Baseboards construction and model railway track plans at Chadwick Model Railway | 83. 

Charlie, Charlie, Charlie. Í'm so glad that i am not the only wally to saw into his work bench. Ruined two workmates the same way. I feel so at ease watching your videos i get the feeling yep I'd do that.

Charlie, love to see your Advancing insight during your plans. keep up your free mind and keep going.

So glad these videos will hopefully be weekly now! They are one of the highlights of the week!

Charlie, it's always a pleasure to see your new video come up on Fridays! What a brave sort to take a crosscut saw to his benchwork! And the sawhorse is classic. Can't tell you how many times I've done that myself! Looking forward to a new video NEXT week! Thanks!

Delighted you are going weekly, I do look forward to your videos , you have helped me so much. Keep up the good work Charlie.

Charlie, I like the progression of your layout plans. The 10 minute Express line is an outstandingly brilliant idea. A line that controls itself and goes from point A to point B then after a few mins it returns. Smashing I love it. Do keep up the great work and please keep us informed of the progression of your beautiful layout. Take care.

¡Hola buenas tardes Charlie! Just finished rail and wheel cleaning, after a week of dusty work in the garage. A better way to relax hasn’t been invented, yet, to match watching one of your videos. As ever, your down-to-earth, no frills and, tell it how it is approach is perfect. Your decision to listen to advice from others has to say something, not only to trusted fellow hobbyists but, also to the newbies, in that no one has all the answers or is always right. You’re never too old to learn a new a crafty trick or two. I really hope people take that on board. As ever, Rule #1 applies so, Rivet Counters and users of the dreaded pro....cal word can go and bury their heads elsewhere. Weekly videos are fine by me and, whilst you put them out, you will always have an audience here in Spain! Take care Charlie. Un Salud. Gary

Charlie, I found your videos about a month ago and have been binge watching. I'm a Brit living in US been here over 30 years (we are of similar age). I'm about to embark on my third British Outline 00 gauge scenic layout, built my first in the 90's, had to dismantle that with a house move in 2006. Next layout was 70% complete when another house move killed that in 2011. Since then I've had no space, but a newly built "garage" (its 40'x80') with a 28'X12' loft is the new home for my layout. I've been taking inventory of what has been in storage for last few years and apart from some mouse damage most seems to be OK. I have an extensive amount of track, buildings and "bits and bobs" of salvaged scenic stuff. I'm upto 160+ Locos, 130+ coaches, and 170+ wagons. I've always been a DC guy and as my stock ranges from 50's thru' early 2000's I have no DCC stock today (although some of my stock is probably DCC ready) and even though I'm an IT guy DCC scares me.... so I'm sticking with DC for the moment. I generally have worked with your M.O. of a basic plan followed by trial and error in the past and I think this layout will grow in a similar fashion. Thanks for the inspiration!

Afternoon Charlie. First of all great news a weekly update on Chadwick 👍🏻 Take that support out of the middle board and put a piece of 2X1 straight across and underneath the other two boards and that I’ll support the main board. Then just support the lower board from the side. That 2X1 in the middle will anyone you and get in the way I can guarantee you that 😆 But a great idea keeping it neat and tidy. The DMU shuttle is a fantastic idea 💡 It does make me chuckle as I think everyone makes alterations on there layout at some point 🙈 This is just one if the many reasons your Chadwick layout is so good as we all see the alterations as you go and take advice from your viewers 😁 Thanks Charlie for making these great videos 👍🏻 I will start mine again one day as you give me so much inspiration with it being on the Western region even though I’m from Midlands but loved the diesel hydraulics 😄 Thanks as always Stevie 😎

Great to hear your trying to go weekly, always look forward to the videos just to see you gag on "proto-typical" . Some great ideas there can't wait to see the outcome and how it changes before your satisfied. Keep safe Frank

Great video Charlie always full of info and watching you rip up your old board coz you wasn’t happy has deffo got me thinking about mine

Great to hear you are going weekly Charlie, one of my favorite channels, not only so interesting and informative but so brilliantly and naturally entertaining.. always good to see you on the Mckinley and Peco channels.

Thank you Charlie, will get my cuppa and enjoy your font of knowledge. Best regards, Gary.

A little “tip” when using a handsaw which quite a few do not try…… instead of wrapping your index finger around the handle, try letting it lay along the line of the saw which helps keeping your cutting line straight. My late Father, being a carpenter learning his trade in the Royal Fusiliers (1929-1937 and 1938-1945) taught me that ❤️

Great Friday night entertainment!! Great how you have the knack of keeping audience attention from start to end - never want to skip any part of your video's. The sawing section - true genius in cutting the saw donkey. Cheers Euan

Weekly! Yes! I could get used to this! That station is going to be epic when done. Ha sawing into the saw horse made me giggle because if you saw mine, I’ve done it often! Glad I’m not alone. The extra storage shelf is a good idea. I’ve overlooked storage in the past but I’m currently rectifying that in the new build. Your thoughts around changing the track plan sound like mine. I’m keen to get out of the cycle I’m in building and then rebuilding the layout. But I believe that once it hits that spot, it will be perfect just like yours will be. Great progress and all the best, Clint

Thanks Charlie, another great video, see you next week for another enthralling episode.

I’m so glad to see you do some bodging I often worry about my poor efforts, now you show not everything needs to be perfect. I do tend to use self drilling screws now so much easier than constantly changing bits for drilling and screwing especially as I have some tight spots being in a loft.

Charlie love your honesty , as I’ve been often told a blind man would be glad to see it 👍

Great video and an inspiration to me in getting started with my 'N' gauge layout mainly consisting of Minitrix locomotives I'd been collecting over the recent years

Awesome video Charlie!!! I like the new track plans! Am looking forward to the final result! Cheers Onno.

I really look forward to these videos. They are so informative and highly entertaining, thank you.

Excellent Charlie. I made all the boards first as I really had no option to “build as I go” Got stuck with 2.8 mtrs x 2.4 mtrs . (Due to the Lady of the house 😱) Board width was 30 cm, but now 3 sides have extra 30 cm width boards added. Heck of a stretch to the back. Made them removable for the time being to be able to get the scenery done. Love the videos

Weekly Charlie? Brilliant! Thank You. TonyS

That would be good doing it weekly. Great idea with the second board to store your hardware on. Love the idea on the shuttle track, keep up the good work 👍👍👍👍

Exciting new track plan .Enjoyed the update, see you next Friday it sounds huh Charlie .. Fantastic

A double dose of Charlie? Excellent!

Nice job as always Charlie 👍 steady nicely, look forward to seeing the progress

Hi Charlie ..I'm Bill just starting out in N gauge as a complete novice and watching your videos as a tutorial on how to do its. I have opted for DCC and your videos on this are excellent. All great stuff.

Another great video and I love that you inject a bit of humour into them. ! The shuttle is a great idea.

When I saw you wielding the hand saw the phrase “ my kingdom for a saws-all” crossed my mind!

Charlie the shuttle/tunnel line I believe will be a wonderful addition, it's the kind of thing that allows ones imagination to takeover on a layout. Thanks for another excellent video!

Excellent video as always Charlie, looking forward to an interview! 👍

Great stuff Charlie, love the added humour, makes the vids even better 😉😉👍

I do admire your bravery and tenacity, in re assembling the base boards.

Hey Charlie, I recently went through the same issue with my saw vs. Saw horses. I also have struggled to get a curve set up properly into a set of points, even went through three pieces of flex track trying to correct it. Then my mate said "Why not move the points over a inch towards the back scene?" Wish he was there prior, cause it solved the problem. Thank you for another wondeful video, found a solution for another problem by watching it! Cheers! Alex

Made my Friday as always! I think the DMU shuttle line is a great idea. What I would suggest for it though is to put some barriers up on either side of the track, as they have in the tunnels at Bekonscot Model Village, so that if a train does derail it will keep going and not get stuck beyond reach. It might be worth having a small access hatch still - perhaps underneath a building? - in case the train does derail completely but at least with the barriers you know it won't have scurried off into a far corner.

Charlie on a weekly basis, oh dear Lord! 😆 Defiantly liking that shuttle idea. My Waterloo services into Exeter are to run on a shuttle service, press go and let the modules do the job whilst the main 2 loops will run the services from Paddington / north of England to the west country, dare I say it prototy..p.i... no I'll stop there. 😅 Your track plan is certainly looking good. Tim.

Perfect for helping me with the baseboard construction. I've created my first two boards 610mm (24") wide but I now think that's too narrow for the rest of the layout. thank you for your insightful videos as always.

Great work Charlie, with the master power switch, you can get a plug that goes in between the wall and the electronics plug, and it has a switch on a lead that you can bring up to the facial if you’d like. They’re normally used for stuff like lamps and lights with power sockets that are down on the ground.

Great news that your videos will be weekly Charlie, I really enjoy them especially your sense of humour. love the idea of the DMU automatic shuttle line. Make sure to check your clearances under the other line though. Might be a bit tight. Or maybe it's my eyes 👀

Hi, weekly! I’m all in. You do get things done. Whereas I thought you were going to just square off that piece in place, you surprised me and pulled the whole section out. You needed Hardy to help Laurel out for that bit. Nice work though. I like the new track plan. And I look forward to it’s progression. See ya.

Great update Charlie. It's fantastic to see weekly progress on the layout. I'm thinking of the possibility of that single 'behind the scenes' line being behind a retaining wall, followed by the four tracks leading into a tunnel entrance with a sloped cutting coming down from the elevated section? Or of course you could go for a town scene, and design the elevated section similarly to, for example, the entrance to Shrewsbury Station from Chester direction. Therefore the tracks going over streets and across canals etc, etc. GWR

Afternoon Charlie great video as usual I've made a component shelf also ,I got some draw sliders from B&Q just made it more accessible to pull it out I just made a basic frame to attach them to and Bob's your uncle Keep up the good work very enjoyable to watch

Hey Charlie great video again and it good to see that it's not just me that changes their mind more than the wind and is also bobbins at carpentry 😄😄 keep up the good work and it will look great when it all comes together 👍👍👍

Hi Charlie, that’s cracking news to expect and enjoy new weekly content from you. A great challenge for sure, I know well from my painting channel. I look forward to our long overdue meet up at Ally Pally on the 22nd. I have Sandling Junction plastered on my T shirt lol. Cheers Paul

Really interesting plans Charlie. Like the idea of the DMU shuttle line.

I'm really late to these videos. Can't stop watching them. I'm now feeling inspired to crack on with the loft layout I've been planning for what seems like years. I've lots of 1970's DC locos which haven't been run since the early 80's. I'm planning a DCC layout, hopefully converting what i have. Those that won't convert or simply don't work will be used as static models. I will be buying the odd new one though as funds allow. I'm lucky to have quite a sizeable area to work with. 18'x7', so there's plenty of scope for large scenic locations

Good looking track plan. Good luck with it. It will be fun watching your progress.

Excellent Charlie :) We learn from mistakes. I am a retired builder/chippy and if I had any fingers left I could tell you how many times I messed up. :)

Yes, the guy that mentioned the sawzal, those are an arm saver! 😂 Great video Charlie! We are heading to a Model Railroad Festival in Utah (USA) this weekend. Looking forward to your next video.

Another fine video, Charlie, I really liked the pdf layout design from Dave based on Barnstaple and also the shuttle idea. I have a few HELJAN class 128's, which I really like, especially the red ROYAL MAIL unit. An automated shuttle, especially alternating a 128 with a 3 car DMU, will create so much extra interest for not too much work. :-)

Wohhoooo weekly Charlie videos!! 👍

Well I must say Charlie, I feel a little bit spoilt having you do one new video a week! :D As always thanks for your time and dedication to film the above, bumbles and all, it just makes for a far better feel of being there in the room with you. I do like the look of that 2nd pdf track plan (Barnstaple) and I can see why you would like to replicate the line. Just two things I'd like to add, 1)maybe a small lowered lake in the new side board in front of the tracks so in your minds eye its where the river ends up from out under the viaduct on the opposite side of the layout. 2)have you given any thought into making your Digitrax shelf into a pull out draw instead so you don't have to contort as much later when wiring or trouble shooting. Anyway, enough waffle from me - more from you. :)

What a lovely surprise. I was just thinking, "why doesn't Charlie do a video every week?" and there you are. Another good'un. It seems a bit scary that our thought patterns work in the same way. Allow the railway to evolve. Don't be constrained by wood and screws. Love the idea of an automatic shuttle service appearing from a narrow girder bridge or brick arch, into the station. Great job. Bob

Glad I found this video. Great ideas.

Hi Charlie, I really like the idea of the hidden shuttle branch, being a fan of DMUs. When sawing, don't be tempted into using the dinning table for easyness, like I was! Enough said. Looking forward to you going weekly. The suggested plan for the hi level branch by Dave X looks interesting, may be worth some thought. Stay safe, regards Bobby 'T'.

Very interesting. Not having a layout of my own I always find it fascinating how yourself and other modellers build your layouts etc. I will subscribe too. All the best.

Excellent Charlie thanks very much allways worth watching

Hello good morning, thoroughly enjoying your videos, find you talk clearly and calmly when describing what to do with your railway modeling cheers IAN RANKIN 🙂👍.

Hi Charlie, My woodworking skills are on a par with yours as seen in this video, but that’s not a criticism as it gives me hope that I will be able to create a layout as good as yours, but only if my wiring skills, and my scenery-creation skills, and my soldering skills can get to be anywhere near as good as yours. You are inspirational! Good to see too that I’m not the only one who gets out of breath sawing by hand! Great to see you going weekly as well. Keep up the good work. I will be visiting B&Q shortly for baseboard materials ... you should get sponsorship from B&Q the amount of times you mention them! Regards, Jim

I like the idea of having a 5th track ending up as a terminus to make more interest, although you won't be able to have a parcels van with it without a small head shunt and I can't see where you could put that, unless you have room in the tunnel. There is then an increased risk of de-railing. If you have a separate diesel parcels unit, then you could have a shuttle, which alternates a 3 car DMU with a Diesel parcels unit. That could be dealt with in your storage sidings with a small set on its own unconnected to the main storage. One long spur takes a 3 car and one short spur holds the parcels and they shuttle backwards and forwards alternately. I agree with your idea to have 4 tracks 2 to storage sidings and 2 to the old board. Thanks for the video Charlie.

Another fantastic video Charlie 😊

Very interesting idea of the DMU shuttle, almost like a hidden Easter Egg. Might have to remember that idea for the future.

Wow.. awesome update.. thanks for sharing and keep up the great work ... Lance

Enjoyed the video!! I'm going through bench work myself right now. But great work an keep it up.

Thank goodness you did given the lock-down nightmare!

Great channel !!! 👍🏻

It is nice see that you r physical comedy skills are coming along. They are called saw horses for a reason. In the blush of my youth I worked with a master cabinet maker and one day he said to me "It's not making no mistakes that makes a master, it's how well you hide them that does".

great video as always fella

I always look forward to your videos Charlie

Hello Charlie. Great video again. I've found a way to make decent baseboards. Get the cheapest laminate flooring and nail it to a pre-made timber frame, pine 2" X 1" should cope. This way you can make modules and there's very little waste as you can use offcuts as fill-ins. I then use the 6mm laminate flooring underlay on top, as in an upsidedown configuration. You can butt-join them individually and put wiring etc through as normal. The surface can then be painted/sealed. I made a prototype 2 years ago and it works a treat. 👍🍻 PS not being unkind but try not to catch "kind-of-itis" which is also sweeping the nation ! Much respect from Slovenia.

i've never seen a professional hand saw operator in action before! haha messing with you Charlie. great video!

Top video once again keep it up good to see you are going to weekly video

You might be my favorite person on RU-vid. Keep at it.

Looking forward to weekly videos but don't overstretch yourself. Great video as always!

Nice track. It looks fantastic. 👍👍

Charlie , Becarful with youre back !

It's nice to know that it is going to be a weekly thing to see your happy and very often funny video's. On a more serious side it's coming together nicely, or will it change; cant wait for the next instalment of Chadwick model railway..

I love your quote "no job is to small to bodge".

Yes charlie you are full of it today lol (keep up the good work)

You should make a t shirt with "No job, is too small to bodge" That sir would be a top seller! I know two people I could buy that for already!

Hurray! More videos!

nice one charlie looking good so far derek

great work

Another great video Charlie, love the idea of a self running branch line. Would it be too difficult to program, say a class 25 and three mk1's arriving, then uncoupling and another loco, say a class 37, arriving, light coupling up to the coaches, departing, and finally the loco on the blocks departing back to the fiddle yard..........sounds like it to me! Finally, probably a good thing you didn't name names, Jim would have been very put out I'm sure! lol

Charlie, A lot of work going on but it all makes sense. I'm sure B.& Q. is home away from home. Some modellers put Velcro pads on the base of Digi-Trax power boxes. The London Festival Exhibition is alway's agreat weekend. Exhibiters are alway's well looked after, I remember. I look forward to the day when Chadwick is broadcast daily! Cheers, Chris Perry.

Nice bit of saw cutting there Charlie. Well it would have been if you hadn't cut into the bench as well. Like your idea for the shuttle line around the back corner. I had a similar shuttle line on my Tram Junction, which will be put back in again on my new layout design and a second shuttle line from the Brewery to the new canal basin. Your plan is looking good so far Charlie. Cheers for now.......................Geoff

Hey mate, just watched this one and thought it might be a good idea to hinge the lower board that you have the power supply units on. This would allow easier access if you need to get under the board Cheers Aaron

I will be at Alexander Palace with my layout Outwell Village in the West Hall stand 141, will look out for you Charlie. great video as always.

Weekly output . . . . that will only keep you busier Charlie, looking forward to your updates! 😊

Great video mate I’m hoping my track plan works out

Wonderful video 🤠👍. My brother and I talked about building a UK model railroad layout but that was years ago and he’s now in the Air Force so I rarely see him. One day we may

Hi Charlie another great video mate the layout is comeing on we'll I look forward to see train runing on it mate the Galloway princess is halfway through it re fit all the lifeboats are now re fitted and all the repairs are complete I am now starting the repaint into BR sealink livery of the 1980s goodbye for now Clive

Great Vid as usual Charlie. Your carpentry skills remind me of legendary DIY man Reg Prescott - remember him.....? Regards Terry.

Cuppa and friday chadwick visit, weekly now as well. I love the revised track plan, and the shuttle service should look great, I like the idea of it being a DPU as well alternating, I love DPU, do you have a Heljan 128, pair of them would look ace together. Thanks for the video charlie I really enjoyed it.

Hi Charlie another great video always look forward to them the shuttle line should look great ,just off to BLOCK & QUALE myself sounds posher than plain B & Q .

Always something to learn at Chadwick. Re your mains power supply. For about £20 or less there are remote control adaptors that plug into a socket. Amazon. I have a few because power cuts and spikes are not uncommon out here in the "boonies" and they have that "no volt" feature so if the power goes off they stay off until the button is pressed. In a Forum discussion today, there was quite a "spat" over curves, radius and measurements and the difference between radius and diameter of a 180° turn, also the preferred distance between rolling stock, track centres for running tracks and "fiddle yards". Maybe a detail you could add seeing you have to now deal with curves. . I also have a spare chainsaw, ideal for those quick in-situ baseboard mods.

More videos! YES!

I wish I had a grandparent who did model railways, luckily both my grandfathers are railway fans!