Hello, and thank you for your videos. I have two boys - 7 and 9 - and a couple of boxes of old Hornby kit from the 1970's and early 80's, sitting gathering dust in the loft. However, thay are now old (responsible) enough to start getting involved with it, and Grandad has been very generous this year in buying them the Hornby R1265 Family Fun Project to get them going. In my childhood we had no internet, three TV channels and KZfaq was like somthing out of Star Trek. So today we have instant access to resources such as yours, where we can learn skills, mistakes to avoid (or replicate) and hints and tips for saving money and repurposing waste material. I particulalry liked the paking material into platform bases in one of your other vidoes. So, to sum up, I am so glad that you have taken the time to pull all these videos together, and I cannot wait until Boxing Day, when we can get stuck in. I might even pay a cheeky trip to Wickes' for some earty-coloured paints and plaster of paris in eager anticipation! Thanks.

Some great comments and quite agree, considering the ages of some of the moulds, come on Hornby give us a proper beginner's range!

An ideal series for the beginner from start to finish to see what is available and it does not need to be expensive

I will wager that your videos over the last few years may have contributed to the increase in secondhand prices. You are increasing the interest and demand. This is good! This signals growth in interest. As for the old molds, hopefully the companies will take the large profits from the old items and invest in new releases. They will be more expensive, but that's how it goes. Cheers! And thanks for the great content.

I enjoyed that series, well done for showing not only how to build a nice little country layout, but also how to buy rolling stock on a budget. Interesting how lockdown has affected the second hand market - I guess that people on furlough have been turning to model railways as a way of filling their time. Still, the revived interest is hopefully a boost for the hobby which is no bad thing. I'm looking forward to the next inspirational idea - perhaps a layout in n gauge in a box file which seems to be popular at the moment🤣

that`s a brilliant little layout and great advice for newcomers and oldies alike....ade

Kit building rolling stock is definitely my favourite - very satisfying to build

You can get hornby starter sets second hand on ebay for less than £40 and that will give you the controller, loco and a few bits of rolling stock.

For the continental translation: the situation is almost the same, but locomotives are way more expensive Using new rolling stock Assume that you will pay 10-15 euros per wagon if you go for Piko. For a locomotive: the Piko 50500 is the cheapest one available that will last more than a few months, and comes at around 40 euros. Another option is the freight car pack from Roco, which gives you 8 wagons for about 60 euros With used rolling stock Wagons: Go for the '3 vehicles for 10 euro' stands at train shows, these will usually solve your rolling stock issues. Again, go for Piko, but this time the GDR era models. these are easy to recognise by the coupler return springs. Locomotives: 40-50 euros is sadly the minimum for a runner. Ones to avoid: Piko 50500/50501 type, as the old ones have a bad drivetrain. Piko G8 steamer, these have a drivetrain that is very intolerant to repair attempts Any rubber bad driven locomotive Ones to look out for Large size: Lima 1220 / Roco 218, Fleischmann 212 Small size: Any Br80, Br89 or V60. Lima V36 and V20. Testing tips: Assume anything is a worm drive unless you can see the whole drivetrain, don't turn the wheels by hand. Use a battery to test, but watch out, Lima has pickups on one side for each bogie, so you might need wires. Train shows usually have one or multiple stands where you can test your locomotives. Misc tips: Avoid Marklin unless you really want to drive AC trains, replacement DC wheels are terribly expensive. Fleischmann couplers and metal wheelsets are expensive, buying a car with those fitted from a 3-for-10 stand is sometimes cheaper than buying the separate parts

Excellent series. Cant wait to put together my version of this layout. Also, a bit late, but a good bit of advice for exhibitions and car boot sales is to have a 9v battery on you. If the loco is unboxed, you can test it then and there, no controller needed, which also potentially allows you to haggle a lower price in certain circumstances. Its scary to note the price difference in models over such a relatively short time. The Railroad 4 wheelers are gone from Hornby's website, but from memory they were approaching £25, and the 0-4-0s are nearly £20 more expensive. I'm fortunate to live within walking distance of a couple reasonably priced model shops, but I know that's definitely not the case everywhere.

Looks great, I like how that car is sat behind the fence adding depth to the scene and makes me think of it was a permanent layout where more depth is possible at lower than rail level, it’d be a really cool look to have the road sloping down even with the same space constraints in other dimensions. On loco acquisitions, also worth keeping an eye on the train packs the bigger retailers sometimes do, I’ve hornby 0-4-0s (mainly the GWR 101 loco) with two or three trucks (probably parted from complete sets) for £30-50, and there are also freak bargains every now and then; last year I picked up two brand new hornby sets from Asda over different months including track, controller, 0-4-0 Caledonian pug and two trucks for about the cost of the loco alone; one for me and the other for my lad! Otherwise I’ve just taken to making my own using your kits or designing my own, though as you will be well aware, the further you wander from a standard chassis, the pricier it can get! One last thing, as well as the ex-Kitnaster/Airfix kits Dapol do, they also offer some of their RTR items in bits so you can get an unpainted wagon body for about £1.50 and the chassis with latest NEM pockets for £5-7 so that can potentially work out quite cheap. I’ve yet to try their coach kits but they look like substantial savings over RTR complete, especially Bachmann prices. Years ago I stocked up on a load of old stock but have to watch the older triang stuff as the large plastic wheels are too deep to handle the point work on bog standard code 100 track and aren’t easily replaced (though you can buy reasonably sets of metal wheels from Dapol for half of what hornby charge for newer items with pin point axles) Take care guys

Lovely video!! 😊❤ "Brake Coach?" I just bought a second hand 1930s Bachman "Combine Passenger" N-scale car for a modern (fictional) excursion-shortline I am planning (my first ever ever layout!). I bought it on eBay from a dealer assuming it was roadworthy -- sadly it really wasn't, so I an restoring it -- truly this is not a complaint because this is my first restoration and I am having fun doing it -- it's just that is it costing me _much more_ than I anticipated. AND as my eyesight has diminished, my patience has grown, so I do not begrudge the extra time and effort as I "channel" Dad's scratchbuilding skills. 😌 Blessings & Stay Well Everyone!! 😊❤

This is really interesting to see the stuff in model railroading that isn't from the US. I'm wanting to some day do something that models something from France, actually, so it's fun to see these locomotives and I wonder how they'd work with wiring from the states.

Great advice. I've been getting most of my stock s/h and refurbishing them as to how I want them.

Yes, present scenario of model railways well covered & point out. 👍

I have been to several shows and over the last few years and there are lots of Lima locos still kicking about most of the time £30 a loco they are a great alternative and I have only recently realised how bulletproof the lima chassis is. I have git a large chunk of my trains are lima and who doesn't want 3 or 4 locos for the price of a new hornby train. Prices certainly pre-lockdown were good and in February I got a Lima class 20 for 50 pounds always wanted one but always put off by the price don't ever eant to have to buy a train for 100 or 200 pounds from bachmann and hornby new. Prices have got silly! Great video can't wait to see more content. Keep it up!

Some great advice, great little shunting yard .

Great information Mike and wise words regarding buying secondhand. There's a useful Australian based website that lists many Hornby locos and dates of when they were in production, of course certain models may have been revived several times over the years but it does also show the styles of boxes which went with each production run, so if you are buying a boxed model you can have an idea of its age and some may go back 40 years or more. When buying secondhand do your research and be prepared to walk away if the price is too high another model will come along sooner or later.

A small brake van could be added to make an extra operation. 1 small van would have to be removed to make room.I noticed one just on the other side of your tunnel mouth.The layout looks classic GWR.Great.

A very good series- well done!

Have you ever thought about doing the Ratio 4 Wheel Coaches? At £13 each they are cheaper than the Hornby ones and in my opinion make a much nicer model than the Hornby offering. Prices are getting a bit out of hand these days, there are a number of reasons for this but with certain models such as the 0-4-0s and the old 4 Wheel coaches they are getting on quite a bit and the prices just don't make sense for them anymore. The fact that Hornby was able to produce a limited edition of Smokey Joe with extra details and higher quality paint job cheaper than the standard production model shows that they can sell these models cheaper.

Excellent advice on the second hand market...and always remember don't jump on the first listing on eBay. Be patient and scroll...

Nice little layout great fun it doesn't have to be massive!!😎🚂🚃🚃🇬🇧

This would be a nice starter in O gauge thankyou.

I've bought rakes of three of those four-wheeled coaches on eBay for around the £15 mark. There's always loads of them. The last set I bought was a Thomas The Tank Engine Annie and Clarabel and Clarabel for some reason.

Excellent series, whether for a beginner or a mode experienced modeler with limited space, time, and funds. It looks fantastic! Thanks also for the loco and rolling stock reviews - very helpful for someone from the colonies!

Hurrah! Again, thank-you!

great little layout,could be a small light railway that survived closure,as for prices this is my bugbear as i have stated before,you could one get an o9 shunter for a reasonable price,now this is over 90 pounds with dcc,sorry but i would rather have a cheaper model and use the gaugemaster controller with two wires to the track,it works,you are right it is pricing people out of the hobby.jpj

Some excellent advice, I have enjoyed the series.

I once got a 2-HAL unit for £64, it was an absolute steal!

i really enjoying your videos and bought couple engines second hand i got a liner 8477 with rolling stock for 96 dollars and friend of my at model railway club volunteer sold me Hornby liner 67702 engine for 80 and some track kits for 150 and thomas and friends engine set me back $73.00 and 10 shipping and annie crabel 50 dollars for 2 and 10 dollars shipping and i having lot of fun running them and checking ebay and asking friends of my selling locs and having lot of fun learning about hobby from you guys as well and i found some books on 3d printing my engines and rolling stock and my dad help me make set of couplers with 3d printer keep up good work. I agree with u second hand prices are stuipd but research is the key

This has been a fun series.

OK having watched this mini series, very enjoyable and informative thank you, I may resurrect my planned layout and dabble a bit further in the murky waters. I'm particularly interested in an n gauge set up and would like some advice regarding track comparability. Eg can you join bachman to picco or to Hornsby if they do n gauge for example? It there a track comparability reference available? I can see me going down the used eBay route for much of this. On a similar note what makes of rolling stock use compatible couplings? Loved the Bagnall loco, a delight if that was in n gauge I would by that first and build a layout just to suit it! Thanks for your time and efforts.

Fantastic looking layout. It reminded me of Bodiam or Northiam on the Kent and East Sussex Railway. Looking forward to seeing a running session on the layout.

Thanks v much for this little series of interesting and helpful videos. You've inspired me to finally, after lots of thinking but no doing, make a start on a similar small layout. Track, loco's and rolling stock from eBay, some spare carpet tiles to represent the track ballast and I hope to scratch-build the rest, so very much in BMR fashion :-)

Looking forward to seeing the running video, how do you guys clean your track? there is lots of cheap and expensive ways of doing it. Might make a interesting video?

The Dapol (ex Airfix GMR) 57' LMS coaches are currently available at good prices. There are both corridor and non-corridor coaches. They can be bought ready to run or as (pre-painted) kits which go together well.

Really enjoyed watching these videos, got to get them train sets out, 👍👍.

Funny enough I went to Carbforth Models Today for a few bits and bobs. Old Lima Mk 1 coach Burgandy in what I would call good condition for a tenner! New now for a MK1 coach that's exactly the same tooling it's £25/£35 which is just Silly. Also picked up some used card kit buildings for a quid each! £1 each!! Bit of re glueing here and there, some weathering and they'll look magic! A quid though!!! Anyone looking at the hobby really needs to get down to their local hobby store, brick and mortar and support them... Also The "ending" theme music for your videos, where can I get it?

Great vid cheers and very helpful and timely for me👍

Another great video, thank you. Just subbed in 😎

Excellent video. As you say worth keeping an eye on the sales. I recently got a new Bachmann C class for £55 when the RRP was £135 - which is way more than I'd ever pay.

I quite like the little Triang dock shunter but you’d have to look for one listed as running as they’re old. Also ebay does videos now so some of them you can see them run 👍🏻

Great video and a lot of common sense🙂👍

Hi Mike and Doug decent video as per always :) Like everything else this virus has put prices of items up,as they know people were bored and will pay it.Not only that you stick 'For Model Railways' on any item it also whacks the price up.Also if people are willing to pay high prices they will keep the prices up,and as you said it is a expensive interest.A tip for any newbie into this hobby is to always shop around,just because its on ebay doesn't mean its cheaper,in fact a lot of the items i buy are cheaper from Hattons etc,and many of the larger retailers have a second hand section.

A nice series. 👍🏻If you look around you can get some good bargains new, I've got new Oxford Rail wagons for £7.50 each. Sound advice on the second hand market it's getting close to new prices in some cases.

Another Gem of a video Mike. You commentate with great passion when you talk us through your great layouts & you & your son are great ambassadors for this fab hobby. As I am a total novice, if I get going on my own shunting, what’s the best & easiest method for uncoupling the wagons etc? Thanks👍

As of 2024, I miss when these were cheaper... Or even available brand new, as many were discontinued

The layout is coming along nicely well isn't it I presume

Yes you are right about 2nd hand prices, but still some good deals if your patient , I recently picked up a GWR large prairy tank for £24 including postage , and a class 14xx for £26 and airfix auto coach for £15 including postage, very good layout .

Bang on again

Very nice layout, excellent for beginners. It really sad that the rate prices rise I can see the point beginners will be unable to buy into the hobby shame on those that sell and pay these prices

Great video. on the coaches I’ve seen dapol/kitmaster lms/br coach kits for about £10 anyway love the layout keep up the the good work.

I've had a fair bit of luck the past couple of months, I got a bachmann pannier for £30 which is stunning and a hornby dean goods loco which is noisy but very smooth for £30 off ebay. It's not impossible but you do have to be patient.

Hi, Thanks for this series, it's really helped. I'm looking to build a small shunting layout for my son and I'm also a beginner. Did you make a video showing the layout in operation? I'd love to see the shunting possibilities... Thanks Graeme

A great bit of information for starters like me. You mentioned 'Plastic Rails' in Kent. Replayed it a couple, of time but been unable to find via google. Did I get the name wrong please? I found janestrains very good with an 0-6-0 recently and very helpful. A super condition and good runner.

Try buying LGB the most 25€ for a 2 axle coach no glass in the windows or same price for a open goods wagon new or second hand.

Hi me and my girlfriend have just got a class 55 denial model train for £26 is that a good price for a second hand train in n scale let me know

And buying a Loco that starts at 50€ second hand 2 axle and new I believe 100€ all weary simple locomotives

Hi Philip here I like your layout is it in 00 scale as me and my girlfriend are doing my railway layout similar but in n scale is that ok let me know

Could you do a video on operational potential please

In some places you can get 0.4.0 chassis for £10 and an 0.4.0 body for £5

Hi Philip here is your shunting layout in n scale or 00 scale let me know as me and my girlfriend are doing my railway layout similar

Agreed with your comment on the prices. Come on Hornby, GBP 18 for a 4 wheels coach that is far less complicated to manufacture than any Oxford Rail wagon sold GBP 10 brand new, with NEM coupling ang metal wheels ? You don't even have metal wheel on their 4 wheels coaches, and I am not speaking about couplings... As you said, the same as in the '70s, NO change in the molds and in the technology... I am a brand-new rolling stock buyer with a collector's twist, but enough is enough. Besides quality control and conception issues on some recent Hornby locomotives (S-15 and Wainwright H-4), you have skyrocketing prices on Bachmann wagons (a plank wagon for £20 is the norm for them, and I am not kidding) and, worse, on locomotives (RRP GBP 220 announced on the new V2 2-6-2 engine...). Anyway, when you see that a decent 3D printer costs GBP 500, you are seriously considering this alternative for having at least wagons. Couplers and wheels required, but if you get GBP 2/3 of those by wagon, that is something to consider... I had seen recently the prices of second hand on Ebay, it's a farce and nothing else. Thank you for the adresses, I will look at them.

Second hand is good but giving the situation train clubs want to open but not yet model fairs are the way to go

Second hand prices have gone silly. The surfeit of deltic types has skyrocketed but prices don't reflect the swamping of the market. Strangely, I've always found that class 08'and 09's still retain high values regardless of numbers on the market.

Hornby is ridiculous, they charge way to much in the UK but in the USA it's over priced by X100% one wagon can be 50$ plus shipping, so ebay is the last resort

Hello sir I want to know how are three wheels sets of an engine is fixed with the body

hi looks like a great layout hope you like mine diesel dave's

The prices of new make me wonder.

BMR, I have a old A4 a my nans house, and i dont know what it is but its from hornby. Would it be possible to show you after lockdowns over? through email or something like that.

Just letting everyone know sometimes if your lucky you can find an 0 4 0 for £10 or less at model railway shows

If you are using Dapol Wagon kits you really need to budget in the price of a pair of couplings and 2 pairs of wheels. The kit wheels are plastic and require gluing together accurately. I would not recommend using them. Likewise the couplings are not tension lock.

Coal Wagons with a white interior? You're into science fiction now.

New loco and rolling stock is ridiculously priced. And as stated the second hand stuff is getting worse. Manufacturers such as hornby would get far more business if they expanded their railroad series and reduced prices slightly. Small Rolling stock around the £8, larger around the £16. Small locos around the £25 and larger around the £50 mark. Far more people would expand there fleet and even start the hobby. A basic railroad flying Scotsman is £111, it’s just mind blowing. Considering I’ve grabbed a Bachmann super detailed class 4mt for £125.

Electrotren do cheap 0-6-0s that are brand new

But I do like your videos and I also would like to see manufacturers make cheaper locomotives with out dcc and sound fitted so that you can buy it and don't have to take a loan on your house

Well it you're complaining about the price of British prototype rolling stock, you don't even wanna look at American models! You can't get an accurail kit for less the $19, and most midrange RTR cars are $30-40. High end cars go as high as $50 for freight cars and $80-100 for passenger cars and longer freight cars like autoracks. Engines are worse... $150-200 for DC and $300 for DCC, and that's mid to high detail. I don't think there really are low end engines available anymore, and if there are they're still the same price as mid to high end models (looking at you Bachmann)

I carry a 9v battery with me and if the traders say it works I ask if I can test them, if they say yes I'll give them a try and if they work I buy. If the traders say no I walk away

The points changed from Hornby to peco

Just to say Kernow is said Ker-know ,just so you don’t annoy every Cornishman alive aha

after coming away from a video where a tuber who shall not be named replied to a comment where I stated that 125 pounds for an 0-4-0 and 2 wagons is not really a bargain and then linked your third video and he stated that his loco was far superior in detail and overall he still thought it was better than 20 year old mehanno locos. I was tempted to say ´I don´t care what detail your locos got, it´s still an 0-4-0 and the wagons are just wagons´ but I just deleted my comment instead (I think he was annoyed because I had shown him the other side of the hobby where you don´t need to be a millionaire to do it!) Another good company for wagons is oxford rail who usually sell them for around 8 quid so its cheaper than hornby and some even come weathered. One thing I´d also say is that keep an eye out for hornby train sets, (and lets not start discussing controllers or points) they tend to give you some accessories, a decent number of wagons, enough straight track for something like this and the locos tend to be in more sensible liveries, GWR, LMS and HR although personally I don´t have a problem with private ones, I just tend to come up with the backstory that the company who owned it went down the drain and now the branch line itself has purchased it. But most importantly, you forgot to recommend you own kits!

Yes, prices are a joke....I think now with 3D printing, manufacturers will face intense loss of their products

In my humble opinion, if you're going down the new route and spending £100+ on your stock for this layout, maybe be frivolous and get a small-medium sized super detail loco from the likes of Hornby, Oxford or Bachmann and settle for less wagons. If you only spend £80 on a loco, that still leaves a bit of room for old and second hand stock. I think the average person would get a lot more joy from an exciting, realistic, expensive piece of eye candy and a couple of wagons, rather than a cheapo budget loco and more wagons.