Video

First look at Dapols OO Hawthorn Leslie saddle tank. It makes a good impression for me, bizarrely I really like the Perspex cradle it’s attached to and how that fits into the surrounding foam. Looks a good way of protecting the locomotive in transit. Performance is excellent, it weighs 141grams and easily moved 390grams as can be seen in the video. The chassis is a split design, there’s good cl...

Having watched the first film of the Heljan Class 11 a good friend asked if I had noted any degraded performance from the model when pulling a load up the grade, rather than pushing. The gradient is 3% using Woodland Scenics extruded foam sections, underneath a rigid shelf section. It was a test I’d forgotten to do, so I quickly set up the test track to try the pulling test. This is a 100g ligh...

With this section of the Bachmann Class 5 makeover, we see the modification of the bogie wheels, improving them by fitting Alan Gibson from nes ale wheels. The next part of the video looks at replacing the chimney with another Alan Gibson product, a lost wax chimney casting. We see the removal of the original, and how to prepare the plastic body for the fit of the metal replacement. Both the wh...

This is an mechanically unmodified Bachmann standard Class 5. In other videos on the channel you can see cosmetic changes I have made. The test here was to demonstrate that the standard model can start a load of 500 grams from a standing start, on a 3% grade. Why do the test? I was getting a little tired with hearing this model has poor weight distribution and slips even without a load. The gra...

An overview of the Model Rail Magazine Comission OO gauge Heljan class 11. Tested on a 3% bank the locomotive I was pleasantly surprised how good its traction is, shown moving 600g from a standing start it started slipping at 620g on the same test. The dimensions are all accurate and it captures the prototype extremely well with the lower height and smaller diameter wheels to the more familiar ...

Part 2 of the makeover looks at converting the tender from a BR1G to a BR1 type. This release had an incorrect tender matched to the locomotive, and this is an easy task to change, and get confident in modifying ready to run models. Covering the detail differences and how to make the changes, to make a more accurate model.

An introduction to a makeover of the Bachmann OO BR standard class five. The model is an excellent model from the early noughties. The shape and dimensions are accurate, however this release had a number of detail inaccuracies, and some heavy factory weathering. The introduction covers the discrepancies and proposed changes to make the model represent an early version of the class.

My first thoughts on the Accurascale OO gauge class 37. Filmed almost in real time apart from re-setting camera angles these are my first impressions. Filmed in November 2023

After online comments that these points caused problems with electrical shorting when operating in DCC, I undertook further testing. I borrowed a variety of DCC fitted locomotives including types with reported ‘problems’, and have tested them on the same track layout as previous tests on this channel. I have found no issues caused by the points or their construction. However you will see in thi...

A quick update on Shelfie4 Maple River. The layout is being exhibited at Larkrail 2023, July 15th at the New Orial Hall Bath. The idea is to have the layout completed, recently it’s had to take a back step due to redundancy and changing jobs. Here I take a quick overview of where I am with the project.

This is an introduction that Shelfie4, Maple River, an HO scale switching shelf layout I’m constructing. The concept is this is a location near the Great Lakes where there is a grain co-operative with a series of riverside grain elevators. Using good quality HO products from the likes of @rapidotrains @TangentScaleModels @WalthersModelTrains @ExactRail @AthearnModelTrains I’ll be able to makes ...

Rapido OO Hunslet Running Tests

Rapido Trains UK Hunslet un boxing

AK Interactive Acrylic Water Gels Test Part 3

AK Interactive AK8003 Acrylic Water Gel Test Part 2

AK Interactive AK8003 Acrylic Water Gel Test

DSA 2exel B727 Departure 10/11/22

Unboxing Planet Industrials OO Gauge ‘Victory’

Albion Yard Peco OO Bullhead Track Test Part 2 Hornby 31

Albion Yard Peco OO Bullhead Track Test Part 1

BULL HEAD

Heaton Lodge

Shelfie 3 Track Test

Doncaster 2022 EP’s at Rails of Sheffield

Blue Peter visits Heaton Lodge

Heaton Lodge Junction

A walk past Heaton Lodge

Shelfie 2 Guyzance #1

Shelfie 2 Guyzance #2