Charlie,,,, you are absolutely the Best!! The sort of Teacher and chum we always wanted but couldn’t find!! Whatever happens, dont change the format or the banter,, it makes my day and probably many others. Love the little Tea bar in the corner of the room!! Highly important that feature!!!!
Every day's a school day, and thanks for making today a "the role of a BSK in a parcels train" teach-in day. Your tutorial reminded me of a question my dear departed dad was often asked regarding the "restroom arrangements" at his place of work: he was a coal miner. "Well, first you should plan your shift wisely", he would say. And then add, "but if you really needed to go, then there were plenty of dark nooks & crannies you could use"!
Baldrick would be proud (on his 40th anniversary!) I like how you've retained the storage but tucked it under the layout. As blue5375 has commented, there would originally have been a run round for the engine of the passenger train - I did suggest where the remains of that could be shown. Of course, originally there would almost certainly have been a coal yard but that might easily have been reused as a carpark now. I do like the idea of the houses facing the station - that would be a welcome change from the more common arrangement where the railway is at the foot of the back gardens.
Thanks Lee, I’m so pleased that you liked the bookcase positioning. It just dawned on me one day and I thought it had to be the best option. The branch line freight facility is a little bit of a head scratcher, even though the boards are reasonably big, they don’t lend themselves long trains. Still, time is on my side. Stay safe mate, regards, Charlie
@@ChadwickModelRailway Unless you had them back on to the station, but put a small "semi-dirt" back alley between the houses back gardens and the station wall... Gives a modelling challenge, something to look at and not your usual road and houses look
"Fruit-based computer systems". . . . Charlie, you're a riot! Great video showing your plans. I've always believed too many modelers place too much track on their boards. They don't leave any room for the artistry that is so important in an effective layout. You've been good about making use of your open spaces; this will be another example. This has been such a pleasure watching your layout take form. Keep up the good work; I'll be right here to enjoy the continuing journey!
I was a carpenter Charlie, and I have to say “Top Job” regarding your bookcase 👍 that’s what todays society doesn’t realise we’ve been recycling things for years long before the word “recycling “ was even a thing lol - as for your station I can’t wait for your next instalment - very interesting 👍
Hi Charlie, first I apologise for being off subject for this video, but I would like to personally thank you for highlighting the MTB MP1 turnout motors in your video #188. Until I viewed your video I also had never heard of them. Today I have just received my first box of 8 MP1 turnout motors. ( Air mail no longer takes 4 or 5 days to get to New Zealand) My train shed is 26 ft long, and I have 5 or 6 turnouts that are a bit too far away for my normal wire-in-tube method of operating turnouts. These MP1 motors will now solve that problem for me. Thank you once again. Best regards Barry 🇳🇿
I like your ideas for the station and goods yard. Its a lot like Felixstowe in the 60's which I hope to build on my layout at some point. Great work always enjoy your video's. All the best Jim.
Charlie, great to see you opening up the branch line area. A relativly simple layout sounds very sensible, but if you turned the whole track layout 40-60% (so that the station and goods lines ran diagonally across your boards) you would gain a bit of extra length to the tracks, allowing for a bit of 'run on' beyond the platforms. Then your engines could be returned to the front of the trains and you'd gain a bit of extra space for shunting goods wagons too (this might be a redundant function depending on which stock/era you were running). You'd still have plenty of room for scenics, and you'd be able to see both the fronts and backs of your terraced housing (from the kitchen area at least). With all that extra space it'd be a shame not to get the full benefit of it. Well you did ask for suggestions! Have fun.
Having the tracks at a diagonal would also bring the track a little bit closer to the front edge of the layout which would maybe provide a better view, especially for the operator. And as said, there would still be a great deal of space in the front (and back!) for scenery.
Confession time... I missed this one and only realised after starting part 2. Anyway a top job Charlie as always and finally someone else who understands fruit based devices terminology. Now it's time to watch part 2 without a gap in my brain. Cheers!
You have very right to be rather pleased with what you have done with that shelving unit! Excellent. Re your good s area, it does make for a very short goods train.
Hi Charlie. Very exciting to see the new area being developed. As for the 'countryside' area that has yet to be developed, looks like an ideal location for a timberyard or quarry. Good luck with whatever you decide. Regards, Graeme.
I was going to suggest some sort of private industrial area, with a spur off the goods yard and it's own diesel Shunter. Something like a cement works or chemical facility. Alternatively how about a nuclear flask loading railhead to the side of the goods yard, together with an investment in a Bachmann FNA wagon.
I was going to also going to suggest some kind of industrial area instead of countryside, with that extra siding you considered. As to what type see what trucks you have already or haven't got but have always fancied to give you somewhere else to send trains to as opposed to "scenic" trains just running round, it would also mean a goods train being brought in and split and more realistic operations if you have a few more trucks to shuffle about. And if you don't want that much more track on display the siding could always go into the factory type building, giving you more scenery and more operating potential at the same time. As for any computer type help I'm sticking with DC!! Not for me but I can see the attraction of it. Your layout has some serious potential.
Hi Charlie, I enjoy watching your progress with the railway. Something you might want to consider with the goods facility is a head shunt which serves two purposes. 1. You will not be fouling the mainline (passenger side) when shunting wagons and 2. This serves as a trap to prevent a train leaving the sidings against a signal at danger. If there’s to be no head-shunt you should definitely install a trap point beyond the exit signal to the goods sidings.
Marvellous Charlie, blooming Marvellous, the branch line has been in the planning for so long, really looking forward to following the progress, I'm a carpenter and joiner (retired) and can i say your work is fine it does the job and looks sturdy. That's a ingenious use for the old bookcase. I've got huge respect for all the aspects of modelling from woodworkingto very complex electrical issues. You achieve well done you. Take care Eddy xx. ps never loose that cheeky sense of humour.
Top video, Charlie, as always. The only thing I would think about adding would be one more head shunt. From the shot at 18:41, a head shunt for the teddy bear to advance into. Only needs to be big enough for the shunter. But that allows for one shunter to be 'parked' there, and you could then think of a train being brought up from the helix, and reversed into that siding, the engine being sent off, and then the shunter parked in the head shunt would do all the movemenets necessary.
This has been inspirational, Charlie. I’m still at the ‘what kind of layout do I want?’ stage, but this has provided me with some serious food for thought.
Hi David, I am still deciding on layout, too. Where are you building? Mine is in a single garage. I can't decide on whether to use a lifting hatch to maximise the running space, or lift the layout to head level.
@@michaelwood5872 mine will be in what was my daughter’s room. I’m looking at a layout approx 6’ x 5’ I’m at that stage of design, reffing, abandon, start again and treat. Watching the likes of Charlie, Dean Park & Everard Junction have helped in a good way that their videos are helping me to identify potential issues at such an early stage. I know it’s an organic hobby, but there’s an awful lot to consider-but better that I do it at this stage.
@@davidparry1968 I am totally with you there. Charlie is such a mine of information and entertaining, too. I am ashamed to say I have been at the planning stage for over three years!! I hope that you won't overplan as I have. It only leads to more procrastination and going back to the drawing board. 😁🤔
Hi Charlie, after a short break of 40 years, I have come back to model railways am building Gwinear Road station on the West Coast mainline, and the branch line down to Heston. I was watching one of your episodes, the other night, an episode where you were showing the uses of an ultrasonic cleaner. Very interesting. I thought, exactly the same as my one, apart from building a model Railway I also make watches. But here is the interesting part, I have found another use for ultrasonic cleaners if you use an electric razor. They are very good at cleaning the headpiece with the cutting blades. Hope this is of use to somebody, keep up with good work, regards, Pete
Hello Charlie! The thought process behind your planning is very interesting. You are very disciplined in leaving room for the scenery; I’m at the (computer-based) planning stage and find it impossible to resist covering all the available space with track! Peter.
@@ChadwickModelRailway I was going to chime in with "less is more". Sacle back on the track and leave room for the scenery to amplify the layout's track plan.
That the very mistake I made, I wanted an MPD, goodsyard, turntable etc which I managed to incorporate but the surrounding scenery almost looks like an afterthought.
I love the way you casually add an area as big as some have for their layout! Two suggestions For the headshunt, ensure you can get a Class 47 in there. 25/35 are nice little engines, but others might be tasked. For the shunting yard, I think it’s good to embed an Inglenook puzzle. Thanks for the entertainment!
Lovely video Charlie, thoroughly enjoyed it. Your videos are an inspiration to me - I am a couple of years from retirement and am fortunate that my younger self had the good sense to over invest in pensions. I plan to build the layout of my dreams when I finally attain the courage to quit my job, and your videos have given me soooo many ideas about this (of course, my Better Half has her visions of cruises and exotic travel, but I’m sure there’ll be sufficient freedom left over for me to disappear into my spare room, I so want a couple of helixes!). Thanks again Charlie.
I’m so pleased that I have given you the inspiration, Lee. However, be careful what you hope for, you need to live long enough to finish it. Regards, Charlie
Good work on adapting the bookcase into a new more useful configeration. As per your remark about the over large buildings on the backscene, option 2 hides most of them and what does show blends well. Like the idea of the houses on one side of the street and car parking along the tracks as surely the commuters from this station would need somewhere to park. Arthur
Well done Charlie, another part of the new layout is underway. Sage advice in that less is more, as modellers we can tend to add too much track, cheers Paul.
Charlie looking good one thing you need to consider is a buffer stop at the ends of the tracks to the terminus station and allowance for train to stop short of the buffer stop. These days you would allow a 3m step back and a further 2m fir inaccurate stopping
@@ChadwickModelRailway basically trains do not touch buffer stops they are there for emergency scenarios. One thing that you have to do when making changes on the network these days is a buffer stop risk assessment now that will give you a headache
Are there no limits to your talents Charlie, brilliant video once again thanks so much for sharing and again you have given so many ideas for our layouts
Hi Charlie, re your question at the end of the video - Smarthand , which is part of the Train Controller suite, will be the way to go. No wires as it uses wifi to connect to the computer running TC - Works on smart phones, laptops. ipads - it uses a unique URL in your browser.
I do like the plan Charlie, and also the idea of historic track evidence from the steam era. I'd be after a little maintenance shed for the shunter I think. Great work!
Hi Charlie. Just an idea, I would do away with the two points within the two tracks at the end of the goods yard area so you can run longer goods trains to the buffers, an then introduce a double slip at the beginning of the three goods yard lines, the fourth outlet on the double slip can then be to a head shunt away from the good yard area, if that makes sense. You would need a dedicated loco for your yard. Further tracks could be added within the yard, so instead of three lines, you could have six perhaps, anyway, just a thought for you. Friends could operate the goods yard completely independently of the station. Regards. Dave Pearce.
What a splendid Chadwick video, Charlie. It's got everything we might expect: turning a bookcase into a bookcase, the phone going, periscopes, adjusting Lee's track planning, etc. 😀 Actually thought you were going to take the bookcase apart to use it as baseboards for the branch station.😀 I have to admit I got a bit twitchy when you said you were (probably?) going to lose all access to one quadrant of Helix 1. Might be worth thinking about how you might be able to retain access in emergencies. I even wondered if there was sufficient ceiling height to make the two new boards hinge upwards at the sink end. Sod's law dictates that if you make some provision for access, you'll not need it, but if you don't, you will need it three days after you've completed all scenic work on the branch station ... Track plan looks reasonable to me. I thought the raised houses looked better than the track level houses, though there's no reason that first terrace couldn't be jacked up in the same way. Raise them up high enough, or make them imposing enough, and you could even hide the houses on the backscene. One immediate thought on the track plan/platform layouts as you mentioned parcels: thinking about to the 70s when we had to go and collect parcels from the station that was the actual station, not a separate office in the former goods yard (which, along with the coal yards, by then was just waste ground). Also, as you mentioned Weymouth, I had to go and have a look at the maps.nls.uk website, and rather than a goods platform as you'd laid out, Weymouth had a goods shed (where B&Q is now) with a through line on the 1947 OS map (on earlier maps, the goods shed had two through lines with cattle pens on the north side). Also from the old maps, it appears the station building wasn't across the end of the tracks as it is now, as the tracks extend beyond what was presumably a canopy almost right up to the road; so the entrance must have been on the side, presumably between the passenger lines and the goods lines. Not saying that you should copy any real location or time slavishly, but it is another possible inspiration, maybe?
Thanks Andrew, for such an interesting comment. I do apologise for the lateness of this comment. Clearly yours has slipped through the net! It is very interesting looking back at how the station once was. Take care, regards, Charlie
I like the station with mk2 houses, on the goods yard might I suggest looking pre-diesels on which locos which would have worked the goods into the yard on a branch line, ie 0-6-0, 0-6-2 tank loco's taking it your GWR (BR-W) based which might be the head shunt limit!. Also take a look at some old goods shed photos most of which were single rail inside with road vehicles the other side, a old Hornby goods shed recovered in brick plasticard might work well, not forgetting a weighbridge with said hut. I remenber as a child going down to the coal office with my mother to order the next couple of hundered weight of coal in the 70's!! I look forward to the next stage of your build Charlie
Nice one Charlie, interesting to hear your thinking. You mention that the station building (placeholder) is too big- that depends! Weymouth used to be so much bigger: they replaced the buildings with something small (and ugly) when it was ‘rationalised’. The same happened at Dorchester South, but Dorchester West (which you will know) still retains its original building, which is bigger than either- mostly now rented out as a Pizza Shop. So if the building you use is old it needs to be big, but if it’s new it should be small with large car park area built on the old space. I’m in Dorchester if you fancy a coffee and a nose around what I’m building. Early stages, but some different approaches.
The idea is quite good and interesting using the helix space. The space you have left could you put an abandoned siding with a couple of coaches being restored ?? Always enjoy your videos.
As always, a very interesting and polished presentation. Plenty to consider here, delivered with your usual warmth and candidness. Even just placing some urban infrastructure temporarily in place, the progress of the layout continues. As for the bookcase, what a quirky and useful solution. It's always a happy Friday when we get an email alert of another quality Chadwick production. Excellent. Nige
Hey Charlie, thank you for another fun video. Here is my little suggestion, add a 3rd passenger line to branch station to create a passing loop with track two. The station would have been built that way originally and then they would have add track 1 / dock platform in modern times. For the goods side i would add a single track for the yard shunter / engine shed. Just my thoughts and really enjoy the videos. Thanks again Mat
Charlie, another great video, and update. I was very worried when your cunning plan involved power tools, sometimes that does not end well. BUT, your modified bookcase was a real winner, great job, and a great solution to both storage, and functionality. I am liking your plan for the branch station and goods yard, I am not very familiar with "ye olde english" stations, but you appear to be heading in the right direction. Thank you for sharing, cheers, and stay safe, Michael
Another great update Charlie nice conversion with the book shelf I was impressed! Love the branch line station and freight yard beginnings keep up the great work mate!
All looks good so far! i'd add a headshunt going away from the freight sidings so that shunting operations can take place without affecting passenger traffic, and somewhere for larger locos to wait while the outward train is put together. (or a shunter to wait while a new train arrives)? A further uncoupler on the track where you're building new trains to go out too, so you can shunt easier? Cheers. Mike
Rather like a friendly yokel who's been stopped and asked for directions and replies 'I wouldn't start from here', I feel that a carpenter wouldn't have started with a pre-made case , however, that looked like a very serviceable, and well thought through solution: nothing that requires an apology! I enjoyed this weeks video very much, and love how the branch line extension is shaping up.
On the computer fronr what you might need is a small "mesh" wifi set-up exclusive to Chadwick. Visitors with laptops could then be given the p/w and then become "peers" on the local network (if that is compatible with Train Controller naturally). Other option would be to run a bit of CAT5 computer cable around to the far end to make up a physical connection.
I used to work on carriage maintenance in the 70s and one region seemed ro have working periscopes for much longer than other regions and that was the Southern region. Certainly a lot of their brakes had working periscopes into the mid 70s.
Morning Charlie. Like what you are doing with this station area. Just a thought - Think if you left the buildings as they are at the back then I would consider swinging the railway out so it is not so parallel with the road or better still just swing the goods yard out so all is not looking so parallel and give a bit of room for a goods shed with road access next to the passenger line. Worth a try as you have the room and can avoid the railway looking as though it is restrained by the background line. All the best, John
another very interesting video Charlie great carpentry skills bookshelf looks fab under layout and when you moved the bookshelf we got to see the layout in full size which is looking amazing
Its interesting not only to see what you are going to do, but also your ideas and thought processes on your future projects. I like the raised houses and wall section idea, and you have room between the platform line and the wall for a disused head-shunt line too. Looking forward to the next one!
Charlie, Though I'm not a TRAIN CONTROLLER expert, I am a Helix to Hell whiz. A thought about your access to the inner sphere of this Helix. Make the branch line roadbed removable. This will intail some track changes. For this example I will be calling the rectangular board "A" & the rounded board "B". How original! So with both boards where they meet with the existing board end the trackage there with Copper Conductivity strips. Tracks on all three boards would be shoulder to the strips. Board "B" would have a curved switch to access two tracks with a narrow platform it ??could?? end slope near the rear of the station. The inside "B" track would closely parallel the joint between boards "B" & "A". But it would be on the "B" board that you would build any desired fencing. Board "A" could continue it's current design with the obvious exclusion the the goods yard would be on the "B" side. For visual reference attach the station and garage at the joint of "A" board. And the fencing on "B". Now whenever you need to access the Helix core you clear the loose items, lift each board out of the way, and climb in. YUCH! OH! And as for track cleaning, of my train clubs share TRACK CLEANING THURSDAYS. Each week we give sections of track a serious going over. And as a group we strongly agree that track cleaning vehicles are a must. But don't forget a monthly BRIGHT BOY. And a Bi-Monthly metal wheel cleaning. (F.Y.I. we do total Locomotive maintenance semiannually.). Which brings me to this conclusion. Consider in the future doing an episode on scheduling. How often back office tasks NEED to be accomplished. SO MARK YOUR CALENDARS. Jim in N.Y.
What an excellent comment, Jim. I use the first of the month to do my track cleaning and do the lot in one go! If only I had a diagram of your track proposal. Regards Charlie
Charlie; 1st; well done with the "New" bookcase. 2nd; personally, I prefer the houses as depicted at the end of the video. This leaves room for a road and car parking beside the retaining wall rather than put another wall alongside the tracks - I'd put a fence there. 3rd; I'd opt out of the platform between the two freight tracks - Not something you would see very often in the States. Install the switch as you show at abt the 17 minute mark then once on the new board, run at a 45 degree angle to the runaround / storage tracks and have some sort of industrial building, e.g. a multi level warehouse / production building. This gives you some more flavor to the area plus enables roads / parking / hillside to be added to finish out the area.
Many thanks DH, some very interesting suggestions. It’s nice to have the space which causes the dilemma! Still, time is on my side and I’m sure a workable option will prevail. Regards, Charlie
OMD 😮 Power packed Episode Charlie! From Carpentry to Comms & Track plans to Town planning, Even a Bonus Freight movement - You’ve deffo got it All Goin on M8 😂😂 👏🏻Thanks for all your Hard work 👏🏻✨
Good day, I use Train Controller add on Smarthand with old iPads I picked up, which cost about $50us each. I was fortunate enough that the iPads came with stands that I made mounts for on the layouts facia. Happy to send photos if you’d like. It all works great.
Great video Charlie. It is so helpful to learn about the thought process of coming up with a configuration on a blank space that will be both realistic and interesting to use, particularly aiming to keep some open space… Thank you! 👍
Hi Charlie, Firstly my original post has disappeared, hopefully you get this one. It’s good to see your progress on the branch line. The solution to multi user may well be something called Smart Hand Mobile by the TrainController guys, which is maybe more of what you are looking. Something to research via a trail download and user manual, Charlie. Best, Jason.
Hi Jason, I haven’t seen your original post so I’m unaware of where that went. Yes other people have suggested smart hand. A product I was completely unaware of. I shall do some digging around today but its suitability seems to be spot-on. Regards Charlie
Looking great Charlie, like the plan and as you say the buildings will drive the width of a platform. Your book shelf looks great also, very enjoyable.
I like the front-on housing across a road along the station wall - seems very prototypical. I think if you're going with a station in that orientation though you'll need a very different station building - that one doesn't look right at all in that orientation to the tracks.
@@ChadwickModelRailway The only branchline terminus I can think of near me is Sheerness-on-Sea, but that's built slightly to the side as tragically in 1971 the inevitable happened to the older structure. I'm sure there must be prototypes that could be used as a basis for a bit of kit bashing though.
Not sure if anyone has already mentioned it. You will need to extend the platform to fit a 3 car DMU into the station. There is no room for any kind of buffer stops or human error in stopping without leaving part of a coach outside the station.
Hi Charlie. My two pennerth for what it’s worth is really to say you need somewhere to act as a holding ground for a few wagons otherwise your incoming vehicles would need to be the outgoing vehicles. Think from the point of view that today is Saturday and your expecting goods coming into the station on Monday to be shipped out first thing Tuesday. If you had a few wagons in a yard they could be pulled alongside the loading dock ready for loading Monday and even then moved back to a siding in the yard ready to be put into an outgoing train on Tuesday. I’d feel inclined to lose a bit of the space between the passenger and goods lines to give you more yard space which wouldn’t detract massively from the countryside area. Aesthetically 2 extra lines would be pleasing especially if they were curved. Just my opinion of course. It is after all your train set and it’s what pleases you that matters. Brian
Hi young(ish) Charles. Great idea for the extended diorama. Leave the houses at the back where they are as they hide the ‘O Gauge' rooftops on the backdrop. Also, to be politically correct, make a bay in the car park for vehicles needing wheelchair access to the station. And maybe even a bay for a single decker bus stop or a taxi rank. Apart from that, the whole arrangement looks very feasible so, crack on with the extension while the idea is still fresh in your mind. Incidentally, some green space at the front would be aesthetically pleasing by providing some balance against all the railway lines and buildings so perhaps a small park with a children’s play area would suffice. Just a thought. Paul. 👍❤️
Hi Charlie, Another entertaining video. I think most of these points have been raised by others but here goes anyway Slew the passenger lines across about 15 to 20 degrees, this will create room for a parcels bay in the vee behind the station and also allow a little more length to the platforms (do you need two platforms?) Many branches coped with a single platform and bay with a loop on the main platform road for freight arrivals. The station buildings and parking area would then fit comfortably along the back of the main platform and the extra length would allow the occasional running of 'excursions' of loco hauled stock at least 4 or maybe 5 BRMK1s coaches. I think you need a short headshunt (mainly to allow shunting without affecting passenger operations and to provide a place to park a shunter) even though the station probably would not justify a full time shunter in reality but we all have too many locos. I think a long siding parallel to the loop is needed mainly for remarshalling out bound freights - could also be used as a carriage siding if you want to run excursions. You then need the main unloading siding with a crane and loading bank (platform)/goods shed. At least one more siding is needed - the obvious traffic would be coal - another possibility is some kind of private siding like a mail order warehouse - more vans and parcels vehicles - or possibly an animal feedstock and agricultural supply warehouse. You could consider singling the line immediately after the junction as I don't think traffic on the branch would warrant double track unless you plan to run an intensive suburban service (this would also create a bit of room for the headshunt) To summarise the station would then look something like this from the backscene Bay Platform (3 coach length) with parking and houses beyond Main Platform (5 coach length) Loop line (5coach/15 short wagon length) with head shunt back towards the junction and short stub siding at the terminus end Marshalling siding/coach siding Unloading siding Industry/coal siding The main platform road, loop, marshalling siding and unloading siding would all be parallel with the industry/coal siding slewed further out towards the front of the board. I assume the station will be operated from the front of the board/helix so shunting manoeuvers should not be too far from the operator. Freight operations would then be freight arrives in loop, loco runs around and collects outgoing freight from the marshalling siding and departs leaving the shunter to handle the recently arrived train and make up the next departure. If no dedicated shunter is employed the freight loco would shunt and assemble the outgoing train itself. Excursions would mainly run on the weekend when there is no freight. The shunter would run out from the main engine shed light engine (or with a shunters truck and brake van) each morning and return in the evening. Keep up the good work and I look forward to your final design. Cheers Jon
Thanks Jonathan, but is there any chance that you could send me a photo if you draw out the Track Plan? You can send it to chadwickmodel railway@gmail.com. Regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie, I would have a right hand point coming off the line 2, assuming its platform 2 where your Blue 101 is and make that a spare siding that stops a little bit short of the terminus station, that would give yo a extra place to store a spare loco with coaches or even a engineers train, or just have a a disused siding with really rusty and wonky rails, I think you need a piece track in there even if it doesn't do anything. The buildings mmmmmmm....... I actually liked the Metcalf turned around so that the back yards were at the back scene. Also I saw what you meant with the other option and it gives the retaining wall idea, personally I would go with the first option, its a bit more work but I think it could look just as good if not better. Love the videos and good luck with your choices. Jonathan.
Very much enjoyed the video. The loading dock will be an excellent edition to add "operational interest." For what it's worth, I'd add the addtional siding, as most loading area designs in the real world seemed to belong the "Can't have too many sidings" doctorine in order to accommodate two goods trains needing attention that have arrived simultaneously. I guess you could give the additional siding the overgrown/neglected/little used feeling, which is/was also common at such places.
Hi Charlie, A very nice video as always and I hope you have some good track plan input. I just thought I would mension that as you said KD's do not work on curved track with the uncouplers very true but it is possible with the delayed uncouplers to separate your wagons on a straight and then push them on to a curved line. Cheers Robert.
Well done with the bookshelf conversion... nicely done... very tidy. and an interesting development Charlie in regards to your intended expansion... Might I suggest a yard specific signal box (probably not the correct terminology) or control tower, and a storage holding facility such as a warehouse securable/enclosed or even an open air yard or both? What would the facility handle in nature of freight/cargo. Machinery, Dry goods, Foodstuffs requiring refrigeration, Livestock, Gases and liquids, building and/or hazardous materials? You might also consider enabling road traffic to enter the rail yard so as to expedite cargo transfers between rail and road.. I'm looking forward to how this grows.
Hi Charlie that's a great looking idea, especially the houses. Have you considered putting the goods area at an angle so a train coming in to unload might kick off at, say a 25 degree angle and stay at that angle? It might make better ise of thd space and you could have a retaining wall taking a chunk out of the adjacent hillside another idea is if its mid to late 60s there would be a lot of open ground with remnants of lifted track and maybe a derelict goods shed on a disconnected siding, while the newer loading area looks more modern in comparison. It'd be a great way to put in details and make the yard into its own moving diorama
Charlie,,,, you are absolutely the Best!! The sort of Teacher and chum we always wanted but couldn’t find!! Whatever happens, dont change the format or the banter,, it makes my day and probably many others. Love the little Tea bar in the corner of the room!! Highly important that feature!!!!
Yes! seeing as all the british rail staff would have been in there for most of the day drinking coffee and smoking like a train.
Thanks Nick, for such a heartwarming comment. It’s thoughtslike these that make the channel worthwhile. Regards, Charlie
Fantastic as usual. Thank you
Every day's a school day, and thanks for making today a "the role of a BSK in a parcels train" teach-in day.
Your tutorial reminded me of a question my dear departed dad was often asked regarding the "restroom arrangements" at his place of work: he was a coal miner.
"Well, first you should plan your shift wisely", he would say. And then add, "but if you really needed to go, then there were plenty of dark nooks & crannies you could use"!
Your father was clearly an entertaining gentleman, Stephen. Regards, Charlie
Baldrick would be proud (on his 40th anniversary!) I like how you've retained the storage but tucked it under the layout.
As blue5375 has commented, there would originally have been a run round for the engine of the passenger train - I did suggest where the remains of that could be shown. Of course, originally there would almost certainly have been a coal yard but that might easily have been reused as a carpark now.
I do like the idea of the houses facing the station - that would be a welcome change from the more common arrangement where the railway is at the foot of the back gardens.
Thanks Lee, I’m so pleased that you liked the bookcase positioning. It just dawned on me one day and I thought it had to be the best option.
The branch line freight facility is a little bit of a head scratcher, even though the boards are reasonably big, they don’t lend themselves long trains. Still, time is on my side. Stay safe mate, regards, Charlie
@@ChadwickModelRailway Unless you had them back on to the station, but put a small "semi-dirt" back alley between the houses back gardens and the station wall... Gives a modelling challenge, something to look at and not your usual road and houses look
I don't know about the South West, but I can think of a few locations in the midlands where rows of Victorian terraces are front on to a railway line.
"Fruit-based computer systems". . . . Charlie, you're a riot! Great video showing your plans. I've always believed too many modelers place too much track on their boards. They don't leave any room for the artistry that is so important in an effective layout. You've been good about making use of your open spaces; this will be another example. This has been such a pleasure watching your layout take form. Keep up the good work; I'll be right here to enjoy the continuing journey!
Thanks Pat, it’s comments such as yours that make the channel worthwhile. I’m so pleased that you are on board for my journey. Regards, Charlie
pear computing running some linux, obviously
You have an APRICOT PC?
I was a carpenter Charlie, and I have to say “Top Job” regarding your bookcase 👍 that’s what todays society doesn’t realise we’ve been recycling things for years long before the word “recycling “ was even a thing lol - as for your station I can’t wait for your next instalment - very interesting 👍
Thanks Andy, I’m so pleased that you didn’t mock my carpentry!
Regards, Charlie
Wherever you put points, remember the Helix underneath this time!
Oh yes, Kieran, they will certainly be surface mounted. Regards, Charlie
When Charlie gets the power tools out, you know you're in for a treat!
Yes Simon, we all believe Power Tools are very manly! Regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie, first I apologise for being off subject for this video, but I would like to personally thank you for highlighting the MTB MP1 turnout motors in your video #188. Until I viewed your video I also had never heard of them. Today I have just received my first box of 8 MP1 turnout motors. ( Air mail no longer takes 4 or 5 days to get to New Zealand) My train shed is 26 ft long, and I have 5 or 6 turnouts that are a bit too far away for my normal wire-in-tube method of operating turnouts. These MP1 motors will now solve that problem for me.
Thank you once again. Best regards Barry 🇳🇿
Thanks Barry, I’m so pleased that you found the video useful. Regards Charlie
I like your ideas for the station and goods yard. Its a lot like Felixstowe in the 60's which I hope to build on my layout at some point. Great work always enjoy your video's. All the best Jim.
Thanks Jim, that’s very kind of you to say so. Next week is the update, regards, Charlie
I like that you pulled from your existing scenic buildings to build out your station and goods area. I like what you have planned.
Thanks Karl, I’m so pleased that you found it interesting. Regards Charlie
Charlie, great to see you opening up the branch line area.
A relativly simple layout sounds very sensible, but if you turned the whole track layout 40-60% (so that the station and goods lines ran diagonally across your boards) you would gain a bit of extra length to the tracks, allowing for a bit of 'run on' beyond the platforms. Then your engines could be returned to the front of the trains and you'd gain a bit of extra space for shunting goods wagons too (this might be a redundant function depending on which stock/era you were running). You'd still have plenty of room for scenics, and you'd be able to see both the fronts and backs of your terraced housing (from the kitchen area at least). With all that extra space it'd be a shame not to get the full benefit of it.
Well you did ask for suggestions! Have fun.
Thanks Chazzy , there are loads of great suggestions. Regards Charlie
Having the tracks at a diagonal would also bring the track a little bit closer to the front edge of the layout which would maybe provide a better view, especially for the operator. And as said, there would still be a great deal of space in the front (and back!) for scenery.
Confession time... I missed this one and only realised after starting part 2. Anyway a top job Charlie as always and finally someone else who understands fruit based devices terminology. Now it's time to watch part 2 without a gap in my brain. Cheers!
Thanks Anthony, that’s what I call devotion. Regards, Charlie
You have very right to be rather pleased with what you have done with that shelving unit! Excellent.
Re your good s area, it does make for a very short goods train.
Thanks mate, I’m so pleased that you approve of my carpentry skills! Regards, Charlie
I really like what you are doing. With myself designing a new layout. It's given me a few tips on what to do on my layout
That’s great Stephen, I’m so pleased that you have found the video useful. Regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie. Very exciting to see the new area being developed. As for the 'countryside' area that has yet to be developed, looks like an ideal location for a timberyard or quarry. Good luck with whatever you decide. Regards, Graeme.
I was going to suggest some sort of private industrial area, with a spur off the goods yard and it's own diesel Shunter. Something like a cement works or chemical facility.
Alternatively how about a nuclear flask loading railhead to the side of the goods yard, together with an investment in a Bachmann FNA wagon.
Thanks Graeme, there are loads of great suggestions. Regards Charlie
I was going to also going to suggest some kind of industrial area instead of countryside, with that extra siding you considered.
As to what type see what trucks you have already or haven't got but have always fancied to give you somewhere else to send trains to as opposed to "scenic" trains just running round, it would also mean a goods train being brought in and split and more realistic operations if you have a few more trucks to shuffle about. And if you don't want that much more track on display the siding could always go into the factory type building, giving you more scenery and more operating potential at the same time. As for any computer type help I'm sticking with DC!! Not for me but I can see the attraction of it. Your layout has some serious potential.
Thanks Philip, that’s very kind of you to say so. Regards, Charlie
The goods yard plan looks good. There is even a stub at the end of the runaround to park the guards van during shunting.
Yes, it is starting to come together. Regards, Charlie
Clever use of the cupboard. I like the look of the design, as you say less rail can be better.
Thanks Graeme , it’s great to have you on board. Regards Charlie
Hi Charlie, I enjoy watching your progress with the railway. Something you might want to consider with the goods facility is a head shunt which serves two purposes. 1. You will not be fouling the mainline (passenger side) when shunting wagons and 2. This serves as a trap to prevent a train leaving the sidings against a signal at danger. If there’s to be no head-shunt you should definitely install a trap point beyond the exit signal to the goods sidings.
Hi JH, yes I will install a head shunt. However, there is already a trap points there. Regards, Charlie
Marvellous Charlie, blooming Marvellous, the branch line has been in the planning for so long, really looking forward to following the progress, I'm a carpenter and joiner (retired) and can i say your work is fine it does the job and looks sturdy. That's a ingenious use for the old bookcase. I've got huge respect for all the aspects of modelling from woodworkingto very complex electrical issues. You achieve well done you. Take care Eddy xx. ps never loose that cheeky sense of humour.
I’m so pleased that you liked my DIY skills, Eddie., Regards, Charlie
🇧🇷🚂👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Perfect work!!
Congratulation!!
You’re too kind BCS. Regards, Charlie
Thanks for another great video Charlie. The bookcase idea is what I meant in my comment on video 171 and not the toilet!
Thanks Stevie, I think the final solution works well. Regards, Charlie
Very impressed Charlie, it’s so relaxing seeing someone else working and planning I really love watching it, thank you.
Thanks Paul, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it. Regards, Charlie
Another great video and very good idea of what to do with the book shelf👍 hope the loco is okay an nothing broke off 😊
Thanks John, no nothing broken thankfully. Regards, Charlie
The loco doesn’t have Charlie’s good taste, and felt the need for a lie-down.
All of your videos are great but especially like the development of your layout.
Then next week will be a treat S70.
Regards Charlie
Keep it simple Charlie looks good as is.
Thanks Andrew, I’m so pleased that you’re onside. Regards, Charlie
Excellent video Chas , the layout gets better by the episode
That’s very kind of you to say so John. Regards, Charlie
Top video, Charlie, as always. The only thing I would think about adding would be one more head shunt. From the shot at 18:41, a head shunt for the teddy bear to advance into. Only needs to be big enough for the shunter. But that allows for one shunter to be 'parked' there, and you could then think of a train being brought up from the helix, and reversed into that siding, the engine being sent off, and then the shunter parked in the head shunt would do all the movemenets necessary.
An excellent suggestion, and I think I have a plan now. Regards, Charlie
@@ChadwickModelRailway Cheers! And keep up the excellent videos!
This has been inspirational, Charlie. I’m still at the ‘what kind of layout do I want?’ stage, but this has provided me with some serious food for thought.
That’s great news David, I’m so pleased that you find it interesting. Regards Charlie
Hi David, I am still deciding on layout, too.
Where are you building? Mine is in a single garage. I can't decide on whether to use a lifting hatch to maximise the running space, or lift the layout to head level.
@@michaelwood5872 mine will be in what was my daughter’s room. I’m looking at a layout approx 6’ x 5’ I’m at that stage of design, reffing, abandon, start again and treat. Watching the likes of Charlie, Dean Park & Everard Junction have helped in a good way that their videos are helping me to identify potential issues at such an early stage. I know it’s an organic hobby, but there’s an awful lot to consider-but better that I do it at this stage.
@@davidparry1968 I am totally with you there. Charlie is such a mine of information and entertaining, too. I am ashamed to say I have been at the planning stage for over three years!! I hope that you won't overplan as I have. It only leads to more procrastination and going back to the drawing board. 😁🤔
Wonderful layout Charlie
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it Mels. Regards Charlie
Charlie, you do inspire me with your layout innovation. Thanks for sharing 👍🚂
That’s very kind of you to say so, Lindsay. Regards, Charlie
So, when is a bookcase not a bookcase? When Charlie has been at it!! Brilliant as usual. Well done.
Thanks Paul, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it. Regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie, after a short break of 40 years, I have come back to model railways am building Gwinear Road station on the West Coast mainline, and the branch line down to Heston.
I was watching one of your episodes, the other night, an episode where you were showing the uses of an ultrasonic cleaner. Very interesting. I thought, exactly the same as my one, apart from building a model Railway I also make watches. But here is the interesting part, I have found another use for ultrasonic cleaners if you use an electric razor. They are very good at cleaning the headpiece with the cutting blades. Hope this is of use to somebody, keep up with good work, regards, Pete
That’s a great tip Peter. I’m a wet razor guy but a useful tip either way.
Regards Charlie
Hello Charlie! The thought process behind your planning is very interesting. You are very disciplined in leaving room for the scenery; I’m at the (computer-based) planning stage and find it impossible to resist covering all the available space with track! Peter.
Thanks Peter, I think that laying too much track is an easy mistake to make. Sometimes less is more. Good luck with your plans, regards Charlie.
@@ChadwickModelRailway I was going to chime in with "less is more". Sacle back on the track and leave room for the scenery to amplify the layout's track plan.
That the very mistake I made, I wanted an MPD, goodsyard, turntable etc which I managed to incorporate but the surrounding scenery almost looks like an afterthought.
I love the way you casually add an area as big as some have for their layout!
Two suggestions
For the headshunt, ensure you can get a Class 47 in there. 25/35 are nice little engines, but others might be tasked.
For the shunting yard, I think it’s good to embed an Inglenook puzzle.
Thanks for the entertainment!
Thanks Tom, sound advice as usual. Regards, Charlie
Lovely video Charlie, thoroughly enjoyed it. Your videos are an inspiration to me - I am a couple of years from retirement and am fortunate that my younger self had the good sense to over invest in pensions. I plan to build the layout of my dreams when I finally attain the courage to quit my job, and your videos have given me soooo many ideas about this (of course, my Better Half has her visions of cruises and exotic travel, but I’m sure there’ll be sufficient freedom left over for me to disappear into my spare room, I so want a couple of helixes!).
Thanks again Charlie.
I’m so pleased that I have given you the inspiration, Lee. However, be careful what you hope for, you need to live long enough to finish it. Regards, Charlie
Good work on adapting the bookcase into a new more useful configeration. As per your remark about the over large buildings on the backscene, option 2 hides most of them and what does show blends well. Like the idea of the houses on one side of the street and car parking along the tracks as surely the commuters from this station would need somewhere to park. Arthur
Thanks Arthur, we clearly singing from the same song sheet. Regards, Charlie
Well done Charlie, another part of the new layout is underway.
Sage advice in that less is more, as modellers we can tend to add too much track, cheers Paul.
Thanks Paul, I’m so pleased that you found it interesting. Regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie the Weymouth station route is a great idea looking forward to see wot you come up with for the goods area thankyou for the video
I’m so pleased that you found it. Interesting Mark. Regards, Charlie.
Charlie looking good one thing you need to consider is a buffer stop at the ends of the tracks to the terminus station and allowance for train to stop short of the buffer stop. These days you would allow a 3m step back and a further 2m fir inaccurate stopping
Thanks Gary, my brain is starting to hurt now. Regards Charlie
@@ChadwickModelRailway basically trains do not touch buffer stops they are there for emergency scenarios. One thing that you have to do when making changes on the network these days is a buffer stop risk assessment now that will give you a headache
Are there no limits to your talents Charlie, brilliant video once again thanks so much for sharing and again you have given so many ideas for our layouts
That’s very kind of you to say so, Peter. Regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie, re your question at the end of the video - Smarthand , which is part of the Train Controller suite, will be the way to go. No wires as it uses wifi to connect to the computer running TC - Works on smart phones, laptops. ipads - it uses a unique URL in your browser.
Thanks mate, you’re not the 1st to suggest it. I have downloaded the program and will give it a bash this morning. Regards, Charlie
I do like the plan Charlie, and also the idea of historic track evidence from the steam era. I'd be after a little maintenance shed for the shunter I think. Great work!
Thanks Edward, I’m so pleased that you found the video interesting. Lots of scope, regards Charlie set
Great plan, the very diminished Weymouth station plan a good example.
Thanks DJB, there are so many options. Regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie. Just an idea, I would do away with the two points within the two tracks at the end of the goods yard area so you can run longer goods trains to the buffers, an then introduce a double slip at the beginning of the three goods yard lines, the fourth outlet on the double slip can then be to a head shunt away from the good yard area, if that makes sense. You would need a dedicated loco for your yard. Further tracks could be added within the yard, so instead of three lines, you could have six perhaps, anyway, just a thought for you.
Friends could operate the goods yard completely independently of the station.
Regards. Dave Pearce.
Thanks David, for some excellent suggestions. Regards, Charlie
Looks good! I think less-is-more is a good plan for the trackage. Gives the scenery room to breathe. Looking forward to part 2.
Thanks mate, it’s great to have you on board. Regards Charlie
What a splendid Chadwick video, Charlie. It's got everything we might expect: turning a bookcase into a bookcase, the phone going, periscopes, adjusting Lee's track planning, etc. 😀
Actually thought you were going to take the bookcase apart to use it as baseboards for the branch station.😀
I have to admit I got a bit twitchy when you said you were (probably?) going to lose all access to one quadrant of Helix 1. Might be worth thinking about how you might be able to retain access in emergencies. I even wondered if there was sufficient ceiling height to make the two new boards hinge upwards at the sink end. Sod's law dictates that if you make some provision for access, you'll not need it, but if you don't, you will need it three days after you've completed all scenic work on the branch station ...
Track plan looks reasonable to me. I thought the raised houses looked better than the track level houses, though there's no reason that first terrace couldn't be jacked up in the same way. Raise them up high enough, or make them imposing enough, and you could even hide the houses on the backscene.
One immediate thought on the track plan/platform layouts as you mentioned parcels: thinking about to the 70s when we had to go and collect parcels from the station that was the actual station, not a separate office in the former goods yard (which, along with the coal yards, by then was just waste ground). Also, as you mentioned Weymouth, I had to go and have a look at the maps.nls.uk website, and rather than a goods platform as you'd laid out, Weymouth had a goods shed (where B&Q is now) with a through line on the 1947 OS map (on earlier maps, the goods shed had two through lines with cattle pens on the north side). Also from the old maps, it appears the station building wasn't across the end of the tracks as it is now, as the tracks extend beyond what was presumably a canopy almost right up to the road; so the entrance must have been on the side, presumably between the passenger lines and the goods lines. Not saying that you should copy any real location or time slavishly, but it is another possible inspiration, maybe?
Thanks Andrew, for such an interesting comment. I do apologise for the lateness of this comment. Clearly yours has slipped through the net! It is very interesting looking back at how the station once was. Take care, regards, Charlie
Another great video, Charlie. I look forward to seeing the new station completed. Kind regards, and I look forward to your next video.
That’s most kind Mark.
Regards Charlie
The couple of houses up the ramp at 15:15 remind me of Coronation Terrace, opposite Truro Station. (I stayed in "Digs" there back in 1965.)
Great memories, no doubt Tony. Regards, Charlie.
I like the station with mk2 houses, on the goods yard might I suggest looking pre-diesels on which locos which would have worked the goods into the yard on a branch line, ie 0-6-0, 0-6-2 tank loco's taking it your GWR (BR-W) based which might be the head shunt limit!. Also take a look at some old goods shed photos most of which were single rail inside with road vehicles the other side, a old Hornby goods shed recovered in brick plasticard might work well, not forgetting a weighbridge with said hut. I remenber as a child going down to the coal office with my mother to order the next couple of hundered weight of coal in the 70's!! I look forward to the next stage of your build Charlie
Thanks VH, I’m so pleased that you found it interesting. Regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie
I like the housing next to the station
Thanks Craig, regards, Charlie
Great video as always.
Thanks mate, regards Charlie
Nice one Charlie, interesting to hear your thinking. You mention that the station building (placeholder) is too big- that depends! Weymouth used to be so much bigger: they replaced the buildings with something small (and ugly) when it was ‘rationalised’. The same happened at Dorchester South, but Dorchester West (which you will know) still retains its original building, which is bigger than either- mostly now rented out as a Pizza Shop. So if the building you use is old it needs to be big, but if it’s new it should be small with large car park area built on the old space.
I’m in Dorchester if you fancy a coffee and a nose around what I’m building. Early stages, but some different approaches.
Excellent advice, Dorset Bear, and much appreciated. Regards, Charlie
The idea is quite good and interesting using the helix space. The space you have left could you put an abandoned siding with a couple of coaches being restored ?? Always enjoy your videos.
Thanks Guy, I’m so pleased that you found the video interesting. Regards Charlie
As always, a very interesting and polished presentation. Plenty to consider here, delivered with your usual warmth and candidness. Even just placing some urban infrastructure temporarily in place, the progress of the layout continues. As for the bookcase, what a quirky and useful solution. It's always a happy Friday when we get an email alert of another quality Chadwick production. Excellent. Nige
Thanks Nige , you’re very kind. I’m so pleased you enjoyed it, it was a great video to produce too. Regards Charlie
Hey Charlie, thank you for another fun video. Here is my little suggestion, add a 3rd passenger line to branch station to create a passing loop with track two. The station would have been built that way originally and then they would have add track 1 / dock platform in modern times. For the goods side i would add a single track for the yard shunter / engine shed. Just my thoughts and really enjoy the videos. Thanks again Mat
Thanks Mat, you make an excellent suggestion. Regards, Charlie
Charlie, another great video, and update.
I was very worried when your cunning plan involved power tools, sometimes that does not end well. BUT, your modified bookcase was a real winner, great job, and a great solution to both storage, and functionality.
I am liking your plan for the branch station and goods yard, I am not very familiar with "ye olde english" stations, but you appear to be heading in the right direction.
Thank you for sharing, cheers, and stay safe, Michael
Thanks Michael, for such a heartwarming comment. Regards, Charlie
Nice work Charlie
Thanks Robert, regards Charlie
Another great update Charlie nice conversion with the book shelf I was impressed! Love the branch line station and freight yard beginnings keep up the great work mate!
Thanks Alan, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it. Regards, Charlie
Great video Charlie as always. Look forward to watching the development of the station and goods area. Cheers!
Thanks Warren, I’m so pleased that you found it interesting. Regards Charlie
That was a great cunning plan. As always, the video was a great watch, Charlie 👍
Thanks Jeff, I’m so pleased that you found it interesting. Regards Charlie
The plan looks great Charlie
Nick Australia
Thanks Nick, I’m so pleased you’re with me on my journey. Regards, Charlie
All looks good so far! i'd add a headshunt going away from the freight sidings so that shunting operations can take place without affecting passenger traffic, and somewhere for larger locos to wait while the outward train is put together. (or a shunter to wait while a new train arrives)? A further uncoupler on the track where you're building new trains to go out too, so you can shunt easier? Cheers. Mike
An excellent suggestion, Mike. Regards, Charlie
Rather like a friendly yokel who's been stopped and asked for directions and replies 'I wouldn't start from here', I feel that a carpenter wouldn't have started with a pre-made case , however, that looked like a very serviceable, and well thought through solution: nothing that requires an apology! I enjoyed this weeks video very much, and love how the branch line extension is shaping up.
Thanks Tony, that’s very kind of you to say so. Regards, Charlie
I'm so in need of your skills n knowledge
Sorry Jonathan, they’re not for hire! Regards, Charlie
@@ChadwickModelRailway 🤣👍
On the computer fronr what you might need is a small "mesh" wifi set-up exclusive to Chadwick. Visitors with laptops could then be given the p/w and then become "peers" on the local network (if that is compatible with Train Controller naturally). Other option would be to run a bit of CAT5 computer cable around to the far end to make up a physical connection.
By sheer coincidence, I do have a mesh in that room. Regards, Charlie
I used to work on carriage maintenance in the 70s and one region seemed ro have working periscopes for much longer than other regions and that was the Southern region. Certainly a lot of their brakes had working periscopes into the mid 70s.
Brilliant info SP, regards Charlie
Morning Charlie. Like what you are doing with this station area. Just a thought - Think if you left the buildings as they are at the back then I would consider swinging the railway out so it is not so parallel with the road or better still just swing the goods yard out so all is not looking so parallel and give a bit of room for a goods shed with road access next to the passenger line. Worth a try as you have the room and can avoid the railway looking as though it is restrained by the background line. All the best, John
Thanks John, excellent proposal. Regards, Charlie
another very interesting video Charlie great carpentry skills bookshelf looks fab under layout and when you moved the bookshelf we got to see the layout in full size which is looking amazing
Thanks Geoffrey, I’m so pleased that you found the video entertaining. Regards, Charlie
Its interesting not only to see what you are going to do, but also your ideas and thought processes on your future projects. I like the raised houses and wall section idea, and you have room between the platform line and the wall for a disused head-shunt line too. Looking forward to the next one!
Thanks David, so many choices and so little time! Regards, Charlie
Memories of Weymouth as a child and the Harbour Tramway , steam 136? Tank engines. Like your ideas
Happier times perhaps. Regards, Charlie
Charlie,
Though I'm not a TRAIN CONTROLLER expert, I am a Helix to Hell whiz.
A thought about your access to the inner sphere of this Helix. Make the branch line roadbed removable.
This will intail some track changes.
For this example I will be calling the rectangular board "A" & the rounded board "B". How original!
So with both boards where they meet with the existing board end the trackage there with Copper Conductivity strips. Tracks on all three boards would be shoulder to the strips. Board "B" would have a curved switch to access two tracks with a narrow platform it ??could?? end slope near the rear of the station. The inside "B" track would closely parallel the joint between boards "B" & "A". But it would be on the "B" board that you would build any desired fencing.
Board "A" could continue it's current design with the obvious exclusion the the goods yard would be on the "B" side.
For visual reference attach the station and garage at the joint of "A" board. And the fencing on "B".
Now whenever you need to access the Helix core you clear the loose items, lift each board out of the way, and climb in. YUCH!
OH! And as for track cleaning, of my train clubs share TRACK CLEANING THURSDAYS. Each week we give sections of track a serious going over. And as a group we strongly agree that track cleaning vehicles are a must. But don't forget a monthly BRIGHT BOY. And a Bi-Monthly metal wheel cleaning. (F.Y.I. we do total Locomotive maintenance semiannually.). Which brings me to this conclusion. Consider in the future doing an episode on scheduling. How often back office tasks NEED to be accomplished. SO MARK YOUR CALENDARS.
Jim in N.Y.
What an excellent comment, Jim. I use the first of the month to do my track cleaning and do the lot in one go!
If only I had a diagram of your track proposal.
Regards Charlie
Keep it as is, more is less. You should then concentrate on the scenics which makes things come to life.
Railway modelling is always a compromise isn’t it John. Regards, Charlie
Charlie; 1st; well done with the "New" bookcase. 2nd; personally, I prefer the houses as depicted at the end of the video. This leaves room for a road and car parking beside the retaining wall rather than put another wall alongside the tracks - I'd put a fence there. 3rd; I'd opt out of the platform between the two freight tracks - Not something you would see very often in the States. Install the switch as you show at abt the 17 minute mark then once on the new board, run at a 45 degree angle to the runaround / storage tracks and have some sort of industrial building, e.g. a multi level warehouse / production building. This gives you some more flavor to the area plus enables roads / parking / hillside to be added to finish out the area.
Many thanks DH, some very interesting suggestions. It’s nice to have the space which causes the dilemma!
Still, time is on my side and I’m sure a workable option will prevail.
Regards, Charlie
OMD 😮 Power packed Episode Charlie! From Carpentry to Comms & Track plans to Town planning, Even a Bonus Freight movement - You’ve deffo got it All Goin on M8 😂😂 👏🏻Thanks for all your Hard work 👏🏻✨
Thanks Donni, that’s most kind of you to say so mate. Regards, Charlie
Good day, I use Train Controller add on Smarthand with old iPads I picked up, which cost about $50us each. I was fortunate enough that the iPads came with stands that I made mounts for on the layouts facia. Happy to send photos if you’d like. It all works great.
Ron, that would be wonderful. Could you send them to Chadwickmodel railway@gmail.com.
Great video Charlie. It is so helpful to learn about the thought process of coming up with a configuration on a blank space that will be both realistic and interesting to use, particularly aiming to keep some open space… Thank you! 👍
Thanks A70, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it. Regards, Charlie
Look Awesome Charlie
Thanks Christopher, so pleased that you enjoyed it. Regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie, Firstly my original post has disappeared, hopefully you get this one.
It’s good to see your progress on the branch line.
The solution to multi user may well be something called Smart Hand Mobile by the TrainController guys, which is maybe more of what you are looking. Something to research via a trail download and user manual, Charlie. Best, Jason.
Hi Jason, I haven’t seen your original post so I’m unaware of where that went. Yes other people have suggested smart hand. A product I was completely unaware of. I shall do some digging around today but its suitability seems to be spot-on. Regards Charlie
Looking great Charlie, like the plan and as you say the buildings will drive the width of a platform. Your book shelf looks great also, very enjoyable.
Thanks four oaks, I’m so pleased that you found it interesting. Regards, Charlie
Lovely stuff as always, Charlie. Looking forward to seeing this develop.
Thanks mate, I’m so pleased that you found it interesting. Regards Charlie
I like the front-on housing across a road along the station wall - seems very prototypical. I think if you're going with a station in that orientation though you'll need a very different station building - that one doesn't look right at all in that orientation to the tracks.
Yes, Richard, the Station building choice will be a challenge I think. Regards, Charlie
@@ChadwickModelRailway The only branchline terminus I can think of near me is Sheerness-on-Sea, but that's built slightly to the side as tragically in 1971 the inevitable happened to the older structure. I'm sure there must be prototypes that could be used as a basis for a bit of kit bashing though.
really enjoy these videos - brilliant as always
You’re too kind WD. Regards Charlie
Not sure if anyone has already mentioned it. You will need to extend the platform to fit a 3 car DMU into the station. There is no room for any kind of buffer stops or human error in stopping without leaving part of a coach outside the station.
Yes, Martin, you’re bang on the money. Regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie. My two pennerth for what it’s worth is really to say you need somewhere to act as a holding ground for a few wagons otherwise your incoming vehicles would need to be the outgoing vehicles. Think from the point of view that today is Saturday and your expecting goods coming into the station on Monday to be shipped out first thing Tuesday. If you had a few wagons in a yard they could be pulled alongside the loading dock ready for loading Monday and even then moved back to a siding in the yard ready to be put into an outgoing train on Tuesday. I’d feel inclined to lose a bit of the space between the passenger and goods lines to give you more yard space which wouldn’t detract massively from the countryside area. Aesthetically 2 extra lines would be pleasing especially if they were curved. Just my opinion of course. It is after all your train set and it’s what pleases you that matters. Brian
Thank you, Brian, you make an excellent suggestion. Regards, Charlie
Look forward to seeing this develop Charlie 👍
Thanks Alan, I’m so pleased you’re enjoying my journey. Regards, Charlie
Hi young(ish) Charles.
Great idea for the extended diorama.
Leave the houses at the back where they are as they hide the ‘O Gauge' rooftops on the backdrop.
Also, to be politically correct, make a bay in the car park for vehicles needing wheelchair access to the station. And maybe even a bay for a single decker bus stop or a taxi rank.
Apart from that, the whole arrangement looks very feasible so, crack on with the extension while the idea is still fresh in your mind.
Incidentally, some green space at the front would be aesthetically pleasing by providing some balance against all the railway lines and buildings so perhaps a small park with a children’s play area would suffice. Just a thought.
Paul. 👍❤️
Thanks Paul, for your excellent suggestions. Regards, Charlie
Lovely episode, Charlie.
Thanks BD, so pleased that you enjoyed it. Regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie, Another entertaining video.
I think most of these points have been raised by others but here goes anyway
Slew the passenger lines across about 15 to 20 degrees, this will create room for a parcels bay in the vee behind the station and also allow a little more length to the platforms (do you need two platforms?) Many branches coped with a single platform and bay with a loop on the main platform road for freight arrivals. The station buildings and parking area would then fit comfortably along the back of the main platform and the extra length would allow the occasional running of 'excursions' of loco hauled stock at least 4 or maybe 5 BRMK1s coaches.
I think you need a short headshunt (mainly to allow shunting without affecting passenger operations and to provide a place to park a shunter) even though the station probably would not justify a full time shunter in reality but we all have too many locos.
I think a long siding parallel to the loop is needed mainly for remarshalling out bound freights - could also be used as a carriage siding if you want to run excursions.
You then need the main unloading siding with a crane and loading bank (platform)/goods shed.
At least one more siding is needed - the obvious traffic would be coal - another possibility is some kind of private siding like a mail order warehouse - more vans and parcels vehicles - or possibly an animal feedstock and agricultural supply warehouse.
You could consider singling the line immediately after the junction as I don't think traffic on the branch would warrant double track unless you plan to run an intensive suburban service (this would also create a bit of room for the headshunt)
To summarise the station would then look something like this from the backscene
Bay Platform (3 coach length) with parking and houses beyond
Main Platform (5 coach length)
Loop line (5coach/15 short wagon length) with head shunt back towards the junction and short stub siding at the terminus end
Marshalling siding/coach siding
Unloading siding
Industry/coal siding
The main platform road, loop, marshalling siding and unloading siding would all be parallel with the industry/coal siding slewed further out towards the front of the board.
I assume the station will be operated from the front of the board/helix so shunting manoeuvers should not be too far from the operator.
Freight operations would then be freight arrives in loop, loco runs around and collects outgoing freight from the marshalling siding and departs leaving the shunter to handle the recently arrived train and make up the next departure. If no dedicated shunter is employed the freight loco would shunt and assemble the outgoing train itself. Excursions would mainly run on the weekend when there is no freight. The shunter would run out from the main engine shed light engine (or with a shunters truck and brake van) each morning and return in the evening.
Keep up the good work and I look forward to your final design.
Cheers Jon
Thanks Jonathan, but is there any chance that you could send me a photo if you draw out the Track Plan? You can send it to chadwickmodel railway@gmail.com. Regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie,
I would have a right hand point coming off the line 2, assuming its platform 2 where your Blue 101 is and make that a spare siding that stops a little bit short of the terminus station, that would give yo a extra place to store a spare loco with coaches or even a engineers train, or just have a a disused siding with really rusty and wonky rails, I think you need a piece track in there even if it doesn't do anything. The buildings mmmmmmm....... I actually liked the Metcalf turned around so that the back yards were at the back scene. Also I saw what you meant with the other option and it gives the retaining wall idea, personally I would go with the first option, its a bit more work but I think it could look just as good if not better. Love the videos and good luck with your choices.
Jonathan.
Thanks Jonathan, I do value your input. Regards, Charlie
Very much enjoyed the video. The loading dock will be an excellent edition to add "operational interest."
For what it's worth, I'd add the addtional siding, as most loading area designs in the real world seemed to belong the "Can't have too many sidings" doctorine in order to accommodate two goods trains needing attention that have arrived simultaneously. I guess you could give the additional siding the overgrown/neglected/little used feeling, which is/was also common at such places.
Thanks Stephen, an excellent suggestion. Regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie,
A very nice video as always and I hope you have some good track plan input. I just thought I would mension that as you said KD's do not work on curved track with the uncouplers very true but it is possible with the delayed uncouplers to separate your wagons on a straight and then push them on to a curved line.
Cheers Robert.
Thanks Robert, for an excellent reminder. Regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie. Love your bookcase idea. 👍👍
Yes, it was a wicked idea. Regards, Charlie
Very good Charlie. Have a great weekend mate :)
Thanks Nigel, much appreciated. Regards, Charlie
Well done with the bookshelf conversion... nicely done... very tidy. and an interesting development Charlie in regards to your intended expansion... Might I suggest a yard specific signal box (probably not the correct terminology) or control tower, and a storage holding facility such as a warehouse securable/enclosed or even an open air yard or both? What would the facility handle in nature of freight/cargo. Machinery, Dry goods, Foodstuffs requiring refrigeration, Livestock, Gases and liquids, building and/or hazardous materials? You might also consider enabling road traffic to enter the rail yard so as to expedite cargo transfers between rail and road.. I'm looking forward to how this grows.
Excellent suggestions NDV, and much appreciated. Regards Charlie
Great video. The bookcase placement is a good idea. Not so much M.F.I. more a case of M.F.B. (made from bits) enjoyed content roll on 195 Thank you
Thanks Robert, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it. Regards Charlie
Like the photo of the 47 as it passes my home depot Canton Cardiff as it heads East
Thanks DD, much appreciated. Regards, Charlie.
Brilliant video Charlie..love your planning process ..which is something I really enjoy myself...keep up the great work.
Thanks Graham, that’s very kind of you to say so.
Hi Charlie that's a great looking idea, especially the houses. Have you considered putting the goods area at an angle so a train coming in to unload might kick off at, say a 25 degree angle and stay at that angle? It might make better ise of thd space and you could have a retaining wall taking a chunk out of the adjacent hillside another idea is if its mid to late 60s there would be a lot of open ground with remnants of lifted track and maybe a derelict goods shed on a disconnected siding, while the newer loading area looks more modern in comparison. It'd be a great way to put in details and make the yard into its own moving diorama
Thanks DJ, for some excellent suggestions. Regards, Charlie
Great video as always Charlie.
Thanks mate, I’m so pleased that you found it interesting. Regards Charlie
As a person with more than a fair share of casework carpentry in my resume that was a splendid adaptation of that bookcase.
Thanks mate, it did turn out rather well. Regards, Charlie