z4driver

Hi all, my latest video. In this video I sort out the lighting, add a keepalive and change the speaker for a Scale Sounds System's one on a Athearn Genesis MP15AC loco.

Hi all, another video, this time showing how I do my manual switch control, Cheers Lee

The 5th and final part of my series of videos showing the very first opererating session on my layout.

16 hours ago, long island jack said:

what video editor do you use, looking for a newer version than i have

Hi mate, I use a free one called Shotcut https://tinyurl.com/fkwtrkte

Cheers Lee

The 4th part of my ops series:

The 3rd part in the series:

This is the second part in my series of operations videos:

Hi all, I've just uploaded the first video in a series documenting my very first ops session on my layout. As this is the first time I've done any operating on any layout, I'd be grateful if you have the time if you could watch and comment.

Thanks Lee

2 hours ago, dave1905 said:

You do realize that the UP alone has roughly 3 times as much track mileage as the entire British national rail system and it is one of 6 major railroads in the US. 

 

In the US there are different classes of track based on the speed and operating conditions.  Much of that "poor infrastructure" is in reality low grade lines that aren't going to be operated at high speeds regardless of track quality.  There isn't any point to maintaining a line to 125 mph standards when you are only going to operate one freight train a day at 20 mph over the line.

 

By all indications, this derailment had absolutely nothing to do with track quality.

I have pondered long and hard about how to reply to this or whether, indeed, to reply at all. Firstly, I was not trying to make a funny, political, anti-US or any other sort of derogatory remark. Also I never said that this derailment had anything to do with track quality. I was merely stating that the more practice that you have at something, usually the more efficient you get at it. Maybe, "poor infrastructure" was a poor choice of words. If you have low(er) grade lines then the likelihood is that at they may fail, the more line you have the more failures there will be, statistically.

However, what I really objected to was being talked down to. I'm a railroad enthusiast who models US railroads. Of course, I know that UP is larger that the British rail network. Of course, I know that there are 6 major railroads in the USA. I model CSX. The fact that the US has different types of operators, from short-line to Class 1, the fact that it operates on such a variety of trackage, over such differing conditions is what makes US railroads so enthralling. From street running to two mile long trains to two CSX ET44's pulling three freight cars, who could not like it.

I think that they probably have more practice given, what I understand, is the poor state of railroad infrastucture in the States.

Just watched your YouTube video. Lovely layout.

Lee

Latest look at my layout:

14 hours ago, Keith Addenbrooke said:

Enjoyed the video - Bruce Chubb’s Sunset Valley RR (the original one as in his book) is easily one of my favourite all time layouts.  I like the way you explain for any US viewers how layout space works out in the UK.  Good stuff, Keith.

Thanks, Keith. That layout is definitely one of my favourites

Lee

I've just put up a video in responce to the question why I'm a Brit modelling the US.

Another update of my layout:

@Jeff_W Thanks for those, Jeff. They certainly put paid to the idea that all US trains are DP and 100+ cars! The information about symbols and the way things work is great. I've just followed you on Flickr so I'll be looking through your photos.

Lee

@Jeff_W Thanks very much for that. It can be hard modelling a railroad from a country that you've never been to, so it's nice to know that I'm somewhere in the ball park.

Lee

@D9020 Nimbus

Yep, you guessed right. The food processors is called 'McBain Foods' 😁

Lee

The second part of my Scalescenes Low Relief Warehouse build is now up:

Hi all, I’ve just put a video up on my YouTube channel about building the Scalescenes free Low Relief Warehouse in HO. It’s aimed at beginners to the card modelling world.

https://youtu.be/ujxEEBv9MZM

My 2nd video:

11 hours ago, stivesnick said:

Lee

 

Great little video that explains what you afre trying to achieve. Look forward to seeing more updates.

 

Regards 

 

Nick 

Thanks Nick, hopefully some incentive now to get on and do it.

Well after a very long hiatus, I finally have something to report. Here's a link to my first video:

I've just accessed it (14:45 UK time 16 Oct) with no problem. Checking the last picture upload date and that was: 10/16/2023 9:43:59 AM so it still seems to be up and running.

Lee

On 04/03/2023 at 11:18, John M Upton said:

With UK based suppliers of US HO detailing parts now seemingly all but exhausted and with no sign of anymore coming over, I cast the net wider.  US suppliers seem to have stock of most items but the USPS want a mortgage for postage.

 

However, try Canada I suddenly thought and struck lucky with a company called TMR Distributing of Ontario ( https://www.tmrdistributing.com/presta/index.php ) who seem to stock a wide range of detail parts from several ranges including a few I had not previously encountered, they also have Microscale transfers as well.

 

Thought I would give them a try, put an order in for a significant amount of detailing parts plus a couple of Microscale transfer sheets, postage was very reasonable indeed and arrived with no nasty import charges/fees (maybe I was lucky?) in less than a week.

 

In addition, if your order is over $75 Canadian dollars, you automatically get a 5% discount!!

Having read this I decided to to try them for some Kadee bits and pieces. Can't fault them. Ordered them on Monday 18th September, arrived today, Friday 22 September!! Only $CAD12 for postage to the UK.  I've had longer waits for stuff from UK shops. Highly recommended.

Lee