My first model railway You Tube channel showing the building of my first layout call Chappel Station. This is loosely based on the Chappel and Wakes Colne Station in Essex. This station also houses the East Anglian Railway Museum. My railway is based in the late 80s and will include a TMD, an industrial area and an underground line. This channel will chart the progress of building the oo gauge railway in my garden room. I am a complete novice so will be learning and videoing as I go hopefully to help others new to the model railway scene. I hope you find these video interesting and useful.
Thanks Mark, I’ve really enjoyed watching your journey so far. Good luck with the house move and I look forward to seeing the next instalment it whatever form you can manage and when it fits in with your lifestyle / plans. In the meantime all the best.
Thanks for this. I too have newby regrets. And have a growing list of things i’d do differently if starting over again. But my layout is too far progressed to make tearing it all up again a practical option. But i may build a new one for taking to shows etc. and try and get it right this time.
Model railways is one big learning curve. You might have seen in my latest video that I am moving house so had to take my layout apart. Hopefully I won’t make as many mistakes the 2nd time around 🤞Good luck with your layout and thanks for watching.
I am so glad for youtube I have learnt so much from all the model railway channels on ways to biuld a layout I have made mine properly over killed the layout is on 4 sections and are all individually powered on dcc and the lay out board are all screwed on to the frame and can be disconnected from the frame work with the ues of 26pin connectors the base bored is 5 mm ply on top of a 12 interlocking sub frame lightweight and incredibly durable
That is so wise. I will definitely do that next time. The trouble was my layout evolved from a small shelf layout, so the boards were very piecemeal but you live and learn. Thanks for watching 😊
I know, it wasn’t nice to do either. I was just trying not to think about all the hours I spent making it. 😢 But I learnt a lot and am looking forward to starting again but this time with a little bit of knowledge. 😊
This is excellent, and really like the way your layout evolved, as your interest evolved. I could add something though, not as a disagreement, but more an alternative, you mentioned the adding bits of baseboard, and just adding track without preplanning the track. I mention this as what are arguably the greatest home layouts ever, Rev Denny's EM scale Buckingham branch probably had the most planning, but even then there was so many additions that were added over the years. That most magnificent of scenic grandeur that made model railways fit in a spectacular landscape, John Allens H0 scale Gorre & Daphetid with its floor to ceiling mountains began life as a 4' x 8' solid baseboard in the '40's. The first bigtime big railroad transportation system; I am, of course, referring to Frank Ellisons legendary O gauge delta lines, again, completely evolved from a concept of running ideals and evolved from there. And the grandaddy of them all, Warren Reinhardts standard gauge line, so old that standard gauge was actually the modellers scale and yet survived until the mid '90's, again just grew and evolved as ideas and interests evolved. The lesser known Sherwood section could put forward a case as well. What I'm saying is that don't be mistaken to mistake a mistake. Whay you think may be a mistake may just be a different way of doing things. Sometimes, careful planning and building ahead can be a mistake for some: learning on the way that some operations which initially appeared to be a necessity and of extreme interest, may lose flavour over a short period of time. Sometimes one can find oneself very limited due to too much adherence to preplanning. One rather good youtuber incorporated into his layout a must-have inglenook shunting puzzle. He since stated that it actually now gets no use, and just takes up space. I personally think a lot of energy gets used up with careful planning and adherence to what others are doing, whereas it may be of more note to have a list or concepts of what you'd like to see in your layout, and the planning is more how to incorporate these into a reasonable whole. Good work though, it's a new dawn.
Thanks you for your comments, you make a good point. What is the wartime saying “No plan survives first contact with the enemy” so the same could be said about building a model railway. The difficulty with the layout evolving in a piecemeal way is trying to retrofit things. I suppose the best way is to build in flexibility so the layout can evolve over time. Thanks for watching. Best wishes Mark
Some other tips 1. Build track with insulated sections / blocks. Even if you don't plan to use them, you might want to later. Just wire them all up to start and divide them if you want to use the sections. Regardless, it makes it easier to trouble shoot where a power error is located. 2. Try and have as much wiring come to the front. Easier access when needed. 3. Have as many main lines as you can. Makes multi-train running easier. 4. If a bogie / truck doesn't like a curve, check if it's a manufacturing restriction on how far they can turn and consider making a change to allow more turning. 5. Wifi and Bluetooth control is worth considering. Can use cheaper (already have?) DC power and still have individual engine control like DCC. I love my DC/DCC engines which have radio remotes. Work on either power. Downside is no universal controls for any of the three options. It's all proprietary.
Wow lots of great tips there. I was thinking about having some block detection in the future so that a good idea. I really like Hornby HM7000 and the TXS chips. I have ready that there is a legacy adapter to use the older TTS. That would cover 90% of my DCC stock. I am just not sure whether to try to convert my old DC engines or have a heritage line on DC only operation! Thanks for the tips. 😊
@@chappelstation Some more. If you have as many main lines as possible, then you can dedicate them to different modes. I've designed a layout and wiring where I can choose any mode for any track and NOT back DC into DC nor DCC into DC. The ONLY thing left to human failure is making sure engine and track mode match. Sad to say Hornby Bluetooth is in its infancy. I'd wait a generation. There are others around like BlueSunami but not cheap. All Bluetooth is proprietary and not interchangeable like most DCC. But they all run on standard DC. Just need different controllers. Many are free phone apps, so you can have them all on one phone, including WiFi. My design has ALL wires coming to the front. A D26 socket per main line bus wires in sections. This way you can wire up D26 plugs as you go to do whatever (DC, DC blocked, DCC, DCC blocked, wifi, Bluetooth brand A, Bluetooth brand B, programmed tracks with sensors, etc) as technology changes. Points on a separate system and powered separately. Do NOT use track power (especially expensive DCC) for point motors. I'm also going solderless for all but dropper to track. Trying to think of another option, like glue that conducts electricity for that last bit! The rest is car 12V connectors, case connectors, generic wagos, spade or screw terminals (with O connectors) on sockets, plugs, etc. Try AliExpress for best prices.
Really enjoyed following your journey with Chappel Station over the years, hope all goes well with the move and look forward to the new Chappel Station.
Congratulations on your upcoming move and saving your river scene and chapel station board, looking forwards to seeing them in their new home in your new layout. To have your memories ( on "video"!) and you can now build back better. Good luck and see you back on line soon.
Thanks so much! That is one of the perks of making RU-vid videos, it’s a great diary of my model railway journey. I have lots of ideas swirling around my head for the new improved Chappel Station. All the best Mark
It's such a bitter sweet feeling, pulling it all down. But I am excited for the next chapter in the journey of Chappel Station Mark, well done on bringing it all done with so little damage :) Looking forward to the next one. Keep well and enjoy that cold bev!
Thanks Hylt, I did seem to pick a very hot weekend (by UK standards!!) to take it down. I am really looking forward to starting again. Bizarrely taking it all down has energized my enthusiasm for the hobby again. Good luck with your new lay, it seems to be coming along nicely 😊
The river scene is great but if required i'm sure you have done it again. Baseboards are the key and building 4 leg modules mean it can be sold or moved to another location. As a teenage modeller i had to disassemble two layouts so I feel your pain.
Thanks and yes next time I will make proper boards. My first layout just kept growing in a hotch potch manner as I didn’t plan to make it that big but now I know I love the hobby the next layout will be better Planned from the start. Thanks for watching Mark
Thats interestng my Bachmann Class 20 also has the same coasting feature once turning the power down. Just found your videos and starting rebuild of a new layout soon. DCC is the way forward in my opinion
Thanks, I am guessing that it could be changed by adjusting the CB values but I kind of like it. Much more realistic to operate. I love DCC but do occasionally like running my old models for nostalgia. Thanks for watching and good luck with your layout.
Grand news indeed! Like you I had to dismantle my layout for a house move and like you I have vowed to learn from my mistakes when I build the new layout. One lesson I have already learned is that when you move house it always takes longer than you planned to get to starting the new layout. One piece of advice...... take as long as it takes to prepare the room properly before starting the layout. Cheers, John
@@tidfordjunction Thanks John, yes I expect it will, especially as the farmhouse is a bit of a renovation project. I am going to spend the time without a layout concentrating on my rolling stock which has been a bit neglected. All the best Mark
Hello Mark. I cannot tell you how great it is to see your channel pop up again on my feed 🎉 congratulations on the sale of the house, it sounds like you guys have found a smashing new spot to call your forever home! Your trip looked really impressive, what a wonderful experience 😊 I am so excited to see how the next layout comes to life, we’re both in the same boat really now, new layout builds! I think preserving the original station is a great idea, however I would maybe suggest that you go with new point work if you have the space, try the PECO streamline mediums or longs, they look much better (having made this decision myself on the new layout) a far more prototypical look and less of an issue for longer wheelbase engines. Keep well, good luck with the move and I am eagerly awaiting the next installment. Hylt
@@Proper_Chuffed Thanks Hylt, yes it is such a learning curve making your first model railway its inevitable that we make lots of mistakes and also learn which bits of the hobby we like and don’t like. I thought I would like shunting but I actually just like seeing the trains running around the layout and filming them. Will definitely use peco points and more flexi track with larger radius curves. Good luck with your new layout. I am hoping that second time around it os a bit easier but just as exciting. All the best Mark
Hi Hylt, thanks for the message and congratulations on your engagement. Looks like you had a fab trip. I have just posted an update video. I lost my railway mojo because the house was up for sale. Also had lots of other stuff to do. The new house has a bigger loft room so Chappel Station will be back bigger and better 😊 All the best Mark
@@chappelstation music to my ears, made my day! Glad to hear you will be back in action soon, hope all went well and I’m so very happy to hear you are going to be doing Chappel 2 🤣 thanks for the kind wishes. Keep well my friend
There are track powered train rerailers. Just put the train on the unit with no track. Lay it on the track and drive it off. Auto aligns to track. eg DCC CONCEPTS Motive Power Depot Drive On/Off Storage 360mm. eg Proses PRLR-01 Powered Railer - HO/OO Scale 48cm HO. Can make your own. There is of course the cheap plastic one (Eg Peco) for carriages only. The above solve the multi-wheeled steam engine issues!
Sound by ipods is OK. It's the room that's not! Echoing. Sorry. I wear hearing aids! The UK voice is OK too. I'm married to one of them. Cheers from down under.
Hi Mark. Just come across your video whilst trawling RU-vid. Very honest but we’ve all made mistakes whilst building layouts. I think that’s half the fun! Concerning your 4% inclines, have you thought about installing DCC Concepts Powerbase? Might not solve the problem fully but would certainly help!
Thanks Mike, I am moving house so will be rebuilding the layout. Thinking I might not have inclines this time they are just too much hassle. Cheers Mark
Wow looking good! I’m cheating for my current « vintage style » Hornby Dublo 3-rail layout. I’ve taken their cue and am building my retaining walls in the same style as the Dublo « concrete » buildings. So no brick detail to worry about and I managed to find a Dulux aerosol which is pretty much an exact colour match to their 1930’s style station buildings and signal box. I’ll see how it turns out tonight. If I can live with the 3-rail track I just can’t abide the horrendous standard 15’’ curves on the return loops I have at each end of my « double track » mainline. So their primary purpose is to hide those!
You can get a cheap airbrush online as these paints are generally used for airbrushing,I have used them on my track and it’s done hell of a lot quicker brushing👍🏼 it will need a couple of coats,
Hi there ,I had a nightmare with this , the connection with Bluetooth kept cutting out but got there eventually doing exactly what you have done. 👍🏼 great video
Looks like your Deltic was just a dud. Motor sounded terrible and chip blew.. didn't see you try it with blanking plate on dc to confirm it was blown decoder tho. I got 4 locos on hm7000, they sound and run great. Track is powered by a 2nd hand Hornby select and no blown chips for me. This system really is a change changer for home users like myself.. we all like to grumble about Hornby but personally i think this is a great system
Really enjoyed watching all this come together the whole valley and bridge/viaduct has coming together amazing. Only gutted I never thought to add a little water fall mine.
Thanks, the waterfall was one of those accidental mistakes that actually worked out good. I overlapped the front and back baseboards on the valley floor to connect them but then had a ledge I needed to cover up so I had to created the waterfall. Thanks for watching and good luck with your layout.
Hi Mark. Should you keep it or not: My knee-jerk reaction is that should should have received a (near?) perfect model as it's brand new and so you should send it back. However, they don't have one in stock! Well, just how much does the noise irritate you? Option 1: I would contact the retailer again and try(!) to get an idea of when they are likely to get another. If quite quickly, ask them to replace it (bear in mind what horrors might come with a new one!). Option 2: Send it back for a full refund and try to get one from another retailer (see Option 1 for a warning). Option 3: Keep it and put up with the noise. If you have time before your trip, take it apart and slowly but thoroughly inspect it and try to see why it's making the noise. If you work out why, try to fix it. Good luck with the loco and you and your wife have a trip of a lifetime.
The noise on the loco is not right it needs to go back and stop running it in the place with all the people playing air table hockey lol That’s what the rain sounds like to me In all seriousness I would send that back it’s not right
What do you expect for £100 the chip itself is worth more than half of the price. It is still a budget entry level model if you want better quality pay the price.
Yes it is a budget model that’s because I think some of the prices manufacturers want for a sound loco is extortionate and that doesn’t guarantee quality, look at the issues people are having with the Accuascale 37s. My other Hornby TTS locos are basic but nice little runners that what I was hoping for with the Deltic .
