You know, this video here is the PERFECT example why so many of us accross the pond watch Charlie. Honest, straight forward and down to earth a GOOD man. God Bless You Charlie, you truly are a man after my own heart!
Charlie this is an excellent video. This is the reason you are such a respected and sucessful railway modeller. You show us what to do and what not to do. Brilliant. Thank you.
Charlie, my old woodwork teacher always told me there is no such thing as a mistake. They are "learning opportunities". Excellent video, and a great reflection on how far Chadwick has evolved
Regarding wooden sleepers on your main lines - there is a very good argument for keeping them. I'm a track Patrolman for Network Rail and the last section of mainline, bullhead, wooden-sleeper, jointed track didn't get taken out near me until early 2021. I was on the last patrol before the renewal - it was nearly all 1936 dated LMS chairs! If you have an area which you consider to have been 'remodelled' by BR, then that would probably be on 110 or 98lb Flatbottom with concretes, but the cash-strapped BR did leave a lot unchanged. Obviously, if you want concretes that's a different matter, but it would not be 'unprototypical' to have woods.
Just for the record; Two steps forward and one step back (standard model railway practice) is at least progress! Thanks for letting us learn from your mistakes, I am happy to return the favour sometime as i have made quite a few myself... One of the main attractions of your channel is that it is real modelling, that is with the mistakes left in. This is why so many watch your videos and of course the fact that the video / editing is of the highest quality.
Buy stuff you don’t need , surely not 😮 I have reduced my collection by 50%, More focused on era, area and quality 👍 Still gotta hold myself back regularly. Great honest videos, very “human” thanks for all you do for our hobby.
That was thoroughly enjoyable and kept me up waaaaaay past my bedtime! The best parts were you on top of your fiddle yard working on the wiring, the tortoise switch motors on your helix, and you laughing at yourself -- you had me laughing, too! You are a wonderful evangelist for model railroading. Keep up the good work.
Charlie, I love the fact that you are so honest and open in your videos. Anybody who is willing to admit faults and show errors scores high marks in my books. Your material is alway presented in such a way that makes it informative and enjoyable to watch. Keep up the great work! Charlie from the USA.
Hi Charlie. Just wanted to say how great it was to meet you at the Ally Pally show. Talking about the phone interrupting your videos. You look much taller on camera. Love your content, tongue in cheek humour.
Love the warts and all. As my old Foreman Joiner said to the apprentice (me), if you never made a mistake, you never made anything. It's how you get round them is the skill. Keep sharing the videos, Charlie 👍
Charlie, I truly enjoy your videos and have learned a lot from them, I am anxious to see your next video with the installation of your larger computer screen. Thank you (Frank, Houston Texas)
Charlie, I agree with all the sentiments expressed in the comments. Honesty and learning from mistakes is the key to future success. From the man, who realised the first job was to go back to improving the location meaning everything had to be dismantled to go forwards again!
In COVID lockdown, I was 'encouraged' by my wife to clear the loft. Having a large 7m x 4m man shed in the garden, I promptly decided to build a train table, dig out my old Triang models and start a layout. Watched many videos, and decided DCC was the way to go, but replace rusty Series 3 track with Peco 100. A flurry of activity followed, sticking down track, soldering droppers, buying the Digikeijs modules (which never came out of the boxes), and multiple block detection settings. Eventually I realised things had been all done back to front. Far too ambitious I couldn't get under the table as both knees are knackered. Nor could I reach the back of the tables as the 1200mm depth was too much and my weight lying on top of laid track wasn't feasible. Nor had I kept a record of just how many secondhand locos I'd bought!!! In counting them I realised how much it would cost to buy decoders and the time needed to service each loco etc. I ended up selling all the Digikeijs stuff, most of the secondhand locos! My youngest grandson has a large bedroom so awaits one table as soon as I can get it out of the shed - it'll need some track re-working. Oh, and a DC power supply as I don't quite trust all the DC transformers I have! Once he gets the 1200x2400mm table, I'll be left with the decision of what to do with the remaining table...or maybe I should give up and take up a more sedentary hobby, like, um, shopping for tomatoes. The lesson has been to spend much more time planning practicalities!!! But I still admire what you've achieved!
Morning Charlie, well that’s what really happened, video outtakes and then the planned mistakes…. It true that we all learn from each other’s mistakes or under planning. The truth of limited purchases outside your layout is so true. Sounds good at the moment but then after a little time realise the truth behind the purchases. Thankyou agin for a great video, until the next. All best Marc from Leighton buzzard
Charlie, it's a case of "if I was going to Dublin, I wouldn't start here". I'm so glad you highlighted the problem with point motor and track. It's exactly the type of thing I do. Hindsight is a fine art. That's the problem with an evolutionary approach.
Best thing about making mistakes is that the world generally still goes round the next day (just avoid the red button! 😉) and you can always brush yourself off and start all over again 😊 I made so many mistakes over the years I could probably have made a whole extra layout with the time I have had to spend putting things right! But as you say, it’s all part of the process. Hell, even Raphael had to make sketches before he started a painting…though I have to say his bad was a ton better than my good 🤣😂😅 Cheers Charlie. It was a brave thing to change it all around but it really does seem to have all been worth it 😎🍀👍🍻
I totally agree that this is a fantastic video and it’s great information for everyone. I would say, as a guy with autism, you could plan everything before you construct, you could spend years before you build anything and as you said as we get older we may not have the time to get everything A1. Just keep smiling even when we make a mistake. A mistake is something to enjoy the fix. All the best…
Very informative and reminds me when i made mistakes with placing points under my baseboard. I was so proud of it had managed only to realise that I had drilled the holes in the wrong place - not only time consuming but my board was beginning to look like Swiss cheese. Hay ho i wont be making that mistake again. Thanks Charlie for the video.
Charlie, this was the best model railroad video I have seen in a long time. In life we often learn the most from our mistakes and I can say that is certainly true with my own layout. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you Charlie for your honesty and helping us all learn from our mistakes, it's all part of the joy of building a model railway layout. As mentioned already a shift video on fitting Kadee couplings to Bachmann MK1 coaches would really be useful as the height of the coupling is wrong. I look forward to your next video.
Hi Simon, when Bachmann brought out their range of Bulleid coaches, I assembled the coaches in rakes of 3 of 4 coaches per set and coupled them together in the sets with Kadee couplings mounted at the correct Uk height of 3 ft 5 1/4 inches, at the coupling hook height on the buffer beams. Subsequently Hornby brought out their range of Maunsell coaches fitted with NEM coupling pockets that allows the fitting of Kadee couplings at the height of the North American railroad couplings of 33.5 inches which is incorrect, but easier to fit.
As expected wen I saw the title , a honest example of how many mistakes we make trying to get things right. Never mind Charlie if plan A doesnt work there is always another 25 letters to uses
Hi Charlie, learnt so much from you over the years. Such an important point about getting clear about the where and the where of the layout, as it can save you an absolute fortune. Thanks
Building a layout (or several versions of one) is a hobby for a lifetime. Each development hopefully brings entertainment and enjoyment - and hopefully our skills improve too!
Thanks Charlie for producing such a thought provoking video. We all learn as we get older, and as you say we learn from our earlier mistakes. When I first started in this hobby I constructed a tail chaser, with a :duck under". Well that was okay as I was in my early fifties, then as the years went on I was not ducking down enough, thereby hitting my head to often, so then it was a matter of crawling under on hands and knees, then came knee replacements. Time for a complete rethink. I eventually came up with a dog-bone type configuration. At 85 next month I now simply walk in, no ducking and weaving so too speak.. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, so I would say to anyone thinking of building a layout give a lot of thought as to how you will be operating the layout in say thirty or forty years down the track. Cheers Greg
Superb video, Charlie. Lots of echoes from my experience there. My main lessons learned from 50 years of railway modelling are: 1) Rule 1 applies at all times: it's your layout, do what you want. 2) Even higher up the list of rules than Rule 1 is "you can never have too much on-track storage" 3) Don't throw the boxes away. When you do want or need to get rid of stuff, people will pay pennies for stuff they'd pay pounds for if it were in its box. But with regard to 1) above, you're absolutely right: sticking to a tight prototype and time frame will save you lots of money. building Another lesson I've learned, but never actually done any follow-up learning on (but hope I will when I finally get round to a new layout) is: particularly if your space is limited, learn how to build your own points and crossings, so that you're not stuck with the big manufacturers geometries. For example, I eventually managed to find space for a four track junction: with Peco large radius points, that takes up a lot of room, and every photo I have of it is marred by a kink in one of the tracks that needed to to diverge at a slightly steeper angle that the rest. Another example is that back in the late 60s, a friend of my dad hand built a curved double crossover with double slips (also gently curved) at one end: it fitted the space perfectly, was a thing of beauty, was all live frogs before they were common and was the one piece of trackwork that in over 50 years never gave the slightest problem.
I do understand your point of you Andrew. However, for me time is too precious and to construct hand build points, and I certainly don’t have the skills, regards, Charlie
As someone who has just dismantled his first layout as it was an electrician's nightmare which looked as though it had been constructed by a spider on acid, I found several aspects of this video which will prevent me from making time consuming errors. Thank you Charlie.
You learn by your mistakes, how true this is Charlie. I can remember whilst serving my apprenticeship the mechanics I worked with would let me (sometimes) make mistakes, wonder why items would not work or fit together properly only to be then told where I had gone wrong and then left to see if I could rectify my mistakes. I was told this was the best way to learn !!! Fully agree with your comment about buying `wrong stock`, I brought items that I thought looked good only to find that they do not fit in with the era I am modelling, thank god for that on-line selling/buying site. I had a little laugh to myself when you mentioned `just jobs` "it will only take me a couple of hours love" two days later I finish it! You have my greatest sympathy with regarding your knees I had to retire somewhat early due to mine, hot and cold compressions helps. Thanks for sharing this video take care regards Barry..
Warts and all. Lovely to be able to add your learning curve to mine. Half the time I was muttering ‘Yeah, done that. The rest of the time I was thinking ‘well, that’s one to avoid’ Thanks Charlie, you saved me some angst. 😃
Charlie you and I are pretty close in age. I honestly don’t think of whether I can finish my layout in my lifetime. If I do then great. If not I had fun doing it. Love your vids.
As someone brought up in the Tri-ang era and to whom even analogue was (and remains) complicated, I can only marvel at the complexity of your wiring and control systems. Despite my bewilderment at whatever's going on below the baseboard I always thoroughly enjoy these videos though, and really appreciate the self-deprecating and humorous style. Many thanks for sharing your wisdom!
Hi Charlie. Thank you for your very honest walts and all account of the evolution of Chadwick, and sharing the challenges. This clearly proves that building a model railway is a steep learning curve.
Hi Charle. Yet another brilliant and helpful "warts n'all" video. Being an absolute beginner 14 months ago hit the ground running to build a layout by using a Hornby track mat and their 5 part "how to" videos, didn't know you were around then! Massive mistake laying ballast before track! Just about got over the suffering .lol Keep the videos coming and now look forward to the Swift's, well done mate!
I like your video's Charlie, wart's and all! Show me someone that's not made a mistake, and chances are, they've not made anything! To use the old service adage; Fail to plan, then plan to fail! Keep up the good work Charlie. Cheers...Les.
Cracking video and very interesting, I’m now on my fifth version of my layout but the mistakes I’ve made and things I’ve learnt over the last few years have proved invaluable.
Hi Charlie. Mistakes, now hands up anyone who hasn't made them. As I thought no hands 😉 It was interesting to hear you say you were going to put in a monitor. I have a monitor coming hopefully on Monday. Now that might be a good subject for a quickie video. Maybe when your friend comes over to help you might have a camera rolling to see you put in the new monitor. You can always mute the sound so that we don't hear the air turn blue Tony.
Cheers Charlie, Good video. Most of those errors I have indeed made however I seem to be able to repeat some over and over! Mind you as I get older I give a lot of time to thinking through the jobs so much I don't get started.
What a great video sir, just took down half of my layout last week, and glad I did it, wasn't to the scenery stage yet so, basically track work and bench work, did planning and making sure I had room for the things I wanted,it was a stand inside and run around affair, but I did have a swing gate, but as you said about the amount of track you really want to put on something like that, I had 2 lines, on mine, but it did limit,or dictate what you could put on it, or around it, same thing though, when you needed something you went through the gate, and also the bench work turned into a shelf when you were working along the wall area, so I'm just going along the wall which I my case is a good size, and learning from what I just had, I like the backdrop industries/ shallow relief buildings, , I have put in time money, hours building what I just took down, planning and twerking the track plan, laying awake at night, trying to solve a problem,and coming up with something, but I feel like I'm moving in the right direction, still love the hobby, and also I think a person's likes and dislikes change, I have a ton of kits from my father that need building, and with the room I'm saving I can roll out another workbench, I did plan and had enough room for my main workbench before I took down the middle of the layout, but it was cramped, enough rambling, good topic, always like your stuff, you lose me in the electrical department, still use toggle switch block system, and the knees, know all about it, I'm reminded every day at work when I got to climb in my engine, yes even the engineers get bad knees! God bless, keep em coming
Knowing other people’s mistakes always makes one feel better about your own mistakes! I’m up to my 5th board layout, getting bigger each time, with previous ones not entirely finished. Because there’s a point where you know that a mistake is fundamentally because your vision is different from the physical thing you have done. Also, I love “what an absolute nugget!” and “that’s the sound of freedom”. Amen.
Thank you Charlie for yet another borh educational and entertaining video. We all make mistakes, but not all are big enough to admit them. You have all my respect. Greetings from Sweden 🇸🇪.
Fascinating to see how the new Chadwick has evolved. An idea for one of your ‘Swift’ videos prompted by your mention of lack of clearance for under board point motors - the availability/choice of surface-mount point motors?
As usual, a very useful video Charlie. My layout is 2.8 mtrs x 2.6 mtrs. I have a lift up flap as at 69 years, I’m not up to crawling on hands and knees 😂. My lift up has 4 tracks running across it and part of a Station. It took some trial and error to get it the hinges in just the right place and get the gaps in the rails as close as possible. It works without too many stoppages considering I haven’t completed the main bus wires. I will/may eventually get it finished. Currently planning an “N scale” layout from track and rolling stock that was gifted to me
Hi Charlie, another GEM you learn until you are put in a box, may it be a long time from now for us all. Good point on passion purchasers, I've made a few but but still have them all. Rule No 1 for me.
Oh Charlie, haven't we all been there!! The moral of the story is always learn by your mistakes, never look back with regret. There are so many things when building a model railway (and in life) where you just think "oh I wish I'd done this or done that". The video you have produced is so down to earth that most of us can relate to the things you mention. My main regret is wiring, a thing that I wished to have given more thought to and how to make the underside of the baseboard look tidy rather than spaghetti junction! You mention about your track and concrete sleepers and I think you should leave things be as it would look somewhat out of place to have small sections replaced. You would then need to weather it down and to what overall effect? I continually look forward to watching your videos and for the hints and tips you offer. So much so that I have today become a Patreon. Thank you.
We all make mistakes, and your right sharing them helps others, I've tried DCC, failed to go back to DC, ripped up my layout, and built another one. Forward planning is critical, something I've had to do 3 steps or more in advance, sometimes I think you need to be Mystic Meg having to think so far ahead. Great video as always Charlie. Brian.
Well done Charlie, so good. I've made many mistakes like you and hopefully learn't from them. My knees also are saying "enough" and as I didn't have enough room in my shed for a layout I could walk around, I raised layout by 600mm so my "duck-under" became a modest nod of the head and i'm through. Rather than dismantle everything and rebuild though, I used hydraulic jacks and slowly raised the layout section by section, bricking it up until I achieved the correct height. Then I cut and installed new legs and braces. I've now got some more space for a fiddle yard, but of course, wouldn't it have been great to have thought of it first? Love your work. All the best from (sunny) Western Australia.
A really great video 👍 not many people would be so honest and open about their mistakes, but I think that it makes your videos much more watchable because you admit to and show the mistakes (mind you I haven’t heard “that will be the phone” for a while). I have had to sit on my hands to stop myself from buying the APT-E as I model in HO European and North American it really wouldn’t fit in, but in saying that I have half a dozen Hattons class 66’s, half a dozen Accurascale Deltics and a pair of Accurascale class 37’s on order and am fighting with myself every day to not order the 6 new ex Hattons class 66’s from Accurascale (I’m sure that they are trying to bankrupt me) and all in a scale that I have no rolling stock for.😂😂😂
Another cracking video Charlie. It may even make a newsletter in the near future. We all make mistakes, and its the way that we recover from those mistakes that really counts. As you are aware lots of my customers love your videos because you keep your mistakes in, where as some do remove them. Keep them coming as they are very watchable and entertaining.
Fortunately I'm the "bit of everything" modeller; that is, I like having a variety of stock - I have something for most layouts! But I know people who have decided on an era when making a layout and then having to sell old stock since it doesn't fit with what they are doing - and I've often bought their old stock off of them... so a win-win! A fantastic video as always. Thank you for showcasing your layout and process and mistakes. My first layout was the same - a bit of a bodge in places and a couple of lines outright didn't work properly due to bad points! Keep it up Charlie!
Hi Charlie. I know what you mean by be careful what you wish for. I have overcome it by building 2 layouts. I have a tail chaser in the loft that i will probably not see finished in my life time as i only work on it during the summer if it is raining. I then have a small end to end downstairs which i work on in the winter. Apart from some scenic work it is coming on and i can actually run trains on it. If i don't finish the one in the loft it will not be a problem as my grandson is in to model trains and will make good use of it when i am gone. I have found both layouts a steep learning curve and have made many mistakes, maybe i should start a third one to correct them all!
Great video Charlie and I enjoyed reading all the comments. I firmly believe that every day is a school day with this hobby and just reflect that the skills I have developed over the past three years would not have happened without making “mistakes “ along the way. I certainly wouldn’t have got where I am without seeing how you and others have done it yourselves either. So thanks for sharing your thought processes on your build so far. Look forward to seeing more in the future. Roy.
"That'll be the chopper, then.." 😅 I'd agree with the process though, layouts are a bit like a snake shedding it's skin, in a way - your skills grow and you find that your skills have grown and you want to expand! And yes - I've purchased stock that I've regretted almost immediately... But we live and learn! Well done Charles, jolly good!😊
I know we should sit and plan everything before we start. The trouble is that practicalities often catch us out. A good example is point motors and finding that you really do need to have a point sited above the 1" support. The other issue is moving house. In my case, the attic was low and meant that I would have to kneel and then I discover I have no sensation in one of my knees and ended up putting too much weight on it. The alternative room for the layout ended up with a grandson living in it instead. Also trying to adapt an old layout to the new house, which was putting a quart into a pint pot. Thank you for being honest in your videos, because it does mean that others do not make your mistakes. Do you really need to replace your track with concrete sleepers? By the time you have ballasted the track it is difficult to see what the sleepers are. My brother worked as a civil engineer for British Rail in the late 60s onwards. He said that there were much track still on wooden sleepers. Replacement would take place in sections, so it would have depended when the previous replacement took place, how heavy wear was on the track and would be planned in conjunction with continuously welded rail. (Kings were renowned for heavy wear on track, so be careful when running your king) Thanks for another interesting video Charlie.
So build the lower section before the upper one...... NOW YOU TELL ME !! Thanks for the vid Charlie. Good to know that it's not just me. ;-) Keep it up.
I loved this one - reminded me very much of my own goofs and it's reassuring to know others have made the same errors! In truth, none of them are truly mistakes but rather things we look back on and learn from. My layout wiring is truly atrocious, and one of the biggest mistakes I made was building scenery over point work before I'd installed the motors 😂 I did chuckle at 16:54 - have visions of you getting stuck under there and having to be rescued by the Mrs. It may be worth fitting a panic button under each section of baseboard just in case! :)
Thanks Charlie for another great video. At least I’m in good company with respect to a few of the mistakes you highlighted. Accessibility being one of the ones I have fallen foul of. I really need more clearance between the scenic level and my lower level fiddle yard/ return loop. Another mistake I have made is having a gradient on a curve that is too steep for some of my smaller tank locos. Ah well, we live and learn! Regards, David
Hi Charlie - Another great video, as usual. Please don't think your mistakes are in vain, and thank you so much for being open in sharing them, too, as it gives us all a chance to learn. I had planned to just build a big tail-chaser with either a duck-under or flap, but having seeing one of your earlier videos, I had such an epiphany about using helixes instead that me and my knees will be eternally grateful for your content! :)
My Kato track N gaguge , has grown from a few feet to a 9-foot by 4 foot layout and its still growing .. just added a raised section .. stock .. Mmmmm have everthing from my 1960s locos to kato and modern locos... this is an awesome video that eveyone should watch before they start ... having the room is dangerous, You need to build the layout for the room not the other way around LOL
As a mechanical design engineer, I was always told, those who make no mistakes have never built anything and that is so true with modelling. My own layout which is N gauge took a year to design because I made mistakes. Then building it I had to change bits of the plan cause things happen. Another great video and thanks
@@ChadwickModelRailway Hi Charlie, my layout, Lofthaven was featured in Modelrail March 2007 issue. They made a mistake in the plan, they forgot the return loop line. Haha.
Superb video as ever. Thank you. Charlie this series is better than many 3rd level courses. Honest sharing of how and how not is really helpful for both newbies and even others with some milage under their belts. You should be on the BBC, such is the quality of your easy to listen to presentation style, clear, concise, no waffle.
Understand exactly what you mean about time and baseboards. Got all my boards built and then moved house. Couldn't take them with me. As you say it's the time spent building the dam things and having to start over As always a great video.
Most illuminating, as always, as well as entertaining and informative. Your presentation style is excellent, I look forward to your videos eagerly. Thank you Charlie.
No Charlie: you are NOT a buffoon. The only people who never make a mistake are those that don't do anything. On a broader front, no model railway is worth a heart attack or an injury. Two short points; surely the wooden sleeper track is no worse than our couplers; both are lost sight of in the generality of running a system. Arguably not worth worrying about. Second: you use code 100 track. If this is specified to the old BRMBS (or whatever it was) standards, how do you manage with the finer modern standards? My system (dampness not helping) struggles. 'Old' wheel standard replacement wheelsets unavailable(?). Time shortage is stopping me making wheels, and tempt me to ditch the lot. More creative things to do in life, and indeed in our artform, than replacing a million billion wheels on course stock. The odd time I see your channel it is always good; this presentation is no exception. Pete
Thanks for an excellent comment Pete. It’s a fascinating hobby, but the only thing that we cannot have back in life, is time. We must use it wisely. Regards, Charlie
Another great video Charlie. Model railways are great for correcting your own mistakes and to help you learn as you can see the impact of what you've created/changed pretty quickly and mostly things are easy to fix or improve and also great for learning to fault find. I've found so much useful and interesting information from watching you over many videos as the hobby has moved on quite a bit since I last had time to spend on it (more than 20 years ago!). I have to congratulate you on your clear presentation and quality content on so many relevant topics. Honestly, you could base a college course on your video collection! Keep up the great work, Allan
If you never make a mistake, you never make anything. Really interesting video, Charlie. A suggestion for a "shortie". What about something on cleaning loco wheels? Mechanical methods, chemical ones, etc... Regards, Peter
Thanks for this Charlie, I thoroughly enjoyed this video. I appreciate your honesty in highlighting your "learning opportunities" so we can learn as well. I think your double-helix solution is brilliant! Yo've given me some nice ideas to apply to my current build of The Mondovi Line, thanks! - Paul
Fabulous, Charlie, as always. Mistakes are the learning curve for life, I agree. You are such a great role model for me. Very useful advice. Thanks so much, I always look forward to your next video.
A good honest video Charlie, which resonates with my own experience. Building a model railway, like a real one, will be fraught with mistakes. To respond to some of your points, just as people collect art I collect model locos and rolling stock, I guess, and have far more than I need! But I am about to enter the world of eBay with some nice examples I won't run any more. Much prefer to buy old locos and coaches and upgrade them these days. As for ducking under my layout I find knee pads very useful in my ageing state. As for never finishing the layout due to death well that's true of anything seniors engage in. If its unfinished too bad so long as its been fun while you lasted!
A really interesting video Charlie. A colleague of mine was a boat builder and explained to me the concept of ‘critical-path’ in engineering projects (socks on before shoes etc). Great theory but if plans change…. Loved the George Best and ‘sound of freedom’ quotes 👍🏽. Kind regards.
Hi another informative video about the things we do over time to improve our layouts learn from our mistakes where we went wrong and try to correct them l have watched chadwick from video 1 and looked forward to the next one some of the things you have done l have tried to incorporate them into Beighton Parkway Sheffield like you l love my HST’s I have 3 living only metres away from the East Midlands trains mainline saw plenty going to st pancras and back l also like how you don’t edit out your mistakes which shows us that things don’t always work like we would like it to you are a credit to our great hobby and an inspiration so we can try new projects like the new magnetic vacuum couplings from hornby that l mentioned last week tried them on the hst’s better than the tension lock ones l used a soldering iron for the first time in years for my dropper cables used your method black to the back great result Keep safe take care Kev Beighton Parkway Sheffield
Charlie, Have you considered a tortoise remote mounting for those points where planning fell short? Simple enough, wire in tube from point motor to actuator. Bob
I was wondering what happened to that fancy train that you took around old Chadwick, thanks for sharing! I'm looking at getting a passenger train for my layout as well, but I'm also worried that it'll just never get used and not fit in. I don't even have any stations/depots for it and I probably won't. It would be more for a club layout, which I'll be going to my first meeting before too long, so this would definitely be too soon. Great video, thank you for this and your recent Swift video!
Thanks Andrew, I’m so pleased that you found it interesting. Yes I imagine you should hold off on buying that passenger train until you’re established in your club. Regards Charlie
I feel your pain - The knees! As an ex-miner if I get down on my knees without kneepads on, on any surface, I am in a lot of pain. On my layout in our loft the build is mostly done on my knees and I never go up without kneepads on. They have to be good thicker foam the better. On any household job inside or outside the kneepads go on first. In the house I will always grab a cushion even on carpeted floor for quick jobs on my knees. Elbows! When laying track etc I am always on my elbows and have developed problems with my left elbow particularly and now wear cushioned elbow straps also. Ditto. My operator position for controlling my DCC layout (now laptop and extra monitor position) has not changed but the wiring is on its 3rd variation as I have improved it and have split it up into 4 zones. I still keep my Dynamis system in use occasionally but now use a Digikeis DR5000, very versatile system. Great video - thought it was only me going around easing gradients.
We all make mistakes Charlie, and we learn from them, I had a lot of smoke under my layout ones and didn't even had steam engines. Greetings from the Netherlands.
Great video as per. In my case, it is not so much mistakes, but rather finding out about products, usually scenic materials or infrastructure, that would have been much better and more easily installed on the layout at an earlier stage of the build. I returned to model railways after over 35 years away, and it never ceases to amaze me what you can buy these days. A lot depends on the period to be modelled.
You know, this video here is the PERFECT example why so many of us accross the pond watch Charlie. Honest, straight forward and down to earth a GOOD man. God Bless You Charlie, you truly are a man after my own heart!
Thanks Joseph, for such a heartwarming comment. Regards, Charlie
This absolute diamond of a gentleman should have his own TV series, it would beat 90 % of the crap thats on view. Nice one Charlie.
That’s very kind of you to say so Mark. However, I’ll stay in my little room, regards, Charlie
@@ChadwickModelRailway Yep Charlie thats the best idea 👍
As they say, “The man who never made a mistake, Never made anything !!!
Great video, thanks again.
That’s very true, Alan. Take care, regards, Charlie
Charlie this is an excellent video. This is the reason you are such a respected and sucessful railway modeller. You show us what to do and what not to do. Brilliant. Thank you.
Thanks Graham for such a heartwarming comment. Stay safe mate.
Regards Charlie
"The man who never made a mistake never made anything". Very helpful, not to mention honest, video Charlie, thank you.
Thanks Kevin, that’s very kind of you to say so. Regards, Charlie
Charlie, my old woodwork teacher always told me there is no such thing as a mistake. They are "learning opportunities".
Excellent video, and a great reflection on how far Chadwick has evolved
Thanks Malcolm, that’s very kind of you to say so. Regards, Charlie
I’ve got quite a few learning opportunities in the bin 😢
To take that one stage further, I think of a mistake as something you do poorly after knowing a better way, not before.
@@TheRip72 Very true, in my early woodwork days it was measure once then cut twice..doh!
5:34 moment of existential crisis successfully navigated! Great video, as always!
Thanks mate, I’m so pleased that you found it interesting. Regards Charlie
It’s a wise man who recognises his mistakes, it’s a fool who doesn’t learn from them.
Your transparency is very much appreciated and admired.
Thanks AF, regards, Charlie
I love the honesty of this video - it’s not often you find someone willing to admit their mistakes, so I take my hat off to you sir!
Thanks Richard, that’s very kind of you to say so. Regards, Charlie
Regarding wooden sleepers on your main lines - there is a very good argument for keeping them. I'm a track Patrolman for Network Rail and the last section of mainline, bullhead, wooden-sleeper, jointed track didn't get taken out near me until early 2021. I was on the last patrol before the renewal - it was nearly all 1936 dated LMS chairs!
If you have an area which you consider to have been 'remodelled' by BR, then that would probably be on 110 or 98lb Flatbottom with concretes, but the cash-strapped BR did leave a lot unchanged.
Obviously, if you want concretes that's a different matter, but it would not be 'unprototypical' to have woods.
Thanks mate, for such an excellent and informative comment. Regards, Charlie
Just for the record; Two steps forward and one step back (standard model railway practice) is at least progress! Thanks for letting us learn from your mistakes, I am happy to return the favour sometime as i have made quite a few myself...
One of the main attractions of your channel is that it is real modelling, that is with the mistakes left in. This is why so many watch your videos and of course the fact that the video / editing is of the highest quality.
Thanks Paul, that’s very kind of you to say so mate. Regards Charlie
But with me it is usually 3 steps back for every one forward. Cheers!
Buy stuff you don’t need , surely not 😮
I have reduced my collection by 50%, More focused on era, area and quality 👍
Still gotta hold myself back regularly.
Great honest videos, very “human”
thanks for all you do for our hobby.
Thanks Dougal, for such a heartwarming comment. Regards, Charlie
Thanks for another great video.
In the words of the great Bob Ross; “there are no mistakes, just happy accidents.”😂
An excellent comment, Stephen, regards, Charlie
That was thoroughly enjoyable and kept me up waaaaaay past my bedtime! The best parts were you on top of your fiddle yard working on the wiring, the tortoise switch motors on your helix, and you laughing at yourself -- you had me laughing, too! You are a wonderful evangelist for model railroading. Keep up the good work.
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the video Stephen. Stay safe mate, regards, Charlie
Charlie, I love the fact that you are so honest and open in your videos. Anybody who is willing to admit faults and show errors scores high marks in my books. Your material is alway presented in such a way that makes it informative and enjoyable to watch. Keep up the great work! Charlie from the USA.
Thanks Charlie, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the channel. Regards Charlie
Hi Charlie. Just wanted to say how great it was to meet you at the Ally Pally show. Talking about the phone interrupting your videos. You look much taller on camera. Love your content, tongue in cheek humour.
It’s always great to meet Subscriber face-to-face at shows. Stay safe, regards, Charlie
Brilliant Charlie. I’m very inspired by your efforts and honesty!
Thanks Alan, that’s very kind of you to say so. Regards, Charlie.
The Jonny Morris of the model railway world. My favourite channel on UA-cam.
That’s very kind of you to say so, Simon. Stay safe, regards, Charlie
Oh I like that - sounds about right..
Love the warts and all. As my old Foreman Joiner said to the apprentice (me), if you never made a mistake, you never made anything. It's how you get round them is the skill. Keep sharing the videos, Charlie 👍
You had a wise foreman, Geoff. Regards, Charlie
Charlie, I truly enjoy your videos and have learned a lot from them, I am anxious to see your next video with the installation of your larger computer screen. Thank you (Frank, Houston Texas)
I’ll see what I can do Frank.
Regards Charlie
Charlie, I agree with all the sentiments expressed in the comments. Honesty and learning from mistakes is the key to future success. From the man, who realised the first job was to go back to improving the location meaning everything had to be dismantled to go forwards again!
I’m so pleased you enjoyed the video Andy. Good luck with your project, regards, Charlie
In COVID lockdown, I was 'encouraged' by my wife to clear the loft. Having a large 7m x 4m man shed in the garden, I promptly decided to build a train table, dig out my old Triang models and start a layout. Watched many videos, and decided DCC was the way to go, but replace rusty Series 3 track with Peco 100. A flurry of activity followed, sticking down track, soldering droppers, buying the Digikeijs modules (which never came out of the boxes), and multiple block detection settings.
Eventually I realised things had been all done back to front. Far too ambitious I couldn't get under the table as both knees are knackered. Nor could I reach the back of the tables as the 1200mm depth was too much and my weight lying on top of laid track wasn't feasible.
Nor had I kept a record of just how many secondhand locos I'd bought!!!
In counting them I realised how much it would cost to buy decoders and the time needed to service each loco etc.
I ended up selling all the Digikeijs stuff, most of the secondhand locos!
My youngest grandson has a large bedroom so awaits one table as soon as I can get it out of the shed - it'll need some track re-working. Oh, and a DC power supply as I don't quite trust all the DC transformers I have! Once he gets the 1200x2400mm table, I'll be left with the decision of what to do with the remaining table...or maybe I should give up and take up a more sedentary hobby, like, um, shopping for tomatoes. The lesson has been to spend much more time planning practicalities!!! But I still admire what you've achieved!
Wow Ian, what a very painful evolution. Both time and money! Regards, Charlie
Morning Charlie, well that’s what really happened, video outtakes and then the planned mistakes…. It true that we all learn from each other’s mistakes or under planning. The truth of limited purchases outside your layout is so true. Sounds good at the moment but then after a little time realise the truth behind the purchases. Thankyou agin for a great video, until the next. All best Marc from Leighton buzzard
Thanks Marc, I’m so pleased that you found the video interesting. Regards Charlie
More wit and wisdom from Charlie - thanks. Regarding the knees - watch The Great Escape !!
Thanks Brian, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it. Regards, Charlie
Charlie, it's a case of "if I was going to Dublin, I wouldn't start here". I'm so glad you highlighted the problem with point motor and track. It's exactly the type of thing I do. Hindsight is a fine art. That's the problem with an evolutionary approach.
Life is a journey from one disaster to the next, regards, Charlie
Very interesting film, many thanks. You are so right, I’ve bought things over the years which have only run once.
Yes EM, we must stop being attracted to shiny things! Regards Charlie
I'm glad I found this, I'm about to build my first small n gauge layout, thank you for some sound advice.
You’re most welcome, Nathan.
Regards, Charlie
Best thing about making mistakes is that the world generally still goes round the next day (just avoid the red button! 😉) and you can always brush yourself off and start all over again 😊
I made so many mistakes over the years I could probably have made a whole extra layout with the time I have had to spend putting things right! But as you say, it’s all part of the process. Hell, even Raphael had to make sketches before he started a painting…though I have to say his bad was a ton better than my good 🤣😂😅
Cheers Charlie. It was a brave thing to change it all around but it really does seem to have all been worth it 😎🍀👍🍻
Thanks Tim, we shouldn’t hide our mistakes, when all we need to do really, is learn from them. Regards, Charlie
You know what they say Charlie. "A man that doesn't make a mistake, doesn't make anything" Great video as always 👍
Thanks Alan, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it. Regards Charlie
Great video and will help fellow modellers to avoid similar issues.
I wouldn’t bank on it Peter! Regards, Charlie
I totally agree that this is a fantastic video and it’s great information for everyone. I would say, as a guy with autism, you could plan everything before you construct, you could spend years before you build anything and as you said as we get older we may not have the time to get everything A1. Just keep smiling even when we make a mistake. A mistake is something to enjoy the fix. All the best…
Great comment. Someone said “perfect is the enemy of good”. Regards Charlie
Very informative and reminds me when i made mistakes with placing points under my baseboard. I was so proud of it had managed only to realise that I had drilled the holes in the wrong place - not only time consuming but my board was beginning to look like Swiss cheese. Hay ho i wont be making that mistake again. Thanks Charlie for the video.
We’ve all been there Kriso.
Regards Charlie
it's good to share mistakes,because we all make them but most people dont show them,what a great video charlie.
I’m so pleased that you found it interesting Lewis. We all need to be more honest, regards, Charlie
Charlie, this was the best model railroad video I have seen in a long time. In life we often learn the most from our mistakes and I can say that is certainly true with my own layout. Thank you so much for sharing.
That’s very kind of you to say so, Mike. Stay safe, regards, Charlie
Thank you Charlie for your honesty and helping us all learn from our mistakes, it's all part of the joy of building a model railway layout. As mentioned already a shift video on fitting Kadee couplings to Bachmann MK1 coaches would really be useful as the height of the coupling is wrong. I look forward to your next video.
Thanks Simon. I’ll have a look at Kadee’s on Mk1’s. I use the pipe links, keeping the train in fixed rakes. Regards Charlie
Hi Simon, when Bachmann brought out their range of Bulleid coaches, I assembled the coaches in rakes of 3 of 4 coaches per set and coupled them together in the sets with Kadee couplings mounted at the correct Uk height of 3 ft 5 1/4 inches, at the coupling hook height on the buffer beams. Subsequently Hornby brought out their range of Maunsell coaches fitted with NEM coupling pockets that allows the fitting of Kadee couplings at the height of the North American railroad couplings of 33.5 inches which is incorrect, but easier to fit.
As expected wen I saw the title , a honest example of how many mistakes we make trying to get things right. Never mind Charlie if plan A doesnt work there is always another 25 letters to uses
Yes John, that’s a nice way of looking at it. Regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie, learnt so much from you over the years.
Such an important point about getting clear about the where and the where of the layout, as it can save you an absolute fortune.
Thanks
Thanks 1BC, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it. Regards, Charlie
Building a layout (or several versions of one) is a hobby for a lifetime. Each development hopefully brings entertainment and enjoyment - and hopefully our skills improve too!
You make an excellent point mate. Regards, Charlie
Thanks Charlie for producing such a thought provoking video. We all learn as we get older, and as you say we learn from our earlier mistakes. When I first started in this hobby I constructed a tail chaser, with a :duck under". Well that was okay as I was in my early fifties, then as the years went on I was not ducking down enough, thereby hitting my head to often, so then it was a matter of crawling under on hands and knees, then came knee replacements. Time for a complete rethink. I eventually came up with a dog-bone type configuration. At 85 next month I now simply walk in, no ducking and weaving so too speak.. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, so I would say to anyone thinking of building a layout give a lot of thought as to how you will be operating the layout in say thirty or forty years down the track. Cheers Greg
An excellent point Greg. If only we could learn these lessons in our younger years. Regards, Charlie
A great and honest video, Charlie. Who doesn't make mistakes? I love your humour and presentation. Thanks for sharing,
You’re most welcome, Martyn. Regards, Charlie.
Superb video, Charlie. Lots of echoes from my experience there.
My main lessons learned from 50 years of railway modelling are:
1) Rule 1 applies at all times: it's your layout, do what you want.
2) Even higher up the list of rules than Rule 1 is "you can never have too much on-track storage"
3) Don't throw the boxes away. When you do want or need to get rid of stuff, people will pay pennies for stuff they'd pay pounds for if it were in its box.
But with regard to 1) above, you're absolutely right: sticking to a tight prototype and time frame will save you lots of money. building
Another lesson I've learned, but never actually done any follow-up learning on (but hope I will when I finally get round to a new layout) is: particularly if your space is limited, learn how to build your own points and crossings, so that you're not stuck with the big manufacturers geometries. For example, I eventually managed to find space for a four track junction: with Peco large radius points, that takes up a lot of room, and every photo I have of it is marred by a kink in one of the tracks that needed to to diverge at a slightly steeper angle that the rest. Another example is that back in the late 60s, a friend of my dad hand built a curved double crossover with double slips (also gently curved) at one end: it fitted the space perfectly, was a thing of beauty, was all live frogs before they were common and was the one piece of trackwork that in over 50 years never gave the slightest problem.
I do understand your point of you Andrew. However, for me time is too precious and to construct hand build points, and I certainly don’t have the skills, regards, Charlie
As someone who has just dismantled his first layout as it was an electrician's nightmare which looked as though it had been constructed by a spider on acid, I found several aspects of this video which will prevent me from making time consuming errors. Thank you Charlie.
Thanks Peter, I’m so pleased that you found the video useful. Regards Charlie
You learn by your mistakes, how true this is Charlie. I can remember whilst serving my apprenticeship the mechanics I worked with would let me (sometimes) make mistakes, wonder why items would not work or fit together properly only to be then told where I had gone wrong and then left to see if I could rectify my mistakes. I was told this was the best way to learn !!!
Fully agree with your comment about buying `wrong stock`, I brought items that I thought looked good only to find that they do not fit in with the era I am modelling, thank god for that on-line selling/buying site.
I had a little laugh to myself when you mentioned `just jobs` "it will only take me a couple of hours love" two days later I finish it!
You have my greatest sympathy with regarding your knees I had to retire somewhat early due to mine, hot and cold compressions helps.
Thanks for sharing this video take care regards Barry..
Thanks Barry for such an excellent comment. We clearly share our mistakes! Regards, Charlie
Warts and all. Lovely to be able to add your learning curve to mine. Half the time I was muttering ‘Yeah, done that. The rest of the time I was thinking ‘well, that’s one to avoid’ Thanks Charlie, you saved me some angst. 😃
The best thing, Steve, is we learn together. Regards, Charlie
Charlie you and I are pretty close in age. I honestly don’t think of whether I can finish my layout in my lifetime. If I do then great. If not I had fun doing it. Love your vids.
I love your honesty Scott.
Stay safe, regards, Charlie
As someone brought up in the Tri-ang era and to whom even analogue was (and remains) complicated, I can only marvel at the complexity of your wiring and control systems. Despite my bewilderment at whatever's going on below the baseboard I always thoroughly enjoy these videos though, and really appreciate the self-deprecating and humorous style. Many thanks for sharing your wisdom!
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the channel JB. Regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie. Thank you for your very honest walts and all account of the evolution of Chadwick, and sharing the challenges. This clearly proves that building a model railway is a steep learning curve.
I’m so pleased that you found interesting, Alan. Regards, Charlie
Hi Charle. Yet another brilliant and helpful "warts n'all" video.
Being an absolute beginner 14 months ago hit the ground running to build a layout by using a Hornby track mat and their 5 part "how to" videos, didn't know you were around then!
Massive mistake laying ballast before track!
Just about got over the suffering .lol
Keep the videos coming and now look forward to the Swift's, well done mate!
At least you’ve learnt from the mistake David and your new journey awaits you. Regards, Charlie
I like your video's Charlie, wart's and all! Show me someone that's not made a mistake, and chances are, they've not made anything! To use the old service adage; Fail to plan, then plan to fail! Keep up the good work Charlie. Cheers...Les.
Thanks Les, I’m so pleased that you found it interesting. Regards Charlie
Good to see you at the shop yesterday Charlie!
You too mate, we should’ve had a longer chat. Regards, Charlie
Cracking video and very interesting, I’m now on my fifth version of my layout but the mistakes I’ve made and things I’ve learnt over the last few years have proved invaluable.
I totally agree, sometimes the journey is more interesting than the destination.
Hi Charlie. Mistakes, now hands up anyone who hasn't made them. As I thought no hands 😉 It was interesting to hear you say you were going to put in a monitor. I have a monitor coming hopefully on Monday. Now that might be a good subject for a quickie video. Maybe when your friend comes over to help you might have a camera rolling to see you put in the new monitor. You can always mute the sound so that we don't hear the air turn blue Tony.
That’s interesting suggestion, AF. Regards, Charlie
Cheers Charlie, Good video. Most of those errors I have indeed made however I seem to be able to repeat some over and over! Mind you as I get older I give a lot of time to thinking through the jobs so much I don't get started.
I never thought about that Les, as a downside to planning. Regards Charlie
What a great video sir, just took down half of my layout last week, and glad I did it, wasn't to the scenery stage yet so, basically track work and bench work, did planning and making sure I had room for the things I wanted,it was a stand inside and run around affair, but I did have a swing gate, but as you said about the amount of track you really want to put on something like that, I had 2 lines, on mine, but it did limit,or dictate what you could put on it, or around it, same thing though, when you needed something you went through the gate, and also the bench work turned into a shelf when you were working along the wall area, so I'm just going along the wall which I my case is a good size, and learning from what I just had, I like the backdrop industries/ shallow relief buildings, , I have put in time money, hours building what I just took down, planning and twerking the track plan, laying awake at night, trying to solve a problem,and coming up with something, but I feel like I'm moving in the right direction, still love the hobby, and also I think a person's likes and dislikes change, I have a ton of kits from my father that need building, and with the room I'm saving I can roll out another workbench, I did plan and had enough room for my main workbench before I took down the middle of the layout, but it was cramped, enough rambling, good topic, always like your stuff, you lose me in the electrical department, still use toggle switch block system, and the knees, know all about it, I'm reminded every day at work when I got to climb in my engine, yes even the engineers get bad knees! God bless, keep em coming
An excellent comment, Thomas. Please take it easy on those knees, regards, Charlie
That APT-E negotiating those corners got me good 😂
Yes, a dreadful example of poor planning. Regards, Charlie
Great retrospective and lots of philosophical musings about model railroading. Thanks for sharing with us! Cheers from across the pond 🇨🇦
Thanks for tuning in mate, and I do hope that you found it interesting. Regards, Charlie
Another excellent video Charlie! "The man who didn't make mistakes didn't make anything." Worth bearing in mind. :-)
Thanks Steve, I’m so pleased you enjoyed it.
Knowing other people’s mistakes always makes one feel better about your own mistakes!
I’m up to my 5th board layout, getting bigger each time, with previous ones not entirely finished. Because there’s a point where you know that a mistake is fundamentally because your vision is different from the physical thing you have done.
Also, I love “what an absolute nugget!” and “that’s the sound of freedom”. Amen.
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it. RW. Regards, Charlie
Thank you Charlie for yet another borh educational and entertaining video. We all make mistakes, but not all are big enough to admit them. You have all my respect. Greetings from Sweden 🇸🇪.
Thanks Anders, that’s very kind of you. Regards Charlie
Fascinating to see how the new Chadwick has evolved.
An idea for one of your ‘Swift’ videos prompted by your mention of lack of clearance for under board point motors - the availability/choice of surface-mount point motors?
It’s funny, you should mention that Steve, I have some on order. Regards, Charlie
Let me second Steve’s comment. Please make a swiftie on surface mount point motors.
Great, Charlie. Good to know there is allways a work-around, and even though it's fiddley, it very likely will be ok eventually.😂
Sometimes the journey is more interesting than the destination. Regards, Charlie
As usual, a very useful video Charlie. My layout is 2.8 mtrs x 2.6 mtrs. I have a lift up flap as at 69 years, I’m not up to crawling on hands and knees 😂. My lift up has 4 tracks running across it and part of a Station. It took some trial and error to get it the hinges in just the right place and get the gaps in the rails as close as possible. It works without too many stoppages considering I haven’t completed the main bus wires. I will/may eventually get it finished. Currently planning an “N scale” layout from track and rolling stock that was gifted to me
Nice to hear that you’re busy modelling Redbank. Regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie, another GEM you learn until you are put in a box, may it be a long time from now for us all. Good point on passion purchasers, I've made a few but but still have them all. Rule No 1 for me.
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it Thomas. Regards, Charlie
Oh Charlie, haven't we all been there!! The moral of the story is always learn by your mistakes, never look back with regret. There are so many things when building a model railway (and in life) where you just think "oh I wish I'd done this or done that". The video you have produced is so down to earth that most of us can relate to the things you mention. My main regret is wiring, a thing that I wished to have given more thought to and how to make the underside of the baseboard look tidy rather than spaghetti junction! You mention about your track and concrete sleepers and I think you should leave things be as it would look somewhat out of place to have small sections replaced. You would then need to weather it down and to what overall effect? I continually look forward to watching your videos and for the hints and tips you offer. So much so that I have today become a Patreon. Thank you.
Thank you Kevin, for your loyalty. Good luck with your project, regards, Charlie
We all make mistakes, and your right sharing them helps others, I've tried DCC, failed to go back to DC, ripped up my layout, and built another one.
Forward planning is critical, something I've had to do 3 steps or more in advance, sometimes I think you need to be Mystic Meg having to think so far ahead. Great video as always Charlie.
Brian.
Grea comment, Brian, and good luck with yours. Regards, Charlie
Well done Charlie, so good. I've made many mistakes like you and hopefully learn't from them. My knees also are saying "enough" and as I didn't have enough room in my shed for a layout I could walk around, I raised layout by 600mm so my "duck-under" became a modest nod of the head and i'm through. Rather than dismantle everything and rebuild though, I used hydraulic jacks and slowly raised the layout section by section, bricking it up until I achieved the correct height. Then I cut and installed new legs and braces. I've now got some more space for a fiddle yard, but of course, wouldn't it have been great to have thought of it first?
Love your work. All the best from (sunny) Western Australia.
What a brilliant way of breathing new life into a layout. I take my hat off to you. Regards, Charlie.
It's a fantastic and fascinating video on model train layout mistakes. I look forward to your next video. Enjoy your weekend ahead.
Thanks, you too! Regards, Charlie
A really great video 👍 not many people would be so honest and open about their mistakes, but I think that it makes your videos much more watchable because you admit to and show the mistakes (mind you I haven’t heard “that will be the phone” for a while). I have had to sit on my hands to stop myself from buying the APT-E as I model in HO European and North American it really wouldn’t fit in, but in saying that I have half a dozen Hattons class 66’s, half a dozen Accurascale Deltics and a pair of Accurascale class 37’s on order and am fighting with myself every day to not order the 6 new ex Hattons class 66’s from Accurascale (I’m sure that they are trying to bankrupt me) and all in a scale that I have no rolling stock for.😂😂😂
I feel your pain John. I too have a 37 and a 31 on order. Regards, Charlie
Another cracking video Charlie. It may even make a newsletter in the near future. We all make mistakes, and its the way that we recover from those mistakes that really counts. As you are aware lots of my customers love your videos because you keep your mistakes in, where as some do remove them. Keep them coming as they are very watchable and entertaining.
Thanks Stephen, I’m so pleased that you and your customers enjoy my videos. Regards Charlie
Fortunately I'm the "bit of everything" modeller; that is, I like having a variety of stock - I have something for most layouts! But I know people who have decided on an era when making a layout and then having to sell old stock since it doesn't fit with what they are doing - and I've often bought their old stock off of them... so a win-win!
A fantastic video as always. Thank you for showcasing your layout and process and mistakes. My first layout was the same - a bit of a bodge in places and a couple of lines outright didn't work properly due to bad points!
Keep it up Charlie!
Thanks A777, I’m so pleased that you found it interesting. Regards, Charlie
Thanks for sharing all of this in a video Charlie! Lots of opportunities to learn!
Thanks Gavin, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it. Regards Charlie
Excellent, regardless of the amount of planning issues will always arise.
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it, regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie. I know what you mean by be careful what you wish for. I have overcome it by building 2 layouts. I have a tail chaser in the loft that i will probably not see finished in my life time as i only work on it during the summer if it is raining. I then have a small end to end downstairs which i work on in the winter. Apart from some scenic work it is coming on and i can actually run trains on it. If i don't finish the one in the loft it will not be a problem as my grandson is in to model trains and will make good use of it when i am gone. I have found both layouts a steep learning curve and have made many mistakes, maybe i should start a third one to correct them all!
An excellent and honest comment Kelvin. Regards, Charlie
Great video Charlie and I enjoyed reading all the comments. I firmly believe that every day is a school day with this hobby and just reflect that the skills I have developed over the past three years would not have happened without making “mistakes “ along the way. I certainly wouldn’t have got where I am without seeing how you and others have done it yourselves either. So thanks for sharing your thought processes on your build so far. Look forward to seeing more in the future. Roy.
As an retired teacher and full-time modeller I totally agree Roy
Thanks Roy, that’s very kind of you to say so. Thanks for the comment too Bob. Regards Charlie
"That'll be the chopper, then.."
😅
I'd agree with the process though, layouts are a bit like a snake shedding it's skin, in a way - your skills grow and you find that your skills have grown and you want to expand!
And yes - I've purchased stock that I've regretted almost immediately... But we live and learn!
Well done Charles, jolly good!😊
I’m so pleased that we share our mistakes. Iron Horse. Regards, Charlie.
I know we should sit and plan everything before we start. The trouble is that practicalities often catch us out. A good example is point motors and finding that you really do need to have a point sited above the 1" support. The other issue is moving house. In my case, the attic was low and meant that I would have to kneel and then I discover I have no sensation in one of my knees and ended up putting too much weight on it. The alternative room for the layout ended up with a grandson living in it instead. Also trying to adapt an old layout to the new house, which was putting a quart into a pint pot.
Thank you for being honest in your videos, because it does mean that others do not make your mistakes.
Do you really need to replace your track with concrete sleepers? By the time you have ballasted the track it is difficult to see what the sleepers are.
My brother worked as a civil engineer for British Rail in the late 60s onwards. He said that there were much track still on wooden sleepers. Replacement would take place in sections, so it would have depended when the previous replacement took place, how heavy wear was on the track and would be planned in conjunction with continuously welded rail. (Kings were renowned for heavy wear on track, so be careful when running your king)
Thanks for another interesting video Charlie.
An excellent comment, Don. The jury is out on whether I replace that section of track, only time will tell. Regards, Charlie
So build the lower section before the upper one...... NOW YOU TELL ME !! Thanks for the vid Charlie. Good to know that it's not just me. ;-) Keep it up.
We seem to trundle from disaster to disaster. But it’s how we cope, that really matters. Regards, Charlie
I loved this one - reminded me very much of my own goofs and it's reassuring to know others have made the same errors! In truth, none of them are truly mistakes but rather things we look back on and learn from. My layout wiring is truly atrocious, and one of the biggest mistakes I made was building scenery over point work before I'd installed the motors 😂 I did chuckle at 16:54 - have visions of you getting stuck under there and having to be rescued by the Mrs. It may be worth fitting a panic button under each section of baseboard just in case! :)
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it. Remember, perfection is the enemy of good enough! Regards Charlie
Thanks Charlie for another great video. At least I’m in good company with respect to a few of the mistakes you highlighted. Accessibility being one of the ones I have fallen foul of. I really need more clearance between the scenic level and my lower level fiddle yard/ return loop. Another mistake I have made is having a gradient on a curve that is too steep for some of my smaller tank locos. Ah well, we live and learn! Regards, David
Not to worry,David, it happens to the best of us mate. Regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie - Another great video, as usual. Please don't think your mistakes are in vain, and thank you so much for being open in sharing them, too, as it gives us all a chance to learn. I had planned to just build a big tail-chaser with either a duck-under or flap, but having seeing one of your earlier videos, I had such an epiphany about using helixes instead that me and my knees will be eternally grateful for your content! :)
That’s great news Ron, I’m so pleased you didn’t make the same mistake that I did. Regards, Charlie
My Kato track N gaguge , has grown from a few feet to a 9-foot by 4 foot layout and its still growing .. just added a raised section .. stock .. Mmmmm have everthing from my 1960s locos to kato and modern locos... this is an awesome video that eveyone should watch before they start ... having the room is dangerous, You need to build the layout for the room not the other way around LOL
An excellent, David. Regards, Charlie
As a mechanical design engineer, I was always told, those who make no mistakes have never built anything and that is so true with modelling.
My own layout which is N gauge took a year to design because I made mistakes. Then building it I had to change bits of the plan cause things happen.
Another great video and thanks
I couldn’t agree more Paul. Plans are only the stage one of the build. Regards, Charlie
@@ChadwickModelRailway Hi Charlie, my layout, Lofthaven was featured in Modelrail March 2007 issue. They made a mistake in the plan, they forgot the return loop line. Haha.
Superb video as ever. Thank you. Charlie this series is better than many 3rd level courses. Honest sharing of how and how not is really helpful for both newbies and even others with some milage under their belts. You should be on the BBC, such is the quality of your easy to listen to presentation style, clear, concise, no waffle.
Thanks OF, that’s very kind of you to say so. Regards, Charlie
Understand exactly what you mean about time and baseboards.
Got all my boards built and then moved house.
Couldn't take them with me.
As you say it's the time spent building the dam things and having to start over
As always a great video.
I share your pain P 54. Regards, Charlie
Most illuminating, as always, as well as entertaining and informative. Your presentation style is excellent, I look forward to your videos eagerly. Thank you Charlie.
That’s very kind of you to say so, Brian. Regards, Charlie.
No Charlie: you are NOT a buffoon. The only people who never make a mistake are those that don't do anything. On a broader front, no model railway is worth a heart attack or an injury.
Two short points; surely the wooden sleeper track is no worse than our couplers; both are lost sight of in the generality of running a system. Arguably not worth worrying about. Second: you use code 100 track. If this is specified to the old BRMBS (or whatever it was) standards, how do you manage with the finer modern standards? My system (dampness not helping) struggles. 'Old' wheel standard replacement wheelsets unavailable(?). Time shortage is stopping me making wheels, and tempt me to ditch the lot. More creative things to do in life, and indeed in our artform, than replacing a million billion wheels on course stock.
The odd time I see your channel it is always good; this presentation is no exception.
Pete
Thanks for an excellent comment Pete.
It’s a fascinating hobby, but the only thing that we cannot have back in life, is time. We must use it wisely. Regards, Charlie
@@ChadwickModelRailway Indeed Charlie. As they say in the Morris Car Club: 'Keep on Morrying'.
Another great video Charlie. Model railways are great for correcting your own mistakes and to help you learn as you can see the impact of what you've created/changed pretty quickly and mostly things are easy to fix or improve and also great for learning to fault find. I've found so much useful and interesting information from watching you over many videos as the hobby has moved on quite a bit since I last had time to spend on it (more than 20 years ago!). I have to congratulate you on your clear presentation and quality content on so many relevant topics. Honestly, you could base a college course on your video collection! Keep up the great work, Allan
That’s very kind of you to say so, Allan. Stay safe, regards, Charlie
If you never make a mistake, you never make anything. Really interesting video, Charlie.
A suggestion for a "shortie". What about something on cleaning loco wheels? Mechanical methods, chemical ones, etc...
Regards, Peter
I’ve done that one Peter. Please take a look at the back catalogue. Regards, Charlie
Thanks for this Charlie, I thoroughly enjoyed this video. I appreciate your honesty in highlighting your "learning opportunities" so we can learn as well. I think your double-helix solution is brilliant! Yo've given me some nice ideas to apply to my current build of The Mondovi Line, thanks! - Paul
Thanks Paul, that’s really kind of you to say so mate. Regards, Charlie
Fabulous, Charlie, as always. Mistakes are the learning curve for life, I agree. You are such a great role model for me. Very useful advice. Thanks so much, I always look forward to your next video.
Thank you Michael, for such a heartwarming comment. Regards, Charlie
A very honest review Charlie. I am on my third layout and still making mistakes!
That’s very reassuring mate. Regards, Charlie
A good honest video Charlie, which resonates with my own experience. Building a model railway, like a real one, will be fraught with mistakes. To respond to some of your points, just as people collect art I collect model locos and rolling stock, I guess, and have far more than I need! But I am about to enter the world of eBay with some nice examples I won't run any more. Much prefer to buy old locos and coaches and upgrade them these days. As for ducking under my layout I find knee pads very useful in my ageing state. As for never finishing the layout due to death well that's true of anything seniors engage in. If its unfinished too bad so long as its been fun while you lasted!
You make an excellent point Peter, sometime, it’s the journey rather than the destination. Regards, Charlie
A really interesting video Charlie. A colleague of mine was a boat builder and explained to me the concept of ‘critical-path’ in engineering projects (socks on before shoes etc). Great theory but if plans change…. Loved the George Best and ‘sound of freedom’ quotes 👍🏽. Kind regards.
I’m so pleased that you found it interesting Chas. Regards, Charlie.
Hi another informative video about the things we do over time to improve our layouts learn from our mistakes where we went wrong and try to correct them l have watched chadwick from video 1 and looked forward to the next one some of the things you have done l have tried to incorporate them into Beighton Parkway Sheffield like you l love my HST’s I have 3 living only metres away from the East Midlands trains mainline saw plenty going to st pancras and back l also like how you don’t edit out your mistakes which shows us that things don’t always work like we would like it to you are a credit to our great hobby and an inspiration so we can try new projects like the new magnetic vacuum couplings from hornby that l mentioned last week tried them on the hst’s better than the tension lock ones l used a soldering iron for the first time in years for my dropper cables used your method black to the back great result
Keep safe take care Kev Beighton Parkway Sheffield
Great comment Kev. I shall have to look into the magnetic couplings for my HST. Regards, Charlie
Charlie,
Have you considered a tortoise remote mounting for those points where planning fell short?
Simple enough, wire in tube from point motor to actuator.
Bob
I have Bob. However, many subscribers want me to try surface mounted point motors. Regards, Charlie
I was wondering what happened to that fancy train that you took around old Chadwick, thanks for sharing! I'm looking at getting a passenger train for my layout as well, but I'm also worried that it'll just never get used and not fit in. I don't even have any stations/depots for it and I probably won't. It would be more for a club layout, which I'll be going to my first meeting before too long, so this would definitely be too soon.
Great video, thank you for this and your recent Swift video!
Thanks Andrew, I’m so pleased that you found it interesting. Yes I imagine you should hold off on buying that passenger train until you’re established in your club. Regards Charlie
I feel your pain - The knees! As an ex-miner if I get down on my knees without kneepads on, on any surface, I am in a lot of pain. On my layout in our loft the build is mostly done on my knees and I never go up without kneepads on. They have to be good thicker foam the better. On any household job inside or outside the kneepads go on first. In the house I will always grab a cushion even on carpeted floor for quick jobs on my knees.
Elbows! When laying track etc I am always on my elbows and have developed problems with my left elbow particularly and now wear cushioned elbow straps also.
Ditto. My operator position for controlling my DCC layout (now laptop and extra monitor position) has not changed but the wiring is on its 3rd variation as I have improved it and have split it up into 4 zones.
I still keep my Dynamis system in use occasionally but now use a Digikeis DR5000, very versatile system.
Great video - thought it was only me going around easing gradients.
An excellent comment Ian. Getting old is no joke mate. Regards, Charlie
We all make mistakes Charlie, and we learn from them, I had a lot of smoke under my layout ones and didn't even had steam engines. Greetings from the Netherlands.
A great comment Bert. Stay safe, regards, Charlie
Great video as per. In my case, it is not so much mistakes, but rather finding out about products, usually scenic materials or infrastructure, that would have been much better and more easily installed on the layout at an earlier stage of the build. I returned to model railways after over 35 years away, and it never ceases to amaze me what you can buy these days. A lot depends on the period to be modelled.
An excellent comment, Jon. Yes, technology waits for no man, including railway modellers. Regards, Charlie
Excellent video Charlie. It's all learning. Only way to improve is to make mistakes. Layout looks amazing btw. It's genuinely fun watching it grow..
Thanks Mark, that’s very kind of you to say so. Regards, Charlie