Hi, I think you have the right attitude that this is a layout for you to learn on. Once you've used it for a bit you'll probably start thinking of all the things you'd do differently and plan a new one!😄 Gradients: Ideally try not to make it any steeper than 1:40, the shallower the better, so try and start it as far back as you can. Curves also make it harder for the loco, so keep it on the straight as much as possible. Before you fix the track see how your locos manage going up the gradient with some rolling stock. If they're struggling there are ways to aid them. e.g. DCC Concepts power base, which are metal plates under the track which when combined with magnets give your locos more traction. Here are a couple of links to channels I like which you may find useful. The first is from Little Wicket and demonstrates various locos attempting gradients of 4, 3, 2 and 1% to give you some idea. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-C7kByq1mzl4.html The second is from Chadwick Model Railway. Charlie's videos are based on his own layout build and tend to go into a fair amount of detail. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-BgOyf_ITzmg.html Other RU-vid channels I've found useful are: 1) That Model Railway Guy, who is building a modular layout. His videos are aimed at beginners and clear and well paced. He does some model reviews too. www.youtube.com/@ThatModelRailwayGuy 2) For countryside scenery try Mouldy Raspberry. His steam based Dales layout is beautiful and he has some great 'How to' videos, as well as lots on weathering and great running sessions with sound. www.youtube.com/@MouldyRaspberry 3) Everard Junction has the most amazing attention to detail to an extent that's a bit OCD!😄 His layout is a grimy 80s based one. Even if that's not your thing he has lots of useful tips and how to videos. www.youtube.com/@EverardJunction 4) OO Bill. He specalises in repair videos which are very useful, but he's also currently building a Scotish layout too. www.youtube.com/@oobill Hope that's helpful and remember the most important thing is to have fun.
Hello there 😊 thank you so much, glad you agree with me on that 😅 as a total novice, this first one really is about cutting my teeth I guess 💪 ready to make many mistakes! 😂 Thank you for the tips on gradient, I will most certainly bear them in mind, I intend for it to be as straight as an arrow on the climb. I really appreciate these links, I’m a huge fan of Little Wicket and That Model Railway Guy already but will look at these in closer detail. Much appreciated again, I hope I can do you proud on this 😅
With Bachmann locos, I would suggest you try to avoid ones from the 1990s if you can. The newer ones tend to have better chassis, especially if they are DCC ready (and thus not have a split chassis), although I accept you will no doubt pay more. It is just you are more likely to avoid the split chassis and its dubious plastic insulators. Anyway, I am glad your newest model runs well. Regarding slopes on model railways, take care as these can really show up less powerful locos. Keep up the learning experience and please keep sharing it.
Hi Jeffrey, thanks so much for that, it has definitely been noted 😅 I think my biggest issue is I really have to take what I can get locally, not much in the way of choice here, so I’m just glad to find anything at a reasonable price 😂 but I hear you, and I’ll bear it in mind next time I come across a split chassis. Thanks for the tips. I shall do my best. Much appreciated. All the best, Hylt
Love the Scottish focus, I'm about to start my own layout 6 x 4 ft also Scottish themed as I live here and I love taking the train up into the Highlands. I think your layout sounds awesome, I think for me a might do a single track layout as this is common in the Highlands with a passing space at a small station, and snow themed. I'm excited to see your final build and I'm really enjoying your videos. Keep up the good work and take care pal :)
Hi Nathan 😊 thank you so much for dropping in and for the comment! Please let’s keep in touch, I could really use input from someone with actual experience of the highlands in person. I would like to try and be as authentic to stuff like stations and the like 👍 best of luck on your build, I would definitely love to see your build progress! 😊 All the best, Hylt
Another great video! 😁 Forgive me if I'm speaking out of turn because I'm very much not an expert, but maybe something you'd like to consider - what about, instead of having that point coming off the branch line, if you had a sort of dual-gauge transfer yard platform, and did the line going up the incline to the distillery in OO9 narrow gauge instead of OO? It might give you a little more room to manoeuvre. I know that has a bit more of a Welsh flavour than your current Scottish Highland design, but hey. It was just where my mind went and I thought I might as well share it. 😅
Hi Jonathan, thanks for popping in again 😊 that’s actually something I hadn’t thought of and it could be really cool to do, while also building up a small narrow gauge collection at the same time 😅 it could work nicely! The only thing would be that would be possibly quite expensive, I am yet to find any narrow gauge models here, but I’ll keep an eye out and consider it. Thank you again, Hylt
I agree Jonathan a 009 gauge track from the distillery makes a lot of sense and a lot of room for more interest in track movement and planing, although it maybe a bit more expensive ! Some/most of the distillery's I have studied have 2ft /009 gauge railways within their premises and take take the goodies down to a shed or yard to transport onto a standard gauge line to go anywhere in the UK, or even the world. Cheers from down under
@@wally1022 hey Wally, thanks for swinging by again, it does sound more and more appealing I won’t deny. Do you know if any Scottish narrow gauge models exist in HO? 🤔 not that it would really matter. I do just need to consider the financial side of it however. Thank you for your thoughts
Great Video! I love your layout design, as a someone else said in the comments I think the gradient you showed in the video is a bit steep but everything else looks great! I've got that same Backmann Loco from my grandad, its been a lovely runner for me, but split chassis locos can be a real pain to maintain! Looking forawrd to your next video : )
Hello 😊 thank you very much for the comment, agreed, I have decided I need to extend the gradient a little further to make it less steep 👌 That’s really cool, yes it seems to be a very good little loco, and so far so good so hopefully it won’t give me any hassles anytime soon. Thank you so much for stopping by I really do appreciate it
The masters of steam engine reviews IMO are SamsTrains & Jenny Kirk. Bachmann changed the game with regards to detail back in the day. The split chassis is obsolete, but until the axles split, it should run pretty well, and will definitely pass the "3 foot rule" and looks the part whilst running.
Yes I’ve seen quite a bit of both of their content. Very enjoyable stuff! Well, let’s hope she stays the course and doesn’t give up her axle too soon! 😅 Thanks for the comment Stephen ☺️
Hello from Jersey in the Channel Islands. I am about 18 months ahead of you with may first model railway and RU-vid channel. I have had a bit of a break but am getting back to modelling now the autumn has arrived here. I am being inspired by watching some other railway modellers and came across your channel. I like your plans my only word of caution is your incline. I have a 3% incline which raises about 10cm over 3m straight which is a challenge for some of my dc locos especially if they are hauling wagons or coaches. My advice would be to make some mock ups and see how they cope. It’s all part of the model railway journey. I look forward to see how you lay out progresses. Good luck and happy modelling. 😊 Mark
@@chappelstation Hey Mark 🙌 thank you for stopping by, I am really happy to meet someone on a similar path, I will give all your content a watch, guaranteed 💪 thank you for the tips on the incline, I will definitely do some testing and make sure all is in order before bedding it down. Thank you again, such a great hobby and doing it alongside RU-vid is a very rewarding experience. Looking forward to watching your stuff Best regards, Hylt
Hi, Nice to see the layout taking shape and another new loco to run on it. As I have a flat layout with Dcc control take what I am about to say with a big pinch of salt, from other YT videos I have watched a 3% incline can cause problems so go for a lower one than this and on your DC layout the points can isolate sidings etc as will isolation fish plates but I hope some DC YT channels will give you better advice on it. One thing you might want to consider is try and use express points as much as you can its the one thing on mine that gives me problems and on the main circuits I did change them over but in other areas I could not as not enough space. Hope this helps and your channel is doing super far far better than mine ever did so keep up the good work well done. Cheers Robert.
Hello again Robert and thank you for stopping by again. That is some very sound advice and I greatly appreciate it, I think you are right. I had a chat with another railway modeller who suggested a maximum clearance of roughly 6cm for the distillery, so I may try start the incline earlier. Thank you for the tips on express points, I’ll do so, that’s actually good to know earlier than later. 😊 You are very kind, your channel is doing so very well though! All the best, Hylt
