Laying Flexible Track at Chadwick Model Railway | 119.
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- Опубликовано: 7 июл 2024
- Laying flexible track can be awkward, here's how I do at Chadwick Model Railway.
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A Great Deal of People Are Building their Layout one way or Another and I wish All Model Railroaders Good Luck👍👍👍👍.
Thanks EP, it’s a fascinating hobby. However, can prove to be rather expensive! Regards, Charlie
But it’s Worth it.
I’m 68 years old and starting a new layout adventure in an apartment. I’ve built many layouts over the years (since 10 years old) and have acquired considerable experience. Watching your videos has helped me to realize that I still have much to learn and benefit from. Charlie, you have become my newest mentor, you are the man. I will do what I can to support your efforts as you further develop your current project. Thank you so very much. Tim
Thanks Tim, for such a heartwarming comment. Good luck with your project, regards, Charlie
My childhood model railway constructed by my dad was made totally with flexible track so he could create the exact track plan desired. When building Ewood I bought some flexible track to try the same method ..sadly it didn't go well and I reverted to the standard pieces. Dad was a design engineer and a perfectionist..I'm not .RIP dad Ewood Railway was not at your standard but you'd have loved it.
Thankyou for this video it's bought back memories.
What a heart warming comment. Although I'm sure you'd crack it in time.
Stay safe. Regards Charlie
I agree with Robin Holland, I too would like to meet the lady who gave you such a long leash around the house.😁
I'm sorry but Margaret is camera shy!
😆😆😆😆😆😆 👍
When I get a large enough house to set up a layout, probably based on Merthyr Tredegar and Abergavenny Railway, but would require Coal Tanks, Super Ds (does anybody sell these) and Pannier Tanks; and Bristol LS and KSW buses, and if I ever manage to sweep Zoe off her feet, I hope she is understanding.
Another great video Charlie, I find them very helpful so thank you very much.
Glad you like them Rob. Regards charlie
Merry Christmas to my model railroad professor! Thanks for all your great videos throughout the year!
And I do love the Tracksetta tools!
You’re too kind Craig. Have a great Christmas regards Charlie
Informative and entertaining! It's great to see how well your track work is coming along; those spacing tools certainly seem to do the trick!
I’m so pleased that you found it interesting Alan. Regards Charlie
Informative as always Charlie. Thanks for all the time and effort you give the modelling community. Hope you and your family have a happy Christmas and prosperous New Year. Cheers Euan
Thanks Euan, and the same to you and yours.
Well done Charlie, another great video. Have a great Christmas I look forward to your next one. Happy modelling
Thanks Paul, you’re too kind.
Great update Charlie.
Thanks Jim, regards Charlie
Thank you so much! This was very interesting and informative. Going to watch your other videos now as I am just beginning! Merry Christmas in advance!
Thanks Michael, it’s very nice of you to say so. Regards Charlie
Thank you for tips.
Very helpful
Thanks Gary, I’m so pleased that you found the video useful. Regards Charlie
Charlie, once again your video's are extremely informative and helpful. Thanks again for all you do, love me some Chadwick Model Railway!
Thanks Jeff, I’m so pleased that you find the channel interesting. Regards Charlie
learning a lot , thankyou !! merry christmas
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it Ron.
Wow, you continue to amaze me with your layout and your building skills. Have a Very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New year!
Thank you very much indeed, stay safe and have a great Christmas. Regards Charlie
These videos are really good. Some great ideas for building a model railway and avoiding mistakes.
Glad you like them Richard.
Excellent video Charlie with some great tips, thank you.
You’re most welcome Philip. Regards Charlie
Great video. Alot of use full tips thanks. Merry Christmas to you and all.
Thanks Peter, you’re too kind.
Interesting video Charlie. Thanks for sharing. Happy holidays to you and your loved ones and a good and healthy 2021 !!!
You’re too kind Onno. Take care over Christmas, regards Charlie
Brilliant video Charlie. A very Merry Christmas to you and looking forward to the next installment at Chadwick.
I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it Ian. Stay safe. Regards Charlie
Nice video Charlie! Nice tool very nice to have, layout looking good!
I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it manny fernandez. Stay safe. Regards Charlie
You’re layout is really coming together Charlie! It’s so exciting to watch it as it begins to establish itself. I’ve just laid the cork on my first ever layout thanks to all your trusty advice. Thank you so much!
What a heartwarming comment Harry. Good luck with your project, and stay safe over Christmas, regards Charlie
Thank you Charlie!
You’re most welcome John. Regards Charlie
As always Charlie very informative and for myself extremely timely as I’m commencing track laying 🤔.
All the very best for the festive season to you and your family, hope you stay safe over there! cheers Paul
Thanks Paul, and seasonal greetings to you and yours too. Regards Charlie
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Thanks BVR, and the same to you and yours. Regards Charlie
Very informative as usual. Excellent
I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it Gordon. Stay safe. Regards Charlie
Mamothly helpful, Charlie!! Thank you!
You're very welcome mate, regards Charlie
Its coming along nicely now Charlie...all that track looks amazing. See you next week. All the best.
I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it tim. Stay safe. Regards Charlie
A big thank you sir for not just a good model RR education but for keeping me sane last spring. Weekly videos were a god send during lock down. Have a wonderful holiday.
What a heart warming comment HD. Stay safe. Regards Charlie
That little track spacer guide is pretty darn nice. Seeing the way you staggered the joins is really good. I never thought of that and that will get rid of that dreaded space where flexi's join that has no sleepers.
Thank you for such an in depth and educational video. I really do appreciate it.
What a heartwarming comment Brendan, regards Charlie
Great video as usual. Given me confidence to have a go with flexible track as I'm fitting a turntable with limited space.
You can do it Chris, it's easier than you think.
Fantastic video!!!!! Thank you.
You’re most welcome, mate Regards, Charlie.
Very informative video Charlie , what I would have given to have this 40 years ago when my Dad and I were trying to build our garage layout. Always enjoy these so thanks.
That’s very kind of you to say so Jack. Those happier times and their memories are so precious. Regards Charlie
DOING RAILPLANNING INTO A REAL
ART - PRACTICALITY AND FUNCTIONALTY IN ONE SWIFT WORK!
WELL DONE!
Thank you Carl, that’s very kind of you to say so. Regards, Charlie
Charlie, I have to thank you for this great video. I saved it all year knowing that it would come in handy when it came time to setup my layout for Christmas and I can tell you that it took me half as long this time to lay twice the amount of track! Fantastic job here. I did use the Piko track screws, which for me were a godsend as well.
Thank you!
I’m so pleased that the video was useful John. Good luck, regards Charlie
hi charlie what a great vlog very interesting andgood advice and tips the technolagy has come a long way in the years since i had my early model thank you your advice has been so good and it has made me even more keen to build a model again once again i thank you for your advice and expertiance in the great work / love of model railways
Thanks RM1000, for such a heartwarming comment. Regards i
Thanks for the great tip on the flexible track tool from Golden Valley Hobbies! This is just what I need and have ordered an N gauge version for when I start laying my own track. Cheers!
I’m so pleased that you found the video useful.
Hello Charlie, thanks for all the helpful uploads, I have learned a lot from you over this year, I am about to try the rear lamps on 5 brake vans,
will follow your guide, wishing you both a very Merry Christmas, all stay safe, Allan.
Thanks Allan, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the channel. Good luck with brake vans. Regards Charlie
Thanks for a great year, excellent videos, all combined with a great sense of humor (perhaps with a bit of an English twist). I am an N scaler and now continue on working on scenery. I am building some structures from kits but now working on scratch built from card. It is a little more difficult than the various yoube videos suggest, but fun to continually improve how they look. I have been using computer drawing and modeling tools and then seeing where I go from there via card and some 3d printing, while trying to maintain everything and keep it running smoothly so my Grandchildren learn to enjoy it (they seem to) and perhaps learn something about how it all works. Its Chrismas time so hopefully Santa gives the trains a thought. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and looking forward to watching your layout expand and grow. Thanks!
What a heart warming comment john. Stay safe. Regards Charlie
As always enjoy your videos
Thanks Ken, I’m so pleased that you enjoy the channel. Regards Charlie
Found it all now thanks
Great.
Another great informative video Charlie.
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it Simon. Regards Charlie
Im not even a train enthusiast and I found this so interesting. I want to see those trains running round this set-up. GREAT WORK!
Thank you very much Al, I’m so happy that you found it interesting mate. Regards Charlie
Yet again another great video, the tip for avoiding dig legs was very interesting, thank you again Charlie
I’m so pleased that you found it interesting Thomas. Regards Charlie
Please forgive the Crabtree comment I meant dog leg
Another fantastic video Charlie 👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks mate, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it.
Wowzers Charlie you have some track down there
What a cracking little tool that golden Valley tool is.
Excellent as usual clear and precise for us sausage fingers to learn from
I’m so pleased that you found it interesting David, regards Charlie
Hi Charlie, I started following you before I even had my loft fully boarded, I really like your videos as I always learn a lot, and as my wife has commented, “you don’t have a boring voice”. I do have a DCC layout in my loft now and I thoroughly enjoy running the trains and changing the track (several times). I think it’s great that you leave your mistakes in, it proves your human.
What a heartwarming comment Barry. Regards Charlie.
Thanks Charlie for some great track laying tips. I’ve certainly learnt something today ,hopefully it will help me lay my N gauge track better...or not as the case may be.
Thanks Ron, regards Charlie
Thanks Charlie very informative and entertaining videos. I only wish I had found your channel before I embarked on my loft layout as a complete novice. I could have avoided some of the errors and expensive mistakes but, hey, it is still fun learning!
Rest assured Frank, we are all still learning. Have a great Christmas, regards Charlie
Thanks Charlie!
You’re most welcome Warren.
Nice one Charlie, I think taking your time helps to make thinks look good as well as being functional, and of course my mantra is 'if it looks right it is right' and that trackwork looks right for sure. regards Gareth
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it Gareth.
Hi Charlie great video your fiddle yard will be amazing when its finished. You mentioned the Hornby princess. I have two of them and they both perform fantastically well had them for 6 months or so. Great model. Can't wait for your next video
Hi Matt, thanks for the info regarding the princess, that’s just the info that I’m after. Regards Charlie
Thank you Charlie for the plug, I've certainly had more veiws and a few more subscribers. Glad to see the track put to good use. I have the hornby rocket and have to say it's amazing, not only in detail but its size. Something that small shouldn't work. I will put up a video of it soon. I'm ballasting at the moment. Your layout is looking great, enjoying the vids regard Jim
Thanks Jim and I’m pleased that you have acquired a few more subscribers.
Great vid as always Charlie. Love those curves and the two tools to help you do it.
Glad you like them Clive.
Excellent video as always. Hope to start my railway by March and you are supplying great tips as always. Happy Christmas from us in Seychelles
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it Tim, from a rainy England!
Another useful how to, you mentioned how much track you used, it never ceases to amaze me how much track we all use. My current layout is in a 9ft x 10ft room at the moment it has two continuous running lines, a six road fiddle yard and a small goods yard and engine shed and I have used about 60 yards of track. It will hopefully next year be moving into my converted hayloft which is 10m x 5m so goodness knows how much track I'll need for that. On the subject of locos I am hoping in the new year to purchase a Dapol Western with sound so I'll let you know how I get on. Merry Christmas and all the best for the new year let's hope it's better then 2020.
Yes Phil, it’s as if there is a track eating pixie on my layout. Good luck with the western, I have two with sound and they are just brilliant. Regards Charlie
Very interesting and might well be very helpful. Happy Christmas
I’m so pleased that you found it interesting mate. Regards Charlie
Merry Christmas to you and yours Charlie, happy new year!
Thanks Charles, stay safe and have a great 2021
Thanks, Charlie. I don’t know why I didn’t think of staggering rail joins before.
It wasn’t my discovery either.
Whoa, you have a first aid kit and fire extinguisher among your recommended equipment. Maybe I should reconsider this hobby ....
Seriously though, another great video. I am getting back into the hobby after an extended hiatus, and am enjoying my relatively simple oval, so now I am of course planning an empire. Your videos are a great source of information, and I am furiously noting down every new tip and gadget. Thanks again. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and stay safe.
That’s very kind of you to say so Ray.
Coming along nicely. Still plenty to keep you out of harm’s way for the Winter! Have a great Christmas and stay safe. Roy.
Thanks Roy, have a great Christmas and stay safe mate. Regards Charlie
I buy M1.4 x 10mm screws from a well known auction site for £5 per 1000 screws which is a lot cheaper than buying the Piko branded ones
Thanks Ian, I shall check it out.
Looks great Charlie, I have used all three of the fixing hardware you demonstrated but settled for Peco and Piko. Regarding the joining of the rails I have found it challenging to say the least and have made far too many cuts in attempts to matchup the rails.
It was suggested that I solder lengths of track together and I did that wherever possible in the limited space I have but that certainly helped.
Those jigs you are using for the curves look really useful and would have saved me a lot of grief had I known about them and it would have allowed me to possibly get more track in and I might just reconsider what I have.
I never thought of using those Hornby curved tracks but it might have made things easier.
Once again, thanks for inspiring and sharing.best regards
Charlie, I'm so pleased that you found the video useful.
Regards Charlie
I have no idea why this was in my recommended videos while watching a guy repair 8-bit computers but I fully watched it anyway. Oddly relaxing.
I’m so pleased that you found it interesting Terkzorr. Regards Charlie
Another fantastic video by you Charlie i enjoyed my visit to your channel your track laying is certainly better then my track laying. hope you have merry christmas and a happy new year and all the best of luck for 2021. Cheers and all the best.
Nicholas.
Thanks Nicholas you’re far too generous with your compliments! Have a great Christmas regards
Happy Christmas Charlie to you and all your loved ones,
And to you and yours Barleyarrish.
Thanks again Charlie for another interesting video. I never thought of threading the track a couple of inches into the next piece of track, which is an excellent tip. I have managed to dig the track into my finger when trying to move it along providing me with bloody track. Now I use pliers or Spencer Wells artery forceps to move the track along to prevent injury. The track does look good.
Don, I'm so pleased that you found the video useful.
Regards Charlie
Fascinating as always Charlie, I bought a tracksetta 42” radius piece after seeing you use them on your layout. Fantastic simple piece of kit that has made a previously horrible bend on my layout a much smoother and accurate curve. I’m modelling New Zealand Railways in S scale (1:64) and the largest wagon is 39cm. It didn’t like the previous rough attempt at going around a hand/eye judged curve, however now it goes through no trouble. Cheers!
That’s great news Scott, I’m so pleased that you have found my advice is useful. Regards Charlie
Your track looks great and you still have a lot to lay,so Happy Solstice and festive season, keep well and safe, regads, Jed
Jed you’re too kind, stay safe, and have a great Christmas, regards Charlie
Golden Valley has the tool back in stock as of today (Jan 30). Just bought mine. Thanks again for the tips, Charlie!
You’re most welcome Chris.
Good update keep posting updates up
Thanks mate, so pleased that you enjoyed it
Another great video mate, merry Christmas to you and your family
Thanks Lee, and the same to you and yours. Regards Charlie
Not sure how I came across your channel Charlie, but I am glad I did. I have only watched two of the videos so far, but they are very informative and you have a good presentation style. You can count me as a subscriber now.
Welcome aboard David. Regards Charlie
Great good, keep it coming👍
Thanks Miguel and best wishes for 2021
Hi Charlie, I wish I had known about those Piko screws when I was laying the track on my 8' x 4' main layout, still never mind my track is down but some will be coming up as I have decided to change it a bit.
Your good lady is an absolute treasure, the main reason I've been sent out into the garden is due to my wife not being as amenable. Never mind.
Keep up the good work Charlie as we can all learn from watching other people's videos, I know I am.
Best wishes for the coming "Festive season" and I am sure all your followers will wish the same.
What a heartwarming comment Peter.
Do stay safe and have a great Christmas.
Regards Charlie.
Always a good video Charlie they stagger curves on the real railways and I’ve always done it myself when it comes to curves but never soldered them due to it being a bit to permanent and something always gets changed as you know 😉 hope you and your family have a loverly Christmas all the best and stay safe
Thanks for the info Craig, and I do hope that you have a wonderful Christmas also, regards Charlie
Just caught up with your videos now. The fiddle yard and helix have come out great so far. Looks like you have space for fiddle yard roads that don't link with the helix if you find in the future needing more room for stock.
Hope your Christmas and New year were as good as things can be given the situation in the world etc. Look forward to future updates.
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it and best wishes for 2021 mate.
Charlie Bishop changing his mind?? Never lol. Great stuff as always mate. Hope you are keeping well
What a heart warming comment mate.
Stay safe. Regards Charlie
Both Hattons 66’s with sound have performed beautifully, next job is to order the track spacers Thanks for another brilliant video.
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it David.
Merry Christmas, Charlie
Thanks SM and to you and yours too.
Nice video.
Merry Christmas 🎄 ⛄
Thanks John and best wishes for 2021
That was another really good Video Charlie, as usual you make it so easy to follow, trust that you have a safe and peaceful Christmas, looks like that old Covid will be ensuring many in the Hobby will be spending Time on their Layouts if they are lucky enough to have one.
I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it Peter. Stay safe and have a great Christmas.
Regards Charlie
Thanks Charlie, I have only found your video's since last thursday's zoom meeting, I only recently started to use RUclips when I added a few of my own videos. I now have a lot to watch and have picked up some good tips from you already. Cheers John
It’s great to have you onboard John.
What’s the name of your channel?
Regards Charlie.
@@ChadwickModelRailway It is just called John Dedman, Started in 2018, did not realise it was that long ago.
Regards John
Great stuff John. Subscribed.
@@ChadwickModelRailway Thanks Charlie
Excellent video, for learning how to lay track accurately. Talking of videos, have you also see seen Susan's video at Milden Hall, which shows you how to create loads for wagons, and Susan uses a handy looking picture frame cutting tool, to enable foam board to fit snugly in to the open wagons?
Thanks Alan, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it. when you said about Susan’s video, do you mean Susanna‘s video? She really is a gifted modeller who really deserves a better following. Regards Charlie
Very impressive sweeping curves Charlie. Will never complain about just two double track loops again! Very useful tip to avoid doglegs on curves, much better than hiding them in tunnels!
Thanks John, you're to kind.
Great lesson, again, Charlie! I'm always learning new things from you; parallel track gauges! What will you come up with next!? Thanks, Charlie!
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it Pat.
thanks great video some ngauge locos get could right ups .Then on layout i find some run rough.merry christmas happy new year to you & your good lady
Thanks, you too MJD.
Useful video.
In my experience, staggering the track joints is absolutely the best way to go. No kinks or doglegs, and because of the staggered joint, the sleepers are retained.
Brilliant.
Thanks Andrew, I’m so pleased that you found it interesting. Regards Charlie
From your recommendation, I managed to buy a pair of the gauges from Golden Valley Hobbies - and they have saved me so much time!! Also good for parallel tracks too. So thanks very much!
Glad you like them Ian, they will last forever.
Evening Charlie. Round the bend with this one lol 😂 That new tool looked just the business for getting the nice radius curve as I would think most modellers would struggle 🤔 But again with your fantastic tutorials those curves will look as good as yours 😂 Have a lovely weekend with your family cheers Stevie 😎
Thanks Stevie, what a heartwarming comment. Regards Charlie
hi charlie i love your videos all ways look forward to seeing them on friday keep up the good work and the automation some time on.derek
I’m so please enjoy the channel Derek. Regards Charlie
again very useful thanks. Order placed with Golden Vallley :)
Thanks OC, I’m so pleased that you found it useful. Regards Charlie
Hi Charlie, I look forward to your videos as they are always interesting and informative. I've seen many different ways of joining flexible track on curves, staggering the joint looks like it gives excellent results and aids removing the "dog leg" from the joint. I usually remove about 6 inches (150mm) of sleepers and then bend the exposed track to the desired radius to remove the natural spring of the nickel silver track. I usually cut the last half inch (13mm) off as it's difficult to form the curve right to the end of the track. Next time I lay flexible track with a joint on the curve I will also stagger the joint. Regards, David.
I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it David.
Stay safe. Regards Charlie
Wonderful video Charlie.. I always enjoy your videos. Just looked at the Track Spacer Guides. Sure wish someone in the US would sell all the handy stuff like those. Again, Thanks for the video and I'm looking forward to the Chadwick Christmas Special. Merry Christmas All!!
Thanks Al, it’s great to you onboard.
13:00 I have to say I've extensively used those miniature screws (mine are Jouef branded) since... the early 70s (call that the (maybe one and only) silver lining of being 71 and counting) on my main H0 layout and never regretted it. Discreet, nifty, not damaging whatsoever the tracks and points - and ttackbed - and what's more important easily allowing repairs, amends, rectifications an even total replanning of the track layout.👍🤗
Yes Jane you’re dead right.They make it so much easier to carry out modifications.
You are the man, professionally done...I have thought about flexitrack but have been worried I would make a hash of it...have a great Christmas in spite of all the chaos ( designed for me )...stay well.
What a heartwarming comment David. RegardsCharlie .
Another excellent video Charlie.
I have the Rocket but did have issues to start with. One of the wire between loco and tender broke as the tender is not permanently fixed but I was able to re-solder it, luckily I work in electronics so I’m used to such fiddly jobs. To stop the tender from parting the locomotive I have use a small piece of wire sleeving on the pin to hold the drawbar in place. The second problem was it didn’t run. I could hear the motor working but it wasn’t engaging the wheels, a small bit of pressure on top with finger allowed movement. The was a bit of a downer moment as I thought it would have to go back and I knew getting it replaced was unlikely. I inspected it closely and found two black tabs under the boiler that looked a bit out of place and was able to prise them out which fully engaged the motor. It now works beautifully, linking the train together can be a bit of a bugger at first.
A great comment Rob. Two cables came off mine! So demoralised.
Once again Charlie another great video to watch whilst having to adjust my layout again very good advice.
I just wish i had started with peco track and not hornby when i started and i had known that the loco's i was buying would struggle with small radius curves hence me having to relay track.
I would love to see train automation using jmri as i don;t think i can afford the bigger systems.
I'm also very lucky to have a swmbo who let me have the whole loft for my layout which she sometimes helps with the scenics.
Sadly I don’t use JMRI. However there are lots of videos on RUclips to help. Regards Charlie
Who doesn't appreciate perfect curves?! Great vid as usual Charlie, those template guides are a great idea too.
I’m so pleased that you found it useful mate. Regards Charlie
Very timely video Charlie. Since I have over 50 feet of O-16-5 Peco track climbing and looping I have ordered the Piko screws as an added measure of track security. I have been using a small half inch Truss head screw for now. I had it in mind to just have extra ballast at the screw locations to hide those heads. The Piko screws will be a better fit for this layout and disappear. I am still tweaking my track, marking locations that need attention so I can go back later and spend time working on those spots.
When I modeled in N scale I always laid my flex track curves first so that there would be no joiners/fish plates at the mid point of the curve. I then added the rest of the layout track after the curves were in place. The thing is that a meter of flex track doesn't cover as much scale distance in the larger scales as it does in N scale, thus making it more difficult to do.
I did not see a link for those track gauges you are using to equally parallel your tracks. I think those would work well when layout a yard, especially if the yard curves. I will look into those.
An excellent comment and the track guides are available from DCC Train Automation.
Hi Charlie, another fact finding video (wish I had seen these before I built my storage yard) with hard to reach hidden in tunnel sections I soldered the lengths of flex track together and used tracksetta with Peco pins. Because my layout is in the loft I found leaving a 2mm gap every 2.5 metres allows for any expansion/contractions and the sound of the rolling stock passing these gaps adds to the realistic value.
To ensure Santa sent me the items I wished for, I ordered items and my wife wrapped and hide them up (don't tell the Grand children) Merry Christmas to you and your family and remember stay safe...
I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it Barry. Stay safe. Regards Charlie