this is you reaching out from the video and giving me a slap! Every modeler and potential modeler should watch this. Very profound.
Thanks beetle fan, however, I thought a slap would be a bit harsh. As long as you have learnt your lesson. Regards, Charlie
@@ChadwickModelRailway It's okay; I deserved it! I'll buy you a cuppa next week. See you there.
A lot of wisdom here. I fell foul of (at least) one of the mistakes outed here and now I sometimes feel more of a collector than a modeller!
Hopefully, they’re not still in their boxes! Regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie, one time I had my daughter with me to my trainshop. When she saw what I had to pay she looked at me like: are you kidding me?! I told her: just don't mention it to mom, and we'll be fine 😂😂😂😂. Great video, thanks! Regards, Paul
You’re clearly walking a tightrope Paul. Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
@@ChadwickModelRailway Your story was just so recognizable, I had to laugh! Merry Christmas to you too!! Paul
Excellent as always charlie.
For my second layout I settled on an O gauge branchline loop layout in my loft (only space i have) with a terminus implementing the lessons I learnt from my first layout.
Main lessons were
1. Build modular. It broke my heart to rip the last one up. At least it can be moved/sold etc if circumstances change
2. Less can be more. I fond too much rolling stock can get overwhelming so a GWR branchline with limited but high quality rolling stock suits my mindset.
Many thanks, Ed, for looking into your world. Regards, Charlie
I am, metaphorically speaking, right at ground zero with respect to model railroading. I haven't had a train set of my own since I was about five years of age back in the mid 1960's, and that amounted to a round track with an old steam engine that puffed smoke as it went around the track (I can't recall if it required water being put into the engine or if it used some sort of pellet, or tablet -my dad would have looked after that end of it at that point). We did a lot of moving back then, and somewhere along the way the train set was one of the things that didn't move with us.
There wouldn't be another train set in the house until my brother got a Tyco train set for Christmas in 1971. He then added to the train set himself over the next couple of years. While we still have some if not all of my brother's old set, it hasn't seen use in almost forty years. I almost had it up and running back in 2018 which interested my brother and my dad, but one key thing I wasn't able to find was the transformer and so the idea of reviving the old set got shunted aside. While our dad passed away in October 2019, my brother is still around, so a few months ago after a friend across the pond got back into the hobby, it prompted me to dust off the idea of setting up the old Tyco set once more.
While it's still possible that my brother's old transformer is still around the Clutter Cave in the basement, or in the Closet of No Return in our old room, I decided to look at getting a replacement transformer, but in doing so I was finding that for a few dollars more I'd be as well off getting another set. And so, that got me unexpectedly back into the hobby. That start amounted to me trying to do a temporary layout in our living room around the Christmas tree. Since then it's largely been a static layout due to other commitments and due to some of the old Tyco engines needing cleaning after so many years in storage. Luckily I bought a small secondary set that was fully operational (a DeWitt Clinton locomotive and set of carriage cars) so we did have something to be able to run over the Christmas (as well as a Jupiter steam engine and two HO scale streetcars that I've had for a few years (a detailed Witt, and not at all detailed PCC streetcar).
All that being said, I've been trying to work out a more permanent home for the track layout, with the potential for a bit of expansion and it looks like my old work room the basement where I used to do illustration work (The Shirley Temple of Doom) would provide the best space available in the house. It's the second largest room in the house and doesn't see much use these days. It looks like a cross between a toy shop and a small scale version of the warehouse at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark), so it comes down to organizing the space before I can start looking at a layout.
From watching this video it has given me a lot of common sense things to consider and some good food for thought before I get too deep into the hobby. The comment about the danger or committing to something that may require more time than one has allotted to oneself on this mortal coil made a lot of sense, and its something that I already am having to think about. I just turned 62 in October 2023 so, I have to consider matters of health as you mentioned. I think, based upon my finances and age and the space available to me (and the time available to me (I'm already heavily committed into doing historical research, illustrating and finding time to work on a stockpile of kits and other things) so I likely will go into model railroading in a very modest way. That could change, but your video has given me a lot to think about. I probably will also have a gander at some of your other videos.
Thanks Martin, for your very interesting comment. You clearly have taken my video to heart, and realise that it’s all in the planning. Good luck with your project build in 2024, Best wishes, regards, Charlie
Excellent, well-thought-out presentation,Charlie. This is so helpful as I am beginning layout construction after dreaming for decades. Thank you
Thanks, Nick , I’m so pleased that you found it useful. Regards, Charlie.
Very thought provoking! Your one new loco a year policy shows admirable discipline, Charlie! I must confess that in spite of having several examples of most of the loco classes I’m interested in, new loco announcements still fill me with the same excitement I felt as a boy pouring over that year’s Hornby catalogue 😊
I know exactly what you mean Pete. You can’t help but find that urge to buy the latest and greatest! We need therapy mate. Regards, Charlie
One new loco a year policy works fine I'm going to live to be over a hundred honest.
Does this include “buy it forward”? I’m going to live to more than a hundred, then!
Another fantastic video! If I might also add - invest in the RIGHT kind of lighting. Nothing will make a model railroad look worse - washing out colors, being uncomfortable - than putting in cheap lighting that ruins the appearance of all the work you put into your layout. Get the right temperature and also I highly recommend dimmers! It helps create lots of different moods and gives the appearance of dusk/dawn and night. The proper lights will add so much value and pleasure to your layout.
That’s an excellent suggestion M8581.
I would recommend 4000 K. Regards, Charlie
@@ChadwickModelRailway Absolutely, the 4000K is the best and readily available - you can put them in recessed can light fixtures, puck style lights, exposed strip lights, and many, many more.
Great timing & great tip, as my next move is lighting. I was also considering dimmer switch but not all lights work with dimmer switch nowdays@@ChadwickModelRailway
I prefer a Warmer/incandescent type temperature it kind of mimics actual sunlight,
@@cotochris most LED are able to dim, just get a decent switch. The investment is worth it, they are only about $20
Another very honest video, I only wish I had seen this 40 years ago. Wasted way too much money and time on ridiculous setups. Have a great Xmas and a better NY, cheers Lindsay
Thanks Lindsey, but rest assured I have made these mistakes myself. Regards, Charlie.
A lot of sage advice Charlie, I can not fault any of it. Embellish it, yes I could! But, your quote "perfect is really the enemy of good" is bang on. I would like to add a little more to that by introducing the "Three Foot Rule"
Normally we view most things at a distance and in so doing we don't notice the very fine detail. I tell anyone who listens, 3 foot is a good viewing distance in our sizes, enough detail but not too much! By all means go in for a closer look but stand back to see the whole picture.
Excellent advice, Peter, and thank you very much. Regards, Charlie
I built my “final” layout from a track plan published by Atlas. It’s free standing which is a good thing because after getting it well under way we decided to move house. When the movers agent came to estimate the price for their services a concerned look crossed his face when he saw the trains. I ended up splitting the layout into two and thankfully it went back together in the present house. It’s turned out to be somewhat at variance from the published plan for several reasons. Not the least of which is that Peco switches are a different radius from Atlas and they don’t always play well together. However I have a unique railway now that doesn’t slavishly adhere to someone else’s concept and that’s fine. There are things that I would have done differently but I’m happy to putter around creating a world and learning new things as I go.
It’s reassuring to know that your layout is in satisfactory condition. Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
Well, I can proudly say that I have made most of those mistakes! My current problem is my fear of missing out on new Locos that get announced and have an 18 month waiting period, terrified that they’ll be awesome when they do come out, and I’ll miss out, I end up pre-ordering far more than I’ll ever need. I just try to remember that “egotism is the anaesthetic which nature gives us to deaden the pain of being a fool”.
What an excellent summary Dakdak.
Recognising our shortcomings is never easy. Regards Charlie
@@ChadwickModelRailway Recognition is easy - admitting them is the hard part! 🙂
"Perfect is the enemy of good". That's probably the best comment of the lot, Charlie.
Some thoughts:
1. Money spent on track is never wasted. Go for the best you can. Code 75 is more realisic, but if one has older stock (Tri-ang, Lima, etc.), then code 100 might be a better bet.
2. Baseboards. If building a modular layout to exhibit, then think about baseboard size - it might fit in the estate car you have now, for example, but what if you get a hatchback in the future? Also think about weight; the baseboard might be light enough to handle with the track laid, but when you've constructed the scenery and buildings, it might be unmanageable.
3. Don't make a model of a model. Sure, get inspiration from layouts you see, but do look at the real thing.
4. Try to achieve a sense of "place" on your model without having any rolling stock on the layout. Unless you are just modelling some generic location, think of the landscape where you've set the model - limestone country, sandstone, etc. Same with buildings - often regional differences in their style
5. Electrics. Don't discount DC out of hand. If you're modelling a small branch terminus or shunting yard, you might only have "one engine in steam", so no need for complex electronics just for the sake of it.
6. Ignore those grumpy old so-and-so's who might point out that a Warship would'n't be seen passing an HST in normal everyday service; just enjoy your modelling.
7. Have fun; it's only a hobby...
What an excellent comment, Peter. You’re so right, the diverse aspects of this wonderful hobby are endless. Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
You asked for feedback. Regarding track planning I use Anyrail and I’ve spent almost a year (a few minutes to an hour at a time) tweaking a track plan. Almost every time I look it. I find a way to improve it. Charlie all 7 of your points are wisdom all modelers should remember.
Thanks Rick, that’s very kind of you to say so. Regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie great video:
I can share a personal story which I hope will help anyone who feels they have done something stupid while building a model railway.
I am 25 now and I was 15 when I started volunteering with the model railway I am involved with.
One winter I was helping to lay some track and install the ballast. We put the track down and applied the ballast and glue. As we work in an old GWR goods shed (at Bishops Lydeard station on the WSR). The glue does not dry quickly takes a week to dry. I decided to put a fan heater on the base board aimed at the freshly laid ballast. I went to do something else and forgot about it. When I realised it was overheating it to the point where the sleepers were melting it was way to late. Safe to say I had to completely re do the whole thing. Lesson learnt. I think there is a element of learning as you go along with model railways. Hopefully not as extreme as my example.
I am happy to say I learnt that lesson well.
Would you consider doing a video where you read out the comments left by others as I am sure there will be plenty of helpful comments which people may find helpful.
Thanks
Matt
Thanks Matt, for revealing your well learned lesson. You make an excellent point about reading the comments, perhaps I should start to store some of the more interesting ones. Regards, Charlie
Matt, I've done pretty much the same thing but it was trying to help some Sculptamold to dry using a hot air gun. Had to replace two points and rebalast.
I started watching your early videos about the same time as I started building my layout . Still nowhere near finished but I would have given up years ago if I hadn't got your tips to fall back on. The main thing I've learnt is that it was wrong to glue track down at an early stage in my learning journey because it has been very difficult to put right my early mistakes. I have now become a excellent bodger but as I look round the boards, it's easy to spot my modelling skills getting better with time. However, what is only now occurring to me is that knowing what to do does not necessarily mean I can actually do it, so be prepared to accept that some parts of your model may never be perfect because you are not always capable of doing what others can, if that makes sense? Just don't expect too much.
I couldn’t agree more Peter. But as I said in the video, good enough is good enough. Regards, Charlie
Super introductory video for the prospective new modeller! Certainly challenged my own thought process for creating my first layout! Have to admit that I have bought locomotives, could not resist! 🤭
You’re not alone, mate, we all like shiny things. Regards, Charlie.
I think my journey into model railways is similar to many others. In my early years I had the train set, sometimes in the lounge but often in the bedroom. System 4 track and I even had a catenary. Other track was the series 3 and the old grey track from Tri-Ang on a temporary base board, nothing fixed down. Move on many years and I finally had space, I put together a series of modules marked with black paint, purchased track but never laid anything. Moving cities and getting married I negotiated the use of the second lounge as a railway room, I designed a layout based on a real location, laid track, tested it all, point motors all looking good until junior arrived and the railway room soon became the main lounge. The layout was cast into the garage for storage. In the meantime I joined the local MR club.
Junior grows up and I conceive the idea of building a simple layout with him in a weekend. Two problems hit me, one he was not that interested in helping, two, one of the beams had a bend in it I didn’t see until all the rolling stock rolled into one corner.
It was at this time I purchased a DCC train set, more on this later.
Moving house again, I got the layout working but kept changing my mind how to link across boards.
Moving again it all went into storage on its end, occasionally getting it out to try and get it finished. I even rebased it on thicker boards to solve some issues. Purchasing locos, rolling stock and buildings.
So far all these layouts were DC, but it was clear DCC was the way to go.
An option came up to buy some 2nd hand Australian outline, which I thought was only some locos but ended up a full 8’x4’ DCC layout. I got 7 locos and rolling stock, DCC system and a layout for less than the price of one of the locos, I couldn’t say no.
I now had 2 unfinished layouts, 1 finished but limited layout and a still boxed set to which I had started purchasing track mat accessories.
Too much you say, moving house again most was shifted to my parents old house where it waits and I purchased a TT120 layout for Christmas. This has made me choose going with DCC and sound and maybe the HM7000 system the way to go.
I stalled over space, I stalled over DC or DCC and I stalled over era/nationality.
What are my plans, finished the first layout, add DCC, make it interchangeable nationality wise.
Finish the weekend build, but add some extra functionality and consider a way to join it to the first layout, could exhibit it.
Take the unopened trainset and make up the full track mat and take this to exhibitions.
Develop a TT120 set up using geodetic modelling basing elements on standard sized boards.
Time, space, indecision, nationality and moving houses all have been a problem, its been over 20 years since I got the first layout working.
Add to this conundrum purchasing a R001 train set with grey track And I still have my stuff from the 60s and 70s.
Many thanks Ashley, for your interesting backstory. Regards, Charlie
That was full of so much good advice Charlie. So many people seem to think that any diorama, let alone one that incorporates moving vehicles like trains, is an easy thing to achieve. Dream, Plan, Consult and Test ! I wish I had a smart acronym but you know what I mean, hopefully yours viewers will as well. Stay safe my mate, hopefully see you soon :)
Thanks Roger, I’m so pleased that you found an interesting mate. Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
A great guide for those embarking on a layout build. My observations tell me many people rush through the basics and then at some point start again or leave the hobby, there are no short cuts to reliable running. All the best for Xmas Charlie.
Never a truer word mate. Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
Hi, Charlie. I made the biggest mistake of all mistakes nearly 40 years ago. Recalling the electric trains of my childhood, I built a model railway with exactly one scale mile of double track and extensive marshalling yards and stations in the loft of my house which I had had converted for that purpose. I bought 9 , mostly new locos and quite a lot of rolling stock. All was suspended on baseboards which I built my self and attached to the walls. It took a year. Soon after, my wife got a plum job in another City 100 miles away. We had to move and so the railway came down and never went back up. Until 2018. I never had anywhere to put it or even a decent part of it. But I have now on condition that it comes down for 6 months of the year. Converting old locos to DCC cost a lot of money but they all work perfectly having hardly been used when new. So now I have only a 10x4 ft board but well over 100 feet of complex track but with every problem from DCC shorts to derailing pretty well sorted, it works very well indeed. Once it's in the blood, I think model railways stay there forever.
Thanks Nigel,
What a heartwarming comment to read on Christmas morning.
Good luck with your project, and best wishes for 2024.
Regards, Charlie
@@ChadwickModelRailway Many thanks Charlie and a Merry Christmas to you. I really think that it's beyond the call of duty to be taking the time to read and reply to posts on Christmas day, particularly since I see you have nearly 900 comments in total. You are a hero..
It really is such a joy to share in the wonder and enjoyment of your layout. Being 67 now, "I can relate". Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Thanks Kevin I’m so pleased that you found the video interesting. Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
Merry Christmas Charlie, enjoy the well earned break from videos and I hope Santa is good to you. Thanks for entertaining us and informing us all year.
Thanks Mike, that’s really kind of you to say so. Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie, as a long (ish) time subscriber I am more of a lurker and very rarely comment. After your latest video I felt that I wanted to comment, to say thank you for the informative and honest video suggesting how to go about things. As I serve abroad in the same profession in which you used to, I am still in the early stages of planning - not to say that I haven't any track or rolling stock, I have plenty but mostly either old stuff from 40 years ago or so as a lad, or a set that I got a few years back, for DCC testing. All of my track, DCC controllers and most of my rolling stock are made by Horny. When I do eventually return back to the UK and have to get a real job I intend to have a small tail chaser, as agreed with my 'Family Manager', in the loft, however I may now rethink, based on your latest video. I also won't be using Hornby for either my track or DCC control. Having tested extensively I've decided both are not that good! As a final note, please do keep letting people know about their TH-cam subscription status, I found that somehow I was no longer subscribed to your Channel. Keep up the good work, have a great Christmas and New year, Tanzy.
An excellent think piece, Charlie. We should all point our youngsters to it as the perfect point of reference when they’ve been bitten by the model railway bug and are keen to get going. Hopefully your wisdom will help assuage at least some of their youthful exuberance and natural impatience to get it done before they make the very mistakes that you’ve highlighted and that we’ve all indeed made. But at the very least you’ve laid out all the factors that newbies must take account of; the rest is up to them (with a little help and encouragement from us oldies!).
The only one of your tips that I never had to fret about was scale/gauge. Like so many before me, my father bought me a Triang OO set for Christmas back in the late 50s so OO/HO have always been the natural choice for me; and since it’s the most widely available, it’s an easy non-choice. In no time we had ‘built’ an 8x4 tail-chaser in the back room, with trains hurtling at breakneck speed around the layout before crashing to the floor. And the steam era was thereby well and truly imprinted on me. No tin cans (aka diesels) for me 😊
But I digress (Christmas nostalgia at play, no doubt). The one tip that I’d highlight, from painful experience, is rolling stock. You rightly emphasized not rushing out to buy heaps of rolling stock before even deciding roughly what you’re going to build. But since I became an ex-Pat over here in the States some 25 years ago, I’ve made this mistake in spades! Being a lover of steam I quickly fell in love with the giant American steam locos of the 50s when I saw them in museums, on heritage lines etc so I started buying them with absolutely no regard for the ‘dream’ layout I’d eventually build when I retired. Not just locos but also long rakes of coal wagons, oil tankers, passenger coaches and so much more. With the result that now that I’ve finally started my dream layout I’ve come to find out just how much ‘out of era’ stock I’ve bought over the years! All while my love of British steam (primarily GWR) remains undiminished e.g. I just had to buy a DCC-fitted Mallard, among Castles and Kings, which I’m looking forward to running alongside BIG BOYs hauling that coal drag!! Talk about lack of objectivity.
But enough of my nostalgic rambling which only proves how right you were to make this video, Charlie. Keep up the good work. Cheers, Peter.
Thank you, Peter for such an honest and enlightening comment. I think we all make these mistakes it’s just the degree to which we have overindulged ourselves. Take care mate and have a great Christmas. Regards, Charlie
For me it was location ( we (my wife and i )) had 1 room spare, only our pc`s where in that room.
I started in H0 because my uncle left me some realy old but nice stuff.
made a nice lovely track plan and started building.
My wife got pregnant and our little girl got born 2.6 years ago. building done and track layed.
Covid hit and did not have time with a new born to be on the hobby so the room got cleaned and its been sitting in the corner for 2.4 years now :S
thats my mistake ive mate.
looking in to changing from h0 to N gage to get back in the hobby
Keep up the vids love what you do!!!
Thanks Stefan, for an insight into your world. Regards, Charlie
Great advice Charlie with video
Really enjoyed it
Thanks Mark, have a good Christmas, regards, Charlie
Some great advice as usual, Charlie, some that I wished I had heard before I started my journey with model railways. I’ve had three misfires owing to those mistakes you mention and I am know having much greater success with my fourth layout, a O gauge Inglenook shunting puzzle. One piece of advice I would give to beginners is plan out your layout down to the last detail before buying a thing, because having a clear path set out before you will make you life a lot easier in the future and will prevent your progress from stalling. Also I’d like to add that your first layout won’t necessarily be your last, don’t be afraid of making mistakes, that’s how we learn after all.
Excellent advice Nelly. If only we could stop making mistakes, have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
Fantastic vid, Charlie, but you've shown up pretty much all the mistakes I've made! 😪😀 Decided on N gauge as the loft would afford realistic train lengths and curves. BUT, as you quite rightly said, working on the loco's, rolling stock, track and pointwork has meant that the hobby has not been enjoyable for a good portion of the time since I made the decision to go in 2019. Soldering droppers onto track and points has been a steep learning curve, which is still not complete yet. And what the hell is it with Peco insulated rail joiners?! They give me an aneurysm every single time I have to use them! Also, have done the whole "buying stock before having anything to run it on" thing. Mitigation, the N gauge selection can be very limited, ie, don't get it when available, heaven knows when it will be available again. Digitrax DT602 control, as you said in your review, the instructions are........clunky! I've learnt a hell of a lot from you and your vids, Charlie, and I'm very grateful for that. All the best.
Thanks Nig, for such a heartwarming comment. It’s comments such as yours make the whole thing worthwhile. Take care mate, regards, Charlie
I started buying locos and various types of rolling stock back in 1979 when I worked as a civil servant in Holborn London. The model shop at the time was Beatties. The point is, I put the cart before the horse. I had no real layout plan and bought lengths of Hornby steel track (big mistake). I still have the locos and rolling stock in original boxes and in safe storage in my home to this day. I would love to acquire peco track and points and build modular sections of a layout.
The video has obviously brought home some home truths. He’ll be a brave man to say perhaps you should start again! Regards, Charlie
Sound advice Charlie and Merry Christmas.
Thanks, Andy, and the same to you and yours. Regards, Charlie
Lets get this pensioner to 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ Thousand subs on TH-cam 🏆🏅
That’s most kind Tez, I’m with you all the way. Regards, Charlie
@@ChadwickModelRailway i'd love nothing more than to see you reach it
I'm just starting planning and building my layout. This video has some extremely good advice. Thank you.
Don't be hung up if you make a mistake. If you screw up the wiring and getting to the point of frustration, take a step back and do something else. Go and paint some figures, or build a kit from that giant stack of things you are getting round to doing. Also, document your wiring. Can't stress this enough. Will your diagram cope with you taking an extended break, coming back and still understanding what goes where?
Please note, I haven't followed any of this advice.
Thanks for a great comment White Horse. Why must we learn from our own mistakes and not other peoples. Regards, Charlie
Great video Charlie,have a happy Christmas.
Thanks NK, stay safe and have a great Christmas. Regards, Charlie
Nice video charlie! Thanks for all the great advice and help 👍👍 ( also the class 800 is a bmu not a dmu ) I think lots of people will find this video helpful, keep up the hard work 😊🎉
Thanks little Locos, I’m so pleased that you found it interesting. Regards, Charlie
Could your friend not have followed the 'logical step' & put the daughter in the garage? OK just joking, Honest!
I so hope he doesn’t read these comments. Chris! Regards, Charlie
Brilliant. Wonderful advice.
Thanks RC, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it. Regards, Charlie
I spent 35 years planning my NG branchline. I collected or built many of the items of rolling stock I would need. I eventually built a new home and included a double garage attached to the house specifically for my layout. I decided early on to model as strictly as possible to the prototype in a narrow timespan. Having a strict plan meant I knew exactly which rollingstock I could have and no more. Many modellers see this as a hinderance. I see it as a bonus. I am not tempted to buy everything that 'could' run on my track. I only want what 'did' run on it. I can spend more on scenery items and electronics, like DCC. My approach does not work for all, but it works for me.
I will agree with building benchwork strong. I built mine to house framing standards. Nothing moves, except the trains.
It’s reassuring, to find someone who sings from the same song sheet. Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
Thanks for great info.
You’re most welcome, Glenn. Regards, Charlie.
Hi.
I really do like your way of presenting your videos, and this one has given me much to think about.
Being away from model railways for more years than I want to remember the information is brilliant. Keep it up
Thanks Alan, I’m so pleased that you enjoy the channel. Regards Charlie.
Lots of great advice Charlie.
Thanks Kiwi, I’m so pleased that you found it interesting. Regards Charlie
Very useful advice as always ,Charlie ,
Thanks Colin, that’s very kind of you to say so. Regards, Charlie
Brilliant video Charlie
Thanks Mels. Regards Charlie
Wow!!! What a great video! Great stuff Charlie thanks so much. So informative and a great insight into all the planning required. You must have great patience. I’m struggling just to think of what to plan on my layout but you have given me food for thought. Cheers mate.
Thanks John, I’m so pleased that you found the video interesting. Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
A very good video Charlie, full of good sane advice. Arthur
Thanks Arthur, I’m so pleased East. You found it interesting. Regards Charlie
Im only just starting out in model rail but one thing i have learned is to invest in yourself. For example, I spent alot on a point control system but had problems with hardware failures. Consequently I did some research and found a way to control points for a fraction of the cost and have the satisfaction of knowing how to expand or fix any issues with it. Similarly I tought myself to solder which has been really useful outside of model rail too.
That’s great news Andy, the skills are coming along. Regards, Charlie
Thank you Charlie for another great video, complements of the season to you and your family during this festive season, I have been watching your channel for some time now and it has been invaluable. I have made some sound choices on your advice.
Thanks Rodney, I’m so pleased that you find the channel useful.
Have a great Christmas and stay safe, regards, Charlie
Very good, once again. Many thanks
Thanks, Alan, regards, Charlie
Gee Charlie I'm feeling old . Turned 70 and about to move interstate and start again. I'll be building my dream layout in N scale, this will be layout number 7.
You have sown the seed , can I complete the dream before I turn up my toes . I'm going to give it a good crack. Great video keep them coming.
That’s great news Rod, good luck with your future project. Stay safe mate and have a good Christmas. Regards Charlie
Great video, Charley! Lots of really useful advice! - Ryan
Thanks Ryan, so pleased that you enjoyed it. Charlie.
Very good video with superb advice. Thank you Charlie.
Thanks Andrew, I’m so pleased that you found it interesting. Regards Charlie
A rememarkable Christmas to you Charlie, listening to your advice on starting a model railway. Thank you, wishing you further success for the future. God bless. Patrick
Thanks Patrick, that’s most kind of you to say so. Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
Dear Sire,
This is, probably, the most useful and important video you ever made. Not that it applies to me, though. Far from that!
Cheers from Brazil!
I almost believed you, Eugene. Regards, Charlie.
Charlie what a very informative video will take on board everything you have said thanks
I am so pleased that you found it. Interesting Antony. Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
Excellent set of tips Charlie, and timely as I am about to try and choose which DCC system to go for!! Looks like I need lots of research before diving in. I want to wish you and your wife a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, with the expectation of more fascinating videos to come in 2024!
Thanks Allan, I’m so pleased you enjoyed the video. Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie. I'm Pete.
I am a complete novice when it comes to railway modelling but certainly not a novice model maker. I grew up with Airfix glue and Humbrol paint in my hair and on the walls (to my mums disgust) that was back in the 70's Then after joining the Andrew in 78 my interest turned to grey warriors... I'm now 61 and have just this week gone and lost the plot... bought a second hand Hornby DCC mixed freight set, made a makeshift 6x4 base board and started playing.... I fear I may of had a cranial worm climb into my brain... I'm hooked and also addicted to binge watching your channel.
I must be mad, Oh well there goes the next few years planning, upgrading, more baseboards, more track, the list goes on.
I find your channel inspiring, informative and very addictive.
Keep up the good work shipwreck.
Thanks Peter, I’m so pleased that you find the channel interesting. It’s great to have you onboard, regards, Charlie
Nicely said, thanks for sharing,,Merry Christmas to you all 😊…
Thanks Frankkie, that’s very kind. Regards Charlie
Got me thinking. Lots to consider. Must have made a layout , pulled it all up , re-did it again , pulled it up again. At least 3 times !!!!! Biggest mistake was to ballast it and then changed my mind. Could not rescue very much. 😢. The thing I take away from this great video is clear old rolling stock and buy the best I can afford and ballast is the very last thing to do. Great video sadly a bit late to save my wallet 😂😂. But clean slate and we start again. Keep up the great work and many thanks for your great channel.
Thanks Neil, for the insight into your world. Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
Thanks for an interesting video full of great advice, it was great to see some trains running round your layout too.
Hope you have a great Christmas
Thanks Stephen, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it. Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
Just out standing, Charlie! What a compendium of knowledge!
That’s very kind of you to say so, Michael. Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
This is by far the best video I think you have done. Nice one.
Thanks Phil, that’s very kind of you to say so. Regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie; oh dear I’m one of those people who collect trains they like and love…opps. Far to much rolling stock to have on a layout all time; need a bigger space; doesn’t everyone. A great and thought provoking video; love the story of cash buying. Look forward to next video and maybe a mistakes special)) All best Marc from Leighton Buzzard
Thanks Marc, I’m so pleased that you found it entertaining. Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
Excellent practical advice Charlie. Thanks for all your super content. 👌
That’s very kind of you to say so mate. Regards, Charlie
Chas what a brilliant tutorial for new railway modellers such as myself , keep it up
Thanks John, that’s very kind of you to say so. Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
Being a widower in the Aussie tropics it quickly became apparent that my lounge room was the only air-conditioned room in my home suitable for any layout which had to be Digitrax DCC. My 8'x4' fold up table soon became a 10.5'x4.5' structure with 3 tail chaser loops. Then a visit to my hardware store had a 2nd table in the room sporting 4 turn around loops connected to the main layout via a removable 2 track bridge. It's a freight layout hauling wheat, coal and DiLithium ore with a single passenger service and a historic society running a weekend joy ride steam loco.
If my layout gets any bigger I will need to move it to my 12m x 9m shed which I dread trying to air-condition.
Thanks for the looking to your world, Marcel. Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
Hi
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Steve
Thanks, Steve, much appreciated, and the same to you and yours. Regards, Charlie
Top video mr B I’m a tad old than you started in the roof space now in big spare bedroom after bit of a health blip
Also as far as I know I am the only modeller of BR era in the place they make Merc and VW
also have very challenging conversations with local modellers about OO and
HO
Watch your stuff is a breath of fresh air to what feels like Robinson Cruso in a foreign land
Happy bus pass next birthday
Thanks John, and good luck holding your own over there. Regards Charlie
Thank you so much for this video, Charlie! I’ve saved it to watch again and again as there’s so much to thinks about… I’ve recently come back to the idea of railway modelling after a 35 year hiatus, and was planning to try imagining Alnwick station in Northumbria as a preserved line terminus. N gauge would be my likely scale, as I’m very short on space, and I was going to try scratch building the buildings/ platforms, however I feel I may have bitten off a little more than I can chew… Luckily, I haven’t started yet, so this video has allowed me to start asking myself all the right questions before I get in over my head!
Thanks Richard, I’m so pleased that the timing was ideal for you.
Regards Charlie
A very informative video and great modeling!
Thanks Dave, I’m so pleased you enjoyed it. Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
Great advice ......i'm two years in and have only just sorted out my derailment problem .......the next problem is working out a new layout when my daughter leaves home .........if she comes back ...its the sofa for her
You’re a braver man than I John. Regards, Charlie
I'm sure there are a lot of people that would enjoy your channel, Charlie. Whether you are an OAP or not, I have been following you for some years now. I just hope that my subscribers will eventually grow one day when I can consertrait on my model railway.
Thanks Gaz, have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
Thanks Charlie a great video. I keep making excuses not to start as I am looking to move house in the next year or so but I’m becoming more and more inspired to do a plank layout
Thanks e100 I’m sure that will be a good place to start. Regards, Charlie
Thank you Charlie having taken that all on board my decision about going forward has been made easier and confirmed....DCC and slow and steady building of a layout is needed 👌....plus I always over engineer as well 😊
Those are fantastic guidelines to adopt mate. Regards, Charlie
I had DC years ago. I have come back to the hobby and bought a book on DCC. I now have DCC controlled layout.
And what a great advance too.
Regards Charlie.
I was gifted a Hornby “Easterner” set for my son, ten years ago when he was 7, and went down the Trackmat Route, adding to it bit by bit. This was a great way for me to learn about some of the pitfalls, without too much financial risk, and has been a great way of learning new skills and interests. This Hobby is so much more than just Trains 🚂🚞🚞🚞💨💨💨
So true mate, have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
Another great episode, thanks Charlie! I’ve recently had to take early retirement, finding your advice most helpful, please keep up the great work.
Thanks Peter, that’s very kind of you to say so. Regards, Charlie
Great video Charlie. Very wise words which have generated some very useful comments. I don’t think there is a modeller who hasn’t made mistakes, sometimes that’s the best way to learn. Very grateful for ability to share your knowledge. A very happy Christmas to you and your family. Thanks for sharing. Roy.
Thanks Roy, I’m so pleased that you found it interesting. Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie, fascinating and wise advice. I return to the hobby as an adult firmly entrenched in my love of era 3 GWR. As a child of the late 60s & early 70s in Porstmouth I watched thumpers and various other d/emu along with 08 at Fratton marshalling yard with 33s waiting to move the trains out, but have no desire to model them. You make a good point about the locomotives & stock coming last. My proposed layout was originally going to be a branch line but has since developed in my mind to simply be a personal showcase of GWR consists - simply for the love of trains and hopefully a long and gentle line embedded in countryside to run to run them through. The loft is still just that but maybe next year. In the meantime I am guilty of buying locos & rolling stock as there have been so many brilliant new models coming to market.
As always, I love the videos and wish you every success on you 100k subscriber quest. Cheers, Dave.
Many thanks Dave, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the video. Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie another great video well worth watching and some great tips may you and your family have a merry Christmas and a happy New year cheers matey
Thanks Mr H, that was very kind of you to say so. Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
Very well said!
Thanks Rick, have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
Charlie, super video as ever, and probably one of your most important especially for newbies. You asked for comments, so here goes.
The single most important point you made in my view was about amassing huge amounts of stock and items for that 'layout of a lifetime'. I'm not referring to the avid collector who has display cases and only acquires models to look at, but the train fan who ends up with boxes and boxes of stock stored away. I'm sorry to say that for most, this is a complete waste of time and money (fine if you are happy with that).
In the last three months in our club, we have had two families contact us to sort/dispose of/help with their vast assortment of equipment. Catalogueing it was even a huge task, and sadly many of the items are neither 'collectable' or to modern standards.
When pushed on why a layout was never started or completed, the answer is always the same.......the plans were too grandiose and beyond the owners time/ability etc.
So, common sense suggests to start with a small layout and limited stock EVEN if that's not your ultimate goal. Then see what you can manage thereafter, and dispose of older stock fot the latest editions. Otherwise, you are just leaving a headache for your relatives, who don't want to disrespect your memory.
I'm practicing what I preach, my current small exhib layout is just 7 foot long, and my next is just 11 feet. I have 10 locos, but they are all finescale DCC sound, finished to the highest standard. A railway 'empire' is beyond my realistic timescale left on the planet!
Keep up the great work.
Rob
Many thanks, Rob, for a brilliant comment. You clearly are a fine example to us all. Take care mate, have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
Thank you so much for the info Charlie. As a new modeler this was very helpful indeed!
Thanks Max, I’m so pleased that you found the video useful. Regards Charlie
Great idea for a video Charlie i think this should be a great help to new modellers coming into our hobby, as for me I made bad choices with the track plan ( went free style) ended up stating again with new baseboards and less track and better ideas, keep up the good work 😊
Thanks Andrew, it’s reassuring to know that we’ve all been there, trying to recover from our silly mistakes. Regards, Charlie
Another great video Charlie with some very salient points
Thanks Martyn, I’m so pleased that you found it interesting. Regards Charlie
Really great video Charlie, you have covered a large topic and very sound advice for anyone starting up in this great hobby covering a multitude of skills. Cheers
Thanks, Ian, it’s very kind of you to say so. Regards, Charlie.
Hope you had a good Christmas and do have a happy new year as well. I enjoy watching all your video's.
Many thanks, I’m so pleased that you enjoy the channel. Best for 2024 regards Charlie
At the very beginning of my journey and this is so helpful! I still feel like I have a lot of questions and hurdles to overcome. I am looking forward to the problem solving and the creative side of Model railways! Thanks Charlie and Merry Christmas!
I’m so pleased that this has found you at the start of your project. Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie
Charlie, very sage advice. Where were you years ago.
I am now on my 3rd layout, some have probably done a lot more. But, you learn from mistakes, and grow from it hopefully, but going through a checklist gets you there.
Your points are an excellent list for a new modeller, or even an experienced one.
I am just a bit older than you, and arthritis in the hands does not help, and cancer in one eye does not help, but all is now on the up, and I am hoping to getting back to some fine scale work again, where there is success, and not a lot of swearing, and mistakes, like glueing my fingers together, and not the parts!!!.
Tools are an important part of building a layout, and as a retired Engineer (not in the railways), I have always worked to having the right tool for the job, it was just a few finer tools I have had to acquire recently - a 3 phase welder should not be used anywhere near a model railway.
Cheers, and have a merry and safe Christmas, and I am looking forward to more sage advice.
Michael
Thanks Michael, for your modelling revelations. I do hope that the New Year brings you more modelling success. Stay safe, regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie, watched Lord Al Dragon Railways today where he mentioned you and this video .
Of note were the issues of drafts, heating and cooling and the resulting issues of humidity, expansion and contraction.
I have mentioned that my layout is located in our basement and I am grateful to she who must be obeyed for affording me a 9x10’ room in which I could build my layout.
because the house is both heated and cooled as the weather changes and as a result, I don’t seem to experience negative outcomes which the guys in the UK experience in their lofts.
Big Al pointed out the line on the wall where his tables were first mounted and clearly that level has dropped. As you know the track can contract and gaps will show up at joints or rail might twist or lift.
If someone has a loft layout they might want to think about a de- humidifier for use during the warm weather.
Friends of ours had a fire in their basement, a coffee machine caught on fire for an unknown reason. If their alarm had not come on it might have been a horrible outcome. Their main floor was damaged with black smoke and it took a couple of weeks for it all to be cleaned.
Unlike the UK here in Canada we don’t have a switch on the outlet. Why this is I don’t know.
As a result we will begin to unplug everything if we are not using it. Just a safety warning.
An old friend of mine passed away and left a 40x20 ft layout he built and boxes of steam and diesel locos with accompanying coaches and rolling stock. Everything is DCC and in first class condition mostly from Hattons, Rails or shows he attended while visiting the UK.
His widow is still reluctant to sell the collection primarily because she is afraid of being ripped off.
Another lesson on cataloging and dispersement plans .
Great video and advice Charlie.
Regards
Thanks Charlie, I also saw his video. I didn’t think of humidity being an important factor but clearly it is. Regards, Charlie
I would send you a. ou old of my train art cards but don’t have your address…..
I’m sorry Charlie, but I don’t give out my home address due to a stalking incident a couple years ago.
They If you’d like to send me some, please send them to DCC TrainAutomation and they will give me a ring when they’ve arrived. Much appreciated, regards, Charlie
I recall you telling me this a year or two ago. I would be happy to send them to DCC
Hi Charlie
Wonderful
You have a way of easing from hi Tech to common sense basics. If only they were common sense!
You have listed most of my mistakes .
I can relate mostly to the fiddle yard section. I am between layouts but hard a large bedroom layout.
No fiddle yard. Waste of track and space? Definitely not! It also solves your storage problems to a degree . I am in my 70s and DCC to me is magic. The control of each loco all programmed with their individual characteristics
Is just the best.
I remember my first layout with a dc Hornby transformer ,
Dead frog points and steel track. The hand of God was very worn out.
My next layout will be in an enclosed car port underneath our Villa . We are retired and have a lovely sea view, but !, things are subject to a salty atmosphere .
Another problem added to the list.
The cars are showing the signs of this problem.
I digress.
Thanks again for a wonderful informative year.
Have a great xmas and safe new year.
You and Margaret
Stay safe.
Howard
Thanks Howard, that’s very kind of you to say so mate. Good luck with your project, and do have a great Christmas. Regards, Charlie
Hey Charlie. Top notch content, perfectly suited for the intended audience, and your ever-fine balance of wisdom and humility.
Thinking of the head-slappers in the design and construction of my layout, one thing that really tested me was working with/around the infrastructure in my space... electrical outlets, retaining access to plumbing valves, and adequate lighting for both construction and running. I was lucky to have the chance to specify e.g. outlet location during a light basement renovation, but I still made mistakes having not "dry-fitted" the benchwork before the drywall went up. Re: perpetual access to plumbing valves, this actually played into the overall benchwork design... that is, one 4' x 4' section needed to remain completely mobile, necessitating quick-release baseboard-to-baseboard electrical and track connections. It even made me tweak the track plan in a couple of areas.
I so enjoy your work... good luck with your "retiree" goal... doing everything I can to motivate the algorithm!
I’m so pleased that you found it. Interesting Stuart. It clearly rekindled some memories of your more trying times. Have a great Christmas, regards, Charlie